She draws near the town and there the metamorphosis takes place.

Fretted are her hips by the rough stone of the quay,

Her breast is a thicket of rugged hair

And black with the coal, which mingled with sweat,

Has turned the nymph to a stevedore wet.

And below is the dock

For the coke.[4]

[4] La pierre du quai dur lui rabote les hanches,

Sa poitrine est hérissée d’un poil rude,

Et noire de charbons, que délaye la sueur,