O fountain! Thou who springest like a staunchless blood. Thou who art cold as marble, but living, transparent and fluid. Thou, ever renewed and ever the same. Thou who makest living thy verdant banks, I love thee. Thou art my unrivalled goddess. Thou quenchest my thirst. Thou purifiest me. Thou murmurest to me thine eternal song which rocks me to sleep in the evenings.
THE FOUNTAIN
At the bottom of my little bed full of an Orient of gems, I hear thee with contentment, o poet whom I have enchanted. I recall Avallon where we might have lived, thou as the King Fisher and I awaiting thee under the apple trees. O islands of apple trees. But I am happy in my precious little bed. These amethysts are sweet to my gaze. This lapis-lazuli is more blue than a fair sky. This malachite represents to me a prairie. Sardonyx, onyx, agate, rock-crystal, you shall scintillate tonight, for I will give a feast in honor of my lover. I shall come alone as befits a virgin. The power of my lover has already been manifested and his gifts are sweet to my soul. He has given me his eyes all in tears, two adorable fountains, sweet tributaries of my stream.
CRONIAMANTAL
O fecund fountain, thy waters resemble thy hair. Thy flowers are born about thee and we shall love each other always.
Nothing could be heard but the song of birds and the rustling of leaves, and at times the plashing of a bird playing in the water.
A dandy appeared in the little wood: It was Paponat the Algerian. He approached the fountain dancing.
CRONIAMANTAL
I know you. You are Paponat who studied in the Orient.
PAPONAT