With the bright palpable shapes our song creates:

My flute, as loud as passion modulates,

Purges the common dream of flank and breast,

Seen through closed eyes and inwardly caressed,

Of every empty and monotonous line.

Bloom then, O Syrinx, in thy flight malign,

A reed once more beside our trysting-lake.

Proud of my music let me often make

A song of goddesses and see their rape

Profanely done on many a painted shape.