Le mouton de Panurge [English translation]

The arrow still lacks the fletching

That will guide it straight to her side

And in her heart, nothing is stirring

When she cedes to one of her knights

She mocks not a little the gondolas,

The starry-eyed, the gallant speech

The Venuses of the old school

Those who make love for love

Don’t believe now

That the devil stokes her carnal desires

He stops short at the first chakra

Her seventh heaven lies untouched

She never heaves a sigh

After reaching cloud nine

And views, with a curious eye, those

Who make love for pleasure

Nor should you think her love’s for sale

When one’s laid her on her spine

One is not obliged to disburse

For her presence a sumptuous gift so fine

Before attending the Bacchanalia

She offers not a single quote

And has nothing to do with these pretty miners

Those who make love for gold

But why on earth then does she give herself

Without heart, without gain, without pleasure

If love is not worth a banter

Why does she play the game at leisure

If any suitor, without pressing suit

Can help undo her gown

It’s because she wants to be in vogue

Because it’s à la mode, and she’s a snob

But customs change and lasses too

Perhaps one day, in her bare breast

Will be planted for the rest of her life

A little arrow gone astray

She’ll never be seen but in gondolas

She’ll go and play in turn

The Venuses of the old school

Those who make love for love

• Artist:Georges Brassens