1. Why do I call, O joy of my heart
For so long, yet you do not answer my call

2. Have you forgotten, after our long separation
When we were together, like two camels harnessed side-by-side?

3. You opened to me the gardens of your beauty
With meadows of passion and lovely streams

4. With breeze refreshing my soul for a time
And sights delighting my roving gaze

5. Will you not return, O Latin quarter
To cure the longing of this heartsick one?

6. Paris did not hide herself from her loyal visitors
Except to increase the torment of those who pine for her

7. She adds feast upon feast to her holidays
For are not Paris' days naught but holidays?

8. She smiles down benevolently from her heights
Bestowing fortune and joy upon her guests

9. Never can the tyrant's hammer
Destroy the edifice of splendid civilization

10. They said its embers faded into ashes
Now ask the scattered ashes about its sparks

11. God, the ember of heroism
Has increased its heat beyond custom

12. They deemed them sheep, when lions they became
For a time ruling over them, after losing their shepherd

13. Until the time of reckoning came, separating
The sheep from the lions in their den

14. So the invader realized, though he knew not
That the native had been lying in wait

15. They planted, like tent pegs, the hope of its growth
Yet tent pegs do not blossom into trees

16. Each had been so certain before
Despite dissuasion and discouragement

17. Until the time came for them to meet
As though they had planned their rendezvous

18. Hardships are but whetstones for strong wills
Especially when they exceed all expectations

19. More wondrous to behold after sharpening
Is the sword, sweeping the heads off bodies

20. May the Merciful never deprive you, O
Mother of cities, beloved of children, of His gaze