Elements of dance pervade the work of Jules Massenet. That influence is clearly evident in his song "Nuit d'Espagne" (Spanish night). The poet is Louis Gallet, who also served as librettist for several of the composer's operatic works, including Le Roi de Lahore and Thaïs. The music derives from the ballet movement of an orchestral suite by the composer entitled "Scènes pittoresques." The dance rhythms and guitar-like piano accompaniment evoke images of Spain. The poet longs for his beloved and sees in all aspects of nature the fact that the time of love has arrived.

L'air est embaumé L nuit est sereine Et mon âme est pleine de pensers joyeux; Ô bien aimée, viens! Ô bien aimée, Voici l'instant de l'amour!

Dans les bois profonds, où les fleurs s'endorment, Où chantent les sources; Vite en fuyons nous! Vois, la lune est claire et nous sourit dans le ciel Les yeux indiscrets ne sont plus à craindre Viens, ô bien aimée! La nuit est sereine, apaise mon coeur! C'est l'heure d'amour! C'est l'heure! Dans le sombre azur, Les blondes étoiles Ecartent leur voiles pour te voir passer, ô bien aimée! Ô bien aimée: Viens, o bien aimée, Voici l'instant de l'amour! Jai vu s'entr'ouvrir ton rideau de gaze. Tu m'entends, cruelle, et tu ne viens pas! Vous, la route est sombre sous les rameaux enlacés! Cueille en leur splendeur Tes jeune années, Viens! car l'heure est brève, Un jour effeuille les fleurs du printemps! La nuit est sereine, apaise mon coeur! Viens ô bien aimée! C'est l'heure d'amour! C'est l'heure!

The air is scented, The night is serene And my soul is filled with thoughts of joy; O come, my love! O come, my love, It is the moment of love!

Deep in the forest, where the flowers are sleeping, Where the springs sing; Quickly let us go there! Look, the moon is clear and smiles at us from the heavens No need to fear inquisitive eyes Come, my love, the night protects your blushing brow! The night is serene, calm my heart! It is the hour of love! It is the hour! In the deep blue sky, The shining stars Lift their veils so that I can see you pass by, O my love! It is the moment of love! I have seen your partially opened gauze curtain. You can hear me, cruel one, but you do not come! The way is dark beneath the intertwined branches! Harvest in their splendor the years of your youth! Come! for the hour is brief, The spring flowers blossom for a single day! The night is serene, calm my heart! Come, O my love! The night is serene, calm my heart! It is the hour of love! It is the hour!

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