O lovely river of Yvette! br O darling river! like a bride, br Some dimpled, bashful, fair Lisette, br Thou goest to wed the Orge's tide. br br Maincourt, and lordly Dampierre, br See and salute thee on thy way, br And, with a blessing and a prayer, br Ring the sweet bells of St. Forget. br br The valley of Chevreuse in vain br Would hold thee in its fond embrace; br Thou glidest from its arms again br And hurriest on with swifter pace. br br Thou wilt not stay; with restless feet, br Pursuing still thine onward flight, br Thou goest as one in haste to meet br Her sole desire, her heart's delight. br br O lovely river of Yvette! br O darling stream! on balanced wings br The wood-birds sang the chansonnette br That here a wandering poet sings.