This poem is taken from PN Review 174, Volume 33 Number 4, March - April 2007.

Jardin Anglais: a Malentendu for Two Voices

Stephen Romer

           'Les galeries du cloître, la chapelle aux ogives élancées, la
           tour féodale et le petit château qui abrita les
           amours de Henri IV et de Gabrielle se teignaient des
           rougeurs du soir sur le vert sombre de la forêt.'

            'Vous êtes une nymphe antique qui vous ignorez...'
                                                                       Gerard de Nerval, Sylvie


Et Chenonceaux, Mesdames, c'est surtout le château de l'amour adultère!

Inside the house, I preserve my space,
I dart into doorways and linger in stairwells.
When they walk overhead in the airy chambers
I'm below stairs among the roasting spits.
I left him showing a dubious Correggio,
and three nubile graces with boudoir eyes.
At least it keeps his mind off me.
I pass through a gallery of swords and pikes.
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