Petit cheval, qui m'es si cher, va promptement!
Mon pauvre cœur est dévoré par l'inquiétude:
J'aime une belle qui m'attend sous la chênaie.
Si je tarde elle entrera dans un couvent!
Petit cheval jamais lassé, toujours ardent!
Tel un éclair, franchis fossés, franchis fondières!
Mors écumant, mets aux rochers des étincelles!
Fais-moi revoir celle qui pense à moi souvent.
Petit cheval, je te promets bonne provende!
Hâte-toi donc! hâte-toi donc!
Au fond du val est sa chaumière,
Et je pressens que mon retard la fait mourir!
Petit cheval, n'arrive pas jusqu'à sa porte!
Un glas lointain à mon oreille a retenti.
Retournons-nous, pour fuir ce glas!
Ma mie! ma mie! ma mie est morte!
Little horse who are so dear to me, set off now!
My poor heart is devoured with worry:
I love a fair one who waits for me in the oak wood.
If I tarry she will join a convent!
Little horse, never weary, forever ardent,
like lightning, leap the ditches, bound over trenches!
foaming at the bit, put sparks on the rock!
Make me see again the girl who thinks so often of me.
Little horse, I promise you good provisions!
So make haste! Make haste!
In the bottom of the valley is her thatched cottage,
and I feel that my delay is making her die!
Little horse, does not get as far as her door!
A distant knell sounds in my ear.
Let us turn back to flee this knell!
My love! My love! My love is dead!
© translated by Christopher Goldsack
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