Top 6 Gustave Nadaud Quotes

Thy pardon, Father, I beseech, In this my prayer if I offend;
One something sees beyond his reach From childhood to his journey’s end.
My wife, our little boy Aignan, Have travelled even to Narbonne;
My grandchild has seen Perpignan; And I — have not seen Carcassonne...

The vicar’s right; he says that we Are ever wayward, weak and blind;
He tells us in his homily Ambition ruins all mankind;

They tell me every day is there Not more nor less than Sunday gay;
In shining robes and garments fair The people walk upon their way.
One gazes there on castle walls As grand as those of Babylon,
A bishop and two generals! What joy to be in Carcassonne! Ah! might I but see Carcassonne!

Yet could I these two days have spent, While still the autumn sweetly shone,
Ah, me! I might have died content When I had looked on Carcassonne.

Translated:
I’m growing old, I’m sixty years; I’ve labored all my life in vain.
In all that time of hopes and fears, I’ve failed my dearest wish to gain.
I see full well that here below Bliss unalloyed there is for none
My prayer would else fulfilment know — Never have I seen Carcassonne!

Je me fais vieux, j’ai soixante ans, J’ai travaillé toute ma vie, Sans avoir, durant tout ce temps. Pu satisfaire mon envie. Je vois bien qu’il n’est ici-bas De bonheur complet pour personne. Mon vœu ne s’accomplira pas: Je n’ai jamais vu Carcassonne!