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 g… - Gustave Nadaud

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...

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.