Original Text

Quand ton sourire me surprit,
Je sentis frémir tout mon être;
Mais ce qui domptait non esprit,
Je ne pus d’abord le connaître.
Quand ton regard tomba sur moi,
Je sentis mon âme se fondre,
Mais ce que serait cet émoi,
Je ne pus d’abord en répondre.
Ce qui me vainquit â jamais,
Ce fut un plus douloureux charme,
Et je n’ai su que je t’aimais
Qu’en voyant ta première larme.

English Translation

When your smile caught me unawares,
I felt my whole being shiver;
But what was taming my spirit,
I did not at first know.
When your gaze fell on me,
I felt my soul melt;
But what this emotion was
I could not at first tell.
That which conquered me forever,
Was a more sorrowful charm,
And I only knew that I loved you
Upon seeing your first tear.

Translated by Christopher Goldsack