Table Of ContentFUROR
and
MYSTERY
& Other Writings
by RENE CHAR
Edited and translated by
MARY ANN CAWS
and NANCY KLINE
Introduction by
SANDRA BERMANN
Foreword by
MARIE-CLAUDE CHAR
Furor and Mystery & Other Writings
English translations ©2010 Mary Ann Caws and Nancy Kline. Black Widow Press edition and
arrangement ©2010. The French poems contained in this edition are reprinted by arrangment with
Editions Gallimard, Paris. All are ©2010 Editions GALLIMARD, Paris.
Black Widow Press thanks Florence Giry and Gallimard for working with us on this compilation.
Some of the English translations previously appeared in Selected Poems of Rene Char, New Direo
tions, 1992, and are reprinted by permission. Appreciative thanks to New Directions Publishing
Corp. for allowing us to reprint these translations.
nAnnouncing One's Namen by Rene Char, translated by Gustaf Sobin, from Selected Poems,
©1990, 1992 by Gustaf Sobin. Reprinted by permission of New Direclions Publi,hing Corp. Sales
lerritory: U.S., Canadian, & open marlcet rights anly. HA Trying Simplicity, u "Allegiance, u nAnnals, u
nArgument/ nArtlne/ nconvey," Hfvodne," "Homage and Famine/ "Invitation,# "Joyous," nlong
Live ... ,u .. Madeleine with the Vigil Lamp, n "Man Flees Suffocotion, n norion's Reception," "Penum
bra,• "Refusal Song,• uRemanence, n "Restore to Them ... ," "Shortcut," nThe Absent," "The Ado
lescent Chastised, n "The Crystal WheC1MOr •.. ," "The Extravagant One, H #The First Moments, u HThe
Lichens, H "The Nuptial Countenance,• "The Swift, u "Unbending Prayer, H uveterance," "Wrestlers, n
by Rone Char, tranalated by Mary Ann Cows, From Selected Poems, ©1992 by Mary Ann Caws.
Reprinted by permission of N-Directions Publishing Corp. Sales territory: U.S., Canadian & open
market rights only. "Frequency, n "From Moment to Moment," "In Love," nThe Consequences, n by
Rene Char, tranalated by Mory Ann Caws and Patricia Tarry, From Selected Poems, ©1992 by
Mary Ann Caws and Patricia Terry. Reprinted by permission of New Directions PubUshing Corp.
Sales territory: U.S., Canadian & open moriiet rights only. n Anoukis ond Later Jeanne," "lnebrio·
lion,'' "The Meteor of August 13th," "The Windowpane," ond "Why the Day Flies," by Rene Char,
translated by Nancy Kline, From Selected Poems, ©1992 by Nancy Kline. Reprinted by permission
of New Directions Publishing Corp. Sales territory: U.S., Conodian & open market rights only.
We wish to acknowledge ond thank the Hemingway Grant Program for its supporl. This work re
ceived support From the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cultural Services of the French
Embassy in the United Stales through their publishing assistance program.
a
Cet ouvrage publie dans le cadre du programme d'oide lo publication beneficie du soutien du
Ministere des Affoires Etrangeres et du Service Cultural de l'Ambossode de France represente aux
Etat1-Unis.
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ISBN-13: 978-0-9842640.2-5
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ................ -·············-·-······ .. ·············-··-········ ...................... -................................ - ........ 13
Foreword by Marie-Claude Char. .................... ·--··················-····················· ................................... 14
"Rene Char: Poet And Resistant" by Sandra Bermann .............. -............................... .18
FUREUR ET MYSTERE
FUROR AND MYSTERY
Bandeau de Fureur et Mystere I About Furor and Mystery (MAC) .. ···········-... 35
SEULS DEMEURENT I THEY ALONE REMAIN
Argument I Argument (MAC) .................................................. _. ............................................ __ ,. ......... 39
Conge au vent I In the Absence of Wind (PT) ............. -................................. -....................... 41
Violences I Violent Moments (MAC & PT) ............................. -....................................................... 41
La Compagne du vannier I The Basket-weaver's Love (MAC & PT) .................... 43
Frequence I Frequency (MAC & PT) ..................•..... ·-· . . . ···············-···· ......... --........... 43
Envoutement al a Renardiere I Bewitchment at the Refinery (MAC) .............. 45
La Jeunesse I A Youth (MACJ ..........................................................., ................... -.. -............................. 47
Calendrier I Calendar (NI<) .................................... -...........................................· -·····-· ........................ 49
Maison doyenne I Eldest House (NI<) ..........................................................................................4 9
Allegement I Alleviation (MAC) ............................................................................................................ 51
Anniversaire I Anniversary (MAC) ............ -.......................................................... _• .........•..•........... 51
Medaillon I Medallion (NK) ................................................... - ....................... -....................... _ ........... 53
Afin qu'il n'y soit rien change I So That Nothing Is Changed .55
(NJ<) _ ....•..........
Le Loriot I The Oriole (MAC) ...................................... _. . _ ......................................... -.......................... 59
Elements I Elements (MAC) ................................. ,. . _ ............................................................. ,-.,.,_,, ..... 61
Force clemente I Merciful Strength (MAC) .............- ... ·········--···· ·····--··········-······ .. ···-·63
Leonides I Leonides (NK) ..............................· -·························-····-·············-··················-····-·············63
Fenaison I Haymaking (MAC) ........ -... --··-·· .. ······ .. --···-.............................................. -..... -·-····· ... ,. ... 65
L'Absent I The Absent One (MAC) .................................................................. _ .............................. 67
L'epi de cristal egrene ... I The Crystal Wheat-ear... (MAC) ·-·--·-_ ......................6 9
Louis Curel de la Sorgue I Louis Curel de la Sorgue (MAC) .............. ____ ............... 71
Ne s'entend pas I Unheard (MAC) ................... _. ......................... -................... -................. --..........7 3
Le Devoir I Schoolwork (NK) _ ........... . . . .. .... . ........................... _. .. ,,_. ................ -....... 73
1939 Par la bouche de l'engoulevent I
1939 Through the Nightjar's Mouth (NK) ....................................................................7 5
Vivre avec de tels hommes I Living with Such Men (MAC) ... _ ............... -........... 75
L'Eclairage du penitencier I Prisonhouse Lighting (NI<) -----···. . ········---······--··· ..... ..77
Le Bouge de l'historien I Historian's Hovel (MAC) ......................... - ............ -............. 79
Chant du refus I Refusal Song (MAC) ...... -...................................... --·---.............................. _.81
Carte du 8 Novembre I Map of November 8 (MAC) ......................... - ..... -.................. 81
Plissement I Pleating (MAC) .................................................. -,.,. ........ -........................ -... -.,-........... 83
Hommage et famine I Homage and Famine (MAC)----·-·····-----................- .......... 85
La Liberte I Freedom (MAC&. NK) ................. _,, .............................................. -................................ 85
LE VISAGE NUPTIAL I THE NUPTIAL COUNTENANCE
Conduite I Convey (MAC) ................................... _ .............. - .............................................................. 89
Gravite: L'emmure I Gravity: Walled-in (MAC&. NK) ........................... -.......................... 91
Le Visage nuptial I The Nuptial Countenance (MAC)....... . . .......................9 5
Evadne I Evadne (MAC) .............. - ................................................. - ............................................. _ ... 101
Post scriptum I Post-scriptum {~.1.'\C) ............ ____ ,. .... ,. .. _. ..... -................... -...... _____ ... 103
PARTAGE FORMEL I FORMAL SHARE
Partage formel I Formal Share (MAC) ............ _ .............................................. ,• • -...................... 107
Mission et revocation I Mission and Revocation (MAC) ...... _ ...................... ,. ...... 129
FEUILLETS D'HYPNOS I LEAVES OF HYPNOS
Feuillets d'Hypnos I Leaves of Hypnos (NKJ ....................................................................... 133
La Rose de Chene I The Oaken Rose (NKl-------................................................................ 215
Hypnos Moon (NI<) .............................. -......................................................................................................... 216
(From Recflerche de la base et d11 sommet I Search for the Base and the Summit)
A Note on the Maquis (NK) ........... -.................. -............................... -........................... _ ....... -. .220
(From Recherche de la base et du sommet I Search for the Base and the Summit)
Le carnet d'Hypnos ... I The Hypnos Notebook (NK) ................................................. .223
(From Le Bilton de Rosier I The Rose-Tree Staff)
LES LOYAUX ADVERSAIRES I LOYAL ADVERSARIES
Sur le nappe d'un etang glace I On the Sheet of a Frozen Pool (MAC) ....... 227
Crayon du prisonnier I Prisoner's Pencil (NK) ........ -...............................................- .-.227
Un oiseau ... I A Bird ... (NI<) ......................... -......... - .............................................................. -...... 229
L'ordre legitime I The Legitimate Order (MAC) ............................. _ ................................. 229
Sur le valet d'une fenetre I On a Window Shutter (NK) ........................................... 231
Chaume des Vosges I Straw of the Vosges (MAC) ................................ _ ..... _ ...... -...... 231
Le Thor I Le Thor (NI<) .... -............. _ .................................................. _ .................................... - .... 233
Penombre I Penumbra (MAC) ......................... -............ _,, .............................................................. 233
Cur secessisti? I Cur secessisti? (MAC) .................................................... -........... ,_ ................. 235
Cette fumee qui nous portait ... I
This Smoke Which Carried Us (MAC) ............................................. - ........ _ ............... 235
La Patience I Patience (NI< & PT) ....... -........................ -.-........................ -................................ -237
Redonnez-leur I Restore to Them (MAC & NI<) .............................................. -................. 241
Dis ... I Say .. (NK) .................... -......... -........................... -................... -...................................... _.. ....... -241
LE POEME PULVERISE I THE PULVERIZED POEM
Argument I Argument (MAC) ............................................................................. -........................... 245
Les Trois soeurs I The Three Sisters (MAC) .............................................. -........... -......... 247
Biens egaux I Equal Shares (MAC & NKJ ....................................................................................... .253
Donnerbach Miihle I Donnerbach Miihle (NK) ..................................................... -......... 255
a
Hymne voix basse I Hymn in a Quiet Voice (MAC)_. ........................................... 257
J'habite une douleur I The Pain I Dwell In (MAC) ....................................................... 259
Le Muguet I Lily of the Valley (MAC) ............................................................................................ 261
Seuil I Threshold (NI<) ................................................................................................................................... 261
L'Extravagant I The Extravagant One (MAC)_. .............. -......................... -........... _. .......... 263
Pulverin I Coal Dust (MAC & PT),, ____ ,,, ....................................................... _ ................................ 265
Affres, detonation, silence I Torment, Detonation, Silence (NI()_, ___ ........... 265
Jacquemard et Julia I Jacquemard and Julia (MAC) ... _. ... _ ...................... -... -..........•. 267
Le Bulletin des Baux I Bulletin from Les Baux (NI<) ............................................. -....... 269
Le Requin et la Mouette I The Shark and the Seagull (MAC)... ........................... 271
Marthe I Martha (NK) ·--···-·--u·-·"'"""'''"'' ............... _.,_. ................................... _.. __ ................... .273
Suzerain I Liege Lord (Nl<l ...................................... -......................................... -..... _ ................. 275
A la sante du serpent I Here's to the Snake! (MAC) _ ............. - ................................... .279
L~ge de roseau I The Age of the Reed (MAC) ................................ _ .................. -..... _.287
a
Chanson du velours cotes I Corduroy Song (NI<J .... -· _ ..... _ .............................. 287
Le Meteore du 13 aout I The Meteor of August 13th (NKJ .......... _ ......... _ ......... 289
Lyre I Lyre (NI<J ... ., ... _. ..................... _ ..................................... -•. ,• . --.. ,. ....... _ .............................................. 293
LA FONTAINE NARRATIVE I THE NARRATIVE FOUNTAIN
Fa:.Les I A111hi.ls (MAC) ....................................................... -·-··-··· ................................... -........................... 297
La Sorgue I The Sorgue (NKJ ... _ ......................................... -.................. -................... -................. .299
Tu as bien fait de partir, Arthur Rimbaud! I
You Were Right to Leave, Arthur Rimbaud! (NKJ .. __ .................. -............... _. ......... 303
Les Premiers Instants I The First Moments (MAC) ................... -.................................. 303
Le Martinet I The Swift (PT) .................... -...... . .. ................................................. -....... 305
a
Madeleine la veilleuse I Madeleine with the Vigil Lamp (MAC) .... ____, .,..307
Aune ferveur be!!iqueuse I To a \l<farlike Ardor (MACJ____ ~09
Assez creuse I Enough (NI<) __ ,_ ___ ,.,_. .......... - ....... -................................................................... 311
Allegeance I Fidelity (MAC) I Allegiance (PTJ, .... ,. .......................................... -................... 313
OTHER WRITINGS
LE MARTEAU SANS MAITRE I THE HAMMER WITH NO MASTER
Artine I Artine (MAC).-....................................... _. ............................... _ .. _. ............................................ 319
Courbet: Les Casseurs de cailloux I
Courbet: The Stone-Breakers (MAC) ..• -.... - ... - ........ - ................................. ,. ....., . ...... 325
LES MATINAUX I THE MORNING ONES
Bandeau des Matinaux I About the Morning Ones (MAC) .................................... 329
Complainte du lezard amoureux I
Complaint of the Lizard in Love (PT) ............................................................. _ .................. 331
Qu'il vive! I Long live! (MAC) ............................................................................................................... 335
Montagne dechiree I Torn Mountain (NK) ............................................................................. 337
Le Carreau I Windowpane (NKJ ......................................................................................................... 339
L'Amoureuse en secret I The Woman Secretly in Love (NI<J .............................. 339
L'Adolescent soufflete I The Adolescent Chastised (MAC) ...................•..•............. 341
Anoukis et plus tard Jeanne I Anoukis and Later Jeanne (NK) .......................... 343
Recours au ruisseau I Recourse to the Stream CMAC). ............................................... ..345
Les Lichens I The Lichens (MAC) ................................................................................................ _ .. 345
LA PAROLE EN ARCHIPEL I THE WORD AS ARCHIPELAGO
Lettera Amorosa (NI<) ................................................................................................................................... 349
Lascaux I Lascaux (NK)
I. Homme-Oiseau mort et bison mourant I
Dead Bird-Man and Dying Bison ............................................................................ .357
II. Les Cerfs noirs I Black Stags ................................................................................. 357
III. La Bete innommable I The Unspeakable Beast ........................................ .359
a
IV. Jeune cheval la criniere vaporeuse I
Young Horse with Vaporous Mane ............................................. ---···. ........ 359
Transir I Chilled to the Bone ...................................................................................... .361
Quatre Fascinants I Four Who Fascinate (PT)
I. Le Taureau I The Bull ................................................................................................... -...... 363
II. La Truite I The Trout ......................................................................... -............................. .363
III. Le Serpent I The Snake ...................................................................................................... 365
IV. L'Alouette I The Lark ........................................................................................................... 365
La Minutieuse I The Meticulous One (NK) ............................................................................3 67
L'Inoffensif I The Harmless Man (MAC) .................................................................................... 369
Le Mortel Partenaire I The Mortal Partner (NI<) .................................................... -.... .371
Front de la rose I Forehead of the Rose (MAC & NKJ ...................................................... 373
Le Vipereau I Young Viper (NK) .......................................................................................................... 373
Marmonnement I Mumbling (MAC) ..... -........................................ _ .......... _ .............................. 375
Pour renouer I To Resume (NI<) ............................... - .... - ...................................................... 377
Invitation I Invitation (MAC)_. ............................ -.................... -....., ....................................... 379
Pourquoi la journee vole I Why the Day Flies (NK) ................................................... ..381
La Bibliotheque est en feu I The Library Is On Fire (MAC) .................................... 383
T. es Compagnons clans le jardin I
The Companions in the Garden (MAC) ....... -........... - ...................... _ .. __ ,,, .............. _ .. _. ... 393
Neuf merci pour Vieira da Silva I
Nine Thanks for Vieira da Silva (NK &. PT)
I. Les Palais et !es Maisons I Palaces and Houses ....................................... 401
II. Dans l'espace I In Space .................................................... -............ -.......................... 401
Ill. C'est bien elle I It ls Really She ....... -............ -................. -................ -........... 401
IV. La Grille I Grillwork ......................................................... - .................... -................ ..403
V. Les <lieux sont de retour I The Gods Have Returned ................... _,403
VI. Artine dans !'echo I Artine in the Echo ........................ _. . -.. _. ...................... 403
VII. Berceuse pour chaque jour jusqu'au dernier I
Lullaby for Every Day Until the Last .......................... -............. -,. . ----403
VIII. Aux miens I To Those Who Are Mine ... -.......... -.... - ............................ 405
IX. La Fauvette des roseaux I The Warbler in the Reeds ................ -.... 405
Sur une nuit sans ornement I On a Night without Ornament (MAC) .......... 407
La Route par les sentiers I The Road Beside the Paths (NK) .................... _ ........... 411
Declarer son nom I Declaring One's Name (NI<) ....... _ .. _ ......... _ .. ___ ...................... ..411
Traverse I Shortcut (MAC) ................................................................................. - .............. _ ....... ..411
Mnm: tnmhnn" I \XfP A rP F~lling tNI() ............... .413
Nous avons I We Have (MAC) ......................................._ ........................ _ ............................... 415
a
L'Eternite Lourmarin I Eternity at Lourmarin (MAC&. NK) ...... _ .. ,. .....................4 19
Les Dentelles de Montmirail I The Dentelles of Montmirail (MAC) ...........4 21
L'Allegresse I Joyous (MAC) ..... - ............................................. -........................................ -.............. 425
LE NU PERDU I NAKEDNESS LOST
Trace sur le gouffre I Traced Upon the Abyss (MAC) .......................................... _ .. _ .. 429
Mirage des aiguilles I Mirage of the Peaks (MAC) ........................................................... 431
Yvonne I Yvonne (MAC) .............................................................. _,,.,, .................................................... -.• 433
Le Nu perdu I Nakedness Lost (MAC) ........... -.................. _ .... _, __ ........... -....... -.......... ~ .. 435
Lutteurs I Wrestlers (MAC) .......................................................................................................................4 35
Le Gaucher I Left-handed (NK) ......................................................................................................... 437
Remanence I Remanence (MAC) ............................ -.-................. _.. ..... -............. _ .......................... 439
Permanent invisible I Permanent Invisible (PT) ..................................................... -.. -.... 439
Contre une maison seche I Against a Dry House (MAC) ........................................... 441
LA NUIT TALISMANIQUE / THE TALISMANIC NIGHT
Veterance I Veterance (NK) ..................................................................................................................... 453
L'Anneau de la licorne I The Ring of the Unicorn (MAC) ......... -.............................. 453
Eprouvante simplicite I A Trying Simplicity (MAC) .................................................... ..455
AROMATES CHASSEURS I AROMATIC HUNTERS
Reception d'Orion I Orion's Reception (MAC) ................. -..................... _ ...... _ ............. 459
Ebriete I Inebriation (NK) ........... ~ ................................................. ,-, ...................................... -......... -459
Note siberienne I A Footnote from Siberia (MAC & PT) ............................................... 4-61
CHANTSDELABALANDRANE I SONGSOFTHEBALANDRANE
Je me voulais evenement I I Wanted Myself to Be an Event (MAC) ............. ...465
En depit du froid glacial I Despite the Glacial Cold (MAC) .................................. ...465
LA FLOTE ET LE BILLOT, II I LA FLUTE AND THE BLOCK
Le Scarabee sauve in extremis I
The Scarab Saved at the Last Moment (MAC) .............................................................. 469
Le Reviseur I The Examiner (MAC) .... __. ........................ -............................................. -.......4 71
FEN!TRES DORMANTES ET PORTE SUR LE TOIT I
DORMER WINDOWS AND DOOR ON THE ROOF
Legerete de la terre I Lightness of Earth (MAC) ................................................................... 475
Recit ecourte I A Tale Cut Short (NKl ..................................................................................... ...475
Eprise I In Love (MAC & PT) ................ -................... -................................................................... 477
