Charles Baudelaire
poet · Paris, France · 1821–1867
A poet of the streets of Paris and of boredom. His book The Flowers of Evil was put on trial for offending public morals as soon as it appeared.
Posts
1857
Hypocrite reader, my likeness, my brother!
Hypocrite lecteur,--mon semblable,--mon frère!
"To the Reader," in The Flowers of Evil
1859 · Of a great seabird that sailors catch for fun and set down on the deck
The Poet is like that prince of the clouds who haunts the storm and laughs at the archer; exiled on the ground, amid the jeering, his giant's wings keep him from walking.
Le Poète est semblable au prince des nuées Qui hante la tempête et se rit de l'archer; Exilé sur le sol au milieu des huées, Ses ailes de géant l'empêchent de marcher.
"The Albatross," in The Flowers of Evil
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