VERLAINE Paul (1844 - 1896)

VERLAINE Paul (1844 - 1896)
Autograph POEM signed "Paul Verlaine," Elegies IX, [1893]| 2 pages large in-8 on the back of administrative paper of the Public Assistance (window mount).
Long love poem, collected in Elégies.
Numbered VII in ink, then IX in pencil, the poem is indeed the ninth of the Élégies (Vanier, 1893). It has 66 lines, as Verlaine counted them in the margin. Carefully cleaned up in black ink on hospital paper, the manuscript presents some erasures and corrections, including a completely cancelled line, and variants with the edition.
"You are so much a part of myself, Or rather I am so much a part of you that I love
So! that I have come to confide in you, Or, better, that you perceive, without me, to invite you.
The darkest secrets of my intelligence [...]
And then, and then the flesh goes, strong and the spirit slow.
Not more than the intellect the blood is somnolent.
Two beautiful eyes, contours, these sounds, a step
Too soon capsized my poor ark
And the shipwreck was total and still lasts
And you yourself are one of the waves of the scene
Terrifying (just) where the drama sank
Of my life and which can be called: By the Woman! [...]
Your advice is the only one, you win my fights, And the gaiety of your white and brown and pink body
absolves me of everything in such our apotheosis".