La fille à cent sous [English translation]

At the time when I lived in utter poverty

Drunken, filthy, vile

Someone more of a drunkard than I, for a two farthing bit,

had sold me his wife.

When I'd put her to bed, when I wanted to give her a test run,

When I removed her skirt

It appeared to me then that I'd been fooled

In a sucker deal.

"Pack up your bones, my dear, and keep your charms,

You are far too skinny for me,

I like to live comfortably, I've no interest

In cuddling skeletons.

Go back to your husband, he can keep the two farthings,

I won't make any fuss about it."

But she replied to me, downcast,

"It's you that I prefer.."

"I'm not very big", she said, in a choked voice,

"But that's not my fault.."

Then I, quite moved, I took her onto my knees

To count her ribs.

"You I paid for two farthings for, tell me what's your name,

Your first name, your christian name?"

"My name is Ninette". "Well then, poor Ninon,

Cheer up, I love you."

And this nice bag of bones, that I'd not wanted any of,

Not even for a halfpenny,

Came into my heart, and would never leave it again

Even for a great fortune.

At the time when I lived in utter poverty

Drunken, filthy, vile

Someone more of a drunkard than I, for a two farthing bit,

had sold me his wife.