O lovely river of Yvette!   O darling river! like a bride, Some dimpled, bashful, fair Lisette,   Thou goest to wed the Orge's tide. Maincourt, and lordly Dampierre,   See and salute thee on thy way, And, with a blessing and a prayer,   Ring the sweet bells of St. Forget. The valley of Chevreuse in vain   Would hold thee in its fond embrace; Thou glidest from its arms again   And hurriest on with swifter pace. Thou wilt not stay; with restless feet   Pursuing still thine onward flight, Thou goest as one in haste to meet   Her sole desire, her head's delight. O lovely river of Yvette!   O darling stream! on balanced wings The wood-birds sang the chansonnette   That here a wandering poet sings.