Ton Rire
I love the hardness of your bursting laughter,
When it breaks forth strong and demanding as it peals,
With a sudden stop, a little metallic,
Mingling a tone that is rough and then ironic.
It resonates like the song of the lark
when it separates Romeo and Juliette
A promise only of sun, ardor, of day
and mortals who know nothing of sad loves.
Your laughter is a challenge thrown to the crowd
That tramps along the worn path flowing
Unaware of songs, of noises and light
Envious of other souls more free and proud.
Your fresh and joyful laughter I love it all the more
If others have that wild look to it
I alone know tumultuous hours
Your laughter melted into amorous moans
And murmuring tender words in the darkness
Sweet and plaintive words, or deep as sobs
Bursting from your ardent heart. And yet
I love the hardness of your bursting laughter.
Lucie ("Ton Rire") and Renée ("Ondine") also wrote about the same laugh.
Source: Transcribed in Francesco Rapazzini, "Élisabeth de Gramont, Natalie Barney's 'eternal mate'." South Central Review 22.3, 2005.
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