"Le Vin" centers on the search for oblivion in drink and drugs. "Tableaux Parisiens" condemns the crushing effects of urban planning on a city's soul and praises the city's anti-heroes including the deranged and derelict. In "Spleen et idéal," Baudelaire dramatizes the erotic cycle of ecstacy and anguish-of sexual and romantic love. Charles Baudelaire's 1857 masterwork was scandalous in its day for its portrayals of sex, same-sex love, death, the corrupting and oppressive power of the modern city and lost innocence, Les Fleurs Du Mal (The Flowers of Evil) remains powerful and relevant for our time.
The complete French text is accompanied with an English translation by Richard Howard. Charles Baudelaire, tr.The bilingual, illustrated, and National Book Award-winning edition of Charles Baudelaire's masterpiece. But get drunk.Īnd if, at some time, on the steps of a palace, in the green grass of a ditch, in the bleak solitude of your room, you are waking up when drunkenness has already abated, ask the wind, the wave, a star, the clock, all that which flees, all that which groans, all that which rolls, all that which sings, all that which speaks, ask them what time it is and the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock will reply: 'It is time to get drunk! So that you may not be the martyred slaves of Time, get drunk get drunk, and never pause for rest! With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you choose!' So as not to feel Time's horrible burden that breaks your shoulders and bows you down, you must get drunk without ceasing.īut what with? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you choose. That's all that matters that's our one imperative need.
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