Entertainment Music "Fantaisie Aux Divins Mensonges" Lyrics and Translation Gérald's Aria from the first act of Delibes' Opera, Lakmé Share PINTEREST Email Print Hulton Archive/Getty Images Music Classical Music Lyrics Basics Operas Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Aaron Green Music Expert B.A., Classical Music and Opera, Westminster Choir College of Rider University Aaron M. Green is an expert on classical music and music history, with more than 10 years of both solo and ensemble performance experience. our editorial process Aaron Green Updated December 08, 2017 In the first act of Leo Delibes' famous opera, Lakme, two British officers, Gérald and Frederic, and their fiancés are picnicking near the riverbank in a city in India. As they lazily stroll down a garden path, the two women spot several elegant pieces of jewelry placed on a nearby bench. The women beg their fiancés to draw a picture of jewels in order to have them replicated when they return home to England. Gérald agrees to complete the task, since Frederic offers absolutely no help, and the others continue on their walk. As Gérald carefully studies each piece and makes his sketches within his notebook, wondering what type of woman could wear such jewelry. We hear the jewels' owners approaching, he panics and hides in the nearby shrubbery. When the two women, Lakmé and her servant Mallika, appear, Gérald is instantly captivated by Lakmé's beauty. When Mallika leaves, Lakmé stays behind to ponder. After a few moments, she realizes she is being watched strange man and immediately shouts for help. When Gérald presents himself to her and apologizes for frightening her, she, too, is captivated by his beauty. When she learns that he is a British officer, she tries to send him away because if he is caught, her father (the High Priest of the Brahmin Temple) will likely kill him. Gérald is unaware that he has trespassed onto sacred grounds. Before help arrives, Lakmé instructs Gérald to hide again so she can send them away. Once they depart, Gérald and Lakmé confess that they'd like to see each other again, but Lakmé orders him to stay far away from her. Though her warning does not appear to have influenced Gérald, she leaves. To discover how the story unfolds, read the Lakmé Synopsis. French Lyrics Prendre le dessin d'un bijou,Est-ce donc aussi grave?Ah! Frédéric est fou!Mais d'où vient maintenant cette crainte insensée?Quel sentiment surnaturelA troublé ma penséeDevant ce calme solennel!Fille de mon caprice,L'inconnue est devant mes yeux!Sa voix à mon oreille glisseDes mots mystérieux.Non! non! Fantaisie aux divins mensonges, tu reviens m'égarer encor.Va, retourne au pays de songes,O fantaisie aux ailes d'or!Va! va! Retourne au pays des songes.O fantaisie aux ailes d'or! Au bras poli de la païenneCette annelet dut s'enlacer!Elle tiendrait toute en la mienne,La main qui seule y peut passer!Ce cercle d'orJe le suppose,A suivi les pas voyageursD'un petit pied qui ne se poseQue sur la mousse ou sur les fleurs.Et ce collier encor parfumé d'elle,De sa personne encor tout embaumé.A pu sentir battre son coeur fidèle,tout tressaillant au nom du bien aimé.Non! Non! Fuyez!Fuyez, chimères.Rêves éphémèresQui troublez ma raison.Fantaisie aux divins mensonges,Tu reviens m'égarer encor.Va, retourne au pays des songes,O fantaisie aux ailes d'or. English Translation Take a picture of a jewel,Is it so serious?Ah! Frederic is crazy!But from where is this senseless fear coming?What supernatural senseHas disturbed my thoughtsBefore that solemn calm!Daughter of my whim,The unknown is before my eyes!The voice of Fear in my ear slidesMysterious words.No! No! Fancy the divine lies, you come back to me astray.Go, return to the land of dreams,Fly away with golden wings!Go! Go! Return to the land of dreams.Fly away with golden wings! The polished arm of a paganThis annulet has to hug!As it would mine,The hand can only go there!This circle of goldI suppose,Adorns the ankle of no traveler,From a small foot that arisesAs moss or flowers.And again a fragrant necklace from her,She is a person still completely embalmed.My faithful heart feels drawn to her,But I am already engaged.No! No! Run away!Flee, chimeras.Ephemeral dreamsWhich troubled my reason.Fancy the divine lies,You come back to me astray again.Go, return to the land of dreams,Fly away with golden wings. More Aria Translations Lakmé's aria "The Bell Song" sung in Act 2 of Delibes' Opera, LakméLakme and Mallika's Duet "The Flower Song" sung in Act 1 of Delibes' Opera, LakméFigaro's Aria "Non più andrai" from Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro