Translator’s Introduction
Prior to inaugurating a series of posts on Etteilla as seen by his peers, it would be remiss not to present one piece of curiosa, a musical score devoted to the praises of the great cartomancer himself, by two of his students. The lyrics, by one poetaster by the name of Messageot, accompanied the music of Madame Le Blanc, based on the tune of Dalayrac’s Nina. The tune in question may be heard here. The identity of these two students of Etteilla’s will be dealt with shortly, as will the background to this musical piece.
This music appeared in issue 12 of Etteilla’s journal, which is, in the words of Montague Summers, “of the last rarity.”
***
Etteilla ou le devin du siècle
Etteilla, or the Soothsayer of the Century
Madame Le Blanc, Mistress of the Harpsichord, Student of Rameau
Lyrics by Mr Meſageot, of Villenaux
ou
Le Devin du SiècleAvec accompagnement de ClavecinAir ! De Nina
J’ai perdu le plus tendre amant, l’ingrat a t-il une autre amie : ah !
Bientôt cet affreux tourment terminera ma triste vie,
Mais, pour s’instruire, mais pour s’instruire, on va, on va chez le fameux Etteilla, chez le fameux Etteilla.
2
Lise y court y vole Soudain
Cédant à l’espoir, à la crainte ….,
Tremblant, elle avoue au devin,
Les maux dont son âme est atteinte….
Bon jeune Lise, bon jeune Lise
À ça, à ça,
Écoutez bien Etteilla …. (bis)
3
Pour calmer la vive douleur
De cette amante désolée ….,
Le sage lui dit; la douceur
Vous aura bientôt consolée….,
Non jeune Lise, non jeune Lise,
Sans ça, Sans ça,
Plus d’amant, ni d’Etteilla….. (bis)
4
La Rose est la plus belle fleur;
De Zéphir elle est la maitresse….,
Jamais entr’eux la moindre aigreur,
La Rose est douce, elle intéresse….,
Oui soyez douce; Oui soyez douce,
Sans ça, Sans ça,
Plus d’amant, ni d’Etteilla….. (bis)
5
Ce conseil prudent est suivi
Et l’amant revient plus fidèle….,
Le malheur de Lise a servi
À la rendre plus digne d’elle….,
Quoi… jeune Lise, Quoi… jeune Lise,
On a, On a,
Son bonheur par Etteilla….. (bis)
***
ETTEILLA
Or
The Soothsayer of the Century
Accompanied on the Harpsichord
To the tune of Nina
I have lost the dearest lover, has that ingrate another girlfriend?
Soon this awful torment will end my sad life,
But, to instruct oneself, but, to instruct oneself, we go, we go, to the famous Etteilla, to the famous Etteilla.
2
Lise runs there, flies there, Suddenly
Giving in to hope, to fear,
Trembling she confesses to the soothsayer
The ills that afflict her soul
Good young Lise, good young Lise,
To that, to that
Listen well to Etteilla (x2)
3
To soothe the sharp pain
Of this saddened lover
The sage tells her, gentleness
Will soon have you consoled.
No, young Lise, no, young Lise,
Without which, without which,
No more lover, nor Etteilla (x2)
4
The Rose is the prettiest flower,
She is the mistress of Zephyr,
Never the slightest bitterness between them,
The Rose is gentle, she garners interest,
Yes, be gentle, yes be gentle,
Without which, without which,
No more lover, nor Etteilla (x2)
5
This prudent advice is followed,
And the lover returns, more faithful,
The sorrows of Lise have served
To make her more worthy of herself,
What, young Lise, what, young Lise,
We get, we get,
Our happiness through Etteilla (x2)
***
Traditional Tarot 