The poem is a classic form, called "rondeau", with only two rhymes and some repeated lines. In this setting Alain Jacques has substituted a new verse to replace two verses, making it more like a folk song with chorus and stanzas (the new verse is in square brakets). It may also make the poem more interesting in addressing the beloved instead of talking about a sandy beach! The original two verses were as follow: "Sous le flot dormant Soupirait la grève" (Under the sleeping waters The beach was sighing) It has been replaced with only 1 verse "Dis-moi, dormante Eve," (Tell me, sleeping Eve,)

The English rendition given here is remarkable as it keeps the 2-rhyme form; it was published by G. Schirmer _{New York in 1887.}