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An vollen Büschelzweigen

Posted by Illuci (Hurdegaryp, Netherlands) on 19 September 2007 in Plants & Nature and Portfolio.

First in English, then in German (original by Goethe (1749-1832). In the translation I had to make big concessions to rhyme and rhythm because of my lack of English skills; only a master in English with poetic competence could make an acceptable translation that approaches the poetic content of the original.

English (translated from German original):

On twigs, with bunches overloaded,
My love, look upwards, there!
Let show to you the fruits, still covered
In green and prickly husks.

They hang there clenched for so long,
Silent, unaware that they exist,
A branch, while waving, wobbling,
Is rocking them so patiently.

But yet, inside, it’s ripening bit by bit,
And slowly swells its dark-brown core,
For space and air intens’ly craving,
Would so much love to see the sun.

The husk breaks open and once
Down, it frees itself delightfully;
Just like that, my songs will drop
And heap themselves onto your lap.

German (orginal by Goethe 1749-1832)

An vollen Büschelzweigen,
Geliebte, sieh nur hin!
Laß dir die Früchte zeigen,
Umschalet stachlig grün.

Sie hängen längst geballet,
Still, unbekannt mit sich;
Ein Ast, der schaukelnd wallet,
Wiegt sie geduldiglich.

Doch immer reift von innen
Und schwillt der braune Kern,
Er möchte Luft gewinnen
Und säh' die Sonne gern.

Die Schale platzt, und nieder
Macht er sich freudig los;
So fallen meine Lieder
Gehäuft in deinen Schoß.
(J.W. von Goethe)

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