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Die schönste der Genzianen fand ich einsam erblüht Tief unten in kühler Waldschlucht O, wie sie durchs Föhrengestrupp heraufschimmerte Mit den blauen prächt'gen Glocken. Gewohnten Waldespfad komm ich Nun Tag um Tag gewandelt Und steige hinab in die Schlucht, Und blick' der schönen Blume tief ins Aug' Schöne Blume, was schwankst du doch Vor mir in unbewgten Lüften so scheu, so ängstlich? Ist denn ein Menschenaug' nicht werth Zu blicken in ein Blumenantlitz Trübt Menschenmundes Hauch den heil'gen Gottesfrieden dir, in dem du athmest? Ach, immer wohl drückt Schuld Drückt nagende Selbstanklage Die sterbliche Brust, und du Blume, Du wiegst in himmlischer Lebensunschuld die wunderbaren Kronen Doch blick' nicht all zu vorwurfsvoll mich an! Sieh, hab ich doch eines voraus bei dir: Ich habe gelebt: Ich habe gestrebt, Ich habe gerungen, ich habe geweint, Ich habe geliebt, ich habe gehasst, Ich habe gehofft, ich habe geschaudert. Der Stachel der Qual, des Entzückens hat in meinem Fleische gewühlt, Alle schaue des lebens und des Todes sind durch meine Sinne geflutet, Ich habe mit Engelchöre gespielt, ich habe gerungen mit Dämonen. Du ruhst, ein träumendes Kind am Mantelsaum des Höchsten, ich aber, Ih habe mich emporgekämpft zu seinem Herzen Ich habe gezerrt an seinem Schleiern Ich hab' ihm beim Namen gerufen Emporgeklettert bin ich auf einer Leiter von Seufzern, Und hab' ihm ins Ohr gerufen: "Erbarmung!" O Blume, heilig bist du, selig und rein; Doch heiligt, was er berührt, Nicht auch der zündende Schicksalsblitz? O blick nicht all zu vorwurfsvoll mich an, du stille Träumerin, Ich habe gelebt, ich habe gelitten.
Authorship:
- by Robert Hamerling (1830 - 1889) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Daniël de Lange (1841 - 1918), "Vor einer Genziane", op. 7, published 1881 [ low voice and piano ], Leipzig & Winterthur: J. Rieter-Biedermann [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Tom Kennedy) , "Before a Gentian", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Tom Kennedy
This text was added to the website: 2008-06-15
Line count: 38
Word count: 259
The fairest of Gentians I once found in bloom Deep down in a cool forest gully. Oh, how your beautiful blue bells Shone out through the pine branches. I have come to wander this familiar path Day after day, and climb down Into the gully: There I gaze deeply In the eye of the beautiful flower. Fair Flower, why do you bend from me So shyly, so anxiously in the still breeze? Is a human eye not worthy To look upon your flowery countenance? Does the breath of Man disturb The air of heavenly peace that you breathe? Ah! Guilt and nagging self-accusation Press ever on a mortal breast, Yet you, Flower, you cradle your wonderful crown In the innocence of heavenly life. Look not so reproachfully on me! I have gone further than you. I have lived: I have suffered; I have fought; I have wept; I have loved; I have hated; I have hoped; I have trembled. The thorn of torment, of rapture has twisted in my flesh All the thrills of life and death have flowed through my senses. I have played with hosts of angels, I have fought with demons. You rest, a dreaming child at the fringe of Heaven, yet I... I have fought my way up to His heart, I have tugged at His veil, I have called Him by name. I have climbed up on a ladder of sighs And have called in His ear, "Have mercy!" Oh flower! You are holy, blest and pure, As whatever He touches becomes holy. Not so with the burning touch of Fate's lightning? Look not so reproachfully on me you peaceful dreamer; I have lived, I have suffered.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by Tom Kennedy, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Robert Hamerling (1830 - 1889)
This text was added to the website: 2008-06-15
Line count: 38
Word count: 282