Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Schon war die letzte Schwalbe fort Und wohl seit manchen Tagen auch Die letzte Rose abgedorrt, Nach altem Erdenbrauch. Es flimmerte der Buchenhain Wie Rauschgold rot im Abendlicht; Herbstsonne gibt gar sondern Schein, Der in die Herzen sticht. Ich traf sie da im Walde an, Nach der allein mein Herz begehrt, Mit Tuch und Hut weiß umgetan, [Von güldnem]1 Schein verklärt. Sie war allein; doch grüßt' ich sie Verschüchtert kaum im Weitergehn, Weil ich so feierlich sie nie, So still und schön, gesehn. Es blickt aus ihrem Angesicht Ein vornehm' Etwas neu hervor, Und ihrer Augen Veilchenlicht Glomm hinter einem Flor. Ein fremder Hirt, ein blasser, ging Im Schatten dieser Huldgestalt; Im Gurt ein silbern Sichlein hing, Das klang: ich schneide bald! Es scheint mir ein Rival erwacht! Sprach ich und schaut' in's Abendrot, Bis es erlosch und bis die Nacht Die dunkle Hand mir bot.
Confirmed with Gesammelte Gedichte von Gottfried Keller, Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz (Bessersche Buchhandlung), 1883, page 80; other versions exist.
1 Sommer: "Vom güldnen"
Text Authorship:
- by Gottfried Keller (1819 - 1890), "Die Begegnung" [author's text checked 1 time 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 Hans August Friedrich Zincke genannt Sommer (1837 - 1922), "Die Begegnung", op. 16 no. 7 (1891), published 1893 [ medium voice and piano ], from [Sieben] Gedichte von Gottfried Keller für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte, no. 7, Leipzig, C. F. Leede [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "L'encontre", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The meeting", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "La rencontre", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2006-12-23
Line count: 28
Word count: 147
The last swallow had already departed And several days ago as well The last rose had withered and fallen, After the old customs of the earth. The beech forest shimmered Like gold foil in the evening light; Autumn sunshine has unusual beams That stab into hearts. I met her there in the forest, She, whom alone my heart desires, Shrouded white with a scarf and hat, Transfigured by the golden light. She was alone, but shyly I barely greeted her in passing, Because I had never seen her looking So solemn, still and beautiful. From out her countenance A stately something showed forth, And the violet light of her eyes Shone behind a veil [of tears]. A shepherd, whom I did not know, a pale lad Walked in the shadow of this figure of loveliness; In his belt a silver sickle hung That sang out: I shall soon reap! It seems that a rival has appeared! I spoke, and gazed into the evening glow Until it faded and until the night Offered me its dark hand.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Gottfried Keller (1819 - 1890), "Die Begegnung"
This text was added to the website: 2014-04-15
Line count: 28
Word count: 176