by Karl von Levetzow (1871 - 1945)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Abschied
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
Aus den Trümmern einer hohen Schönheit
Laß mich bauen einen tiefen Schmerz.
Weinen laß mich aus den tiefsten Schmerzen
Eine Träne, wie nur Männer weinen.
Und dann geh!

Und nimm noch ein Gedenken heißer Liebe,
Freudig dir geschenkt;
Ewig mein bleibt, was du mir gelassen;
Meiner Wehmut sternloses Dunkel.
Und dann geh!

Und laß mich stumm erstarren;
Du zieh fürder deine helle Bahn,
Stern der Sterne! frage nicht nach Leichen!

Sieh', mir naht der hehr'ste Göttertröster,
Meine selbstgebor'ne Urgewalt.
Tief in mir die alte Nacht der Nächte
Weitet sich zur großen Weltumnachtung.
Der Alleinheit schwere Trümmer,
Schmerzen wachsen, wachsen zur Unendlichkeit.

Sieh! Ich selber werde Nacht und Schönheit.
Allumfassend unbegrenztes Weh!
Ziehe weiter, heller Stern der Sterne.
Unerkannt, wie meine große Liebe;

Dunkel schweigend, wie die großen Schmerzen,
Wo du wendest, wo du siegend leuchtest,
Stets umwogt dich meine große Nacht!

Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Parting", copyright © 2023


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 26
Word count: 141

Parting
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
From the wreckage of a sublime beauty
Let me build a profound pain.
From the deepest sorrows let me shed
One tear, as only men weep.
And then go!

And take then a remembrance of passionate love,
Joyfully given to you;
What you left me remains eternally mine;
The starless darkness of my melancholy.
And then go!

And let me silently grow numb
While you continue on your shining course,
Star of stars! Ask not after corpses!

See! The most sublime solace of the gods draws closer,
My self-born, primal power.
Deep within me the ancient night of nights
Widens into vast, world-engulfing desolation.
From the heavy ruins of loneliness
Pain swells, reaching into eternity.

See! I myself become night and beauty.
All-embracing, unlimited woe!
Continue onward, bright star of stars.
Unrecognized, like my great love;

Darkly silent, like my great sorrows,
Wherever you turn, wherever you shine triumphantly,
My enormous night will always surround you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


Based on:

 

This text was added to the website: 2023-07-09
Line count: 26
Word count: 156