English translations of Zwei Lieder nach Gedichten Friedrich Schillers, opus 44

by Robert Kahn (1865 - 1951)

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1. Nänie  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Kahn (1865 - 1951), "Nänie", op. 44 (Zwei Lieder nach Gedichten Friedrich Schillers) no. 1 (1905) [ voice and piano or orchestra ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auch das Schöne muß sterben! Das Menschen und Götter bezwinget,
Nicht die eherne Brust rührt es des stygischen Zeus.
Einmal nur erweichte die Liebe den Schattenbeherrscher,
Und an der Schwelle noch, streng, rief er zurück sein Geschenk.
Nicht stillt Aphrodite dem schönen Knaben die Wunde,
Die in den zierlichen Leib grausam der Eber geritzt.
Nicht errettet den göttlichen Held die unsterbliche Mutter,
Wann er, am skäischen Tor fallend, sein Schicksal erfüllt.
Aber sie steigt aus dem Meer mit allen Töchtern des Nereus,
Und die Klage hebt an um den verherrlichten Sohn.
Siehe, da weinen die Götter, es weinen die Göttinnen alle,
Daß das Schöne vergeht, daß das Vollkommene stirbt.
Auch ein Klaglied zu sein im Mund der Geliebten, ist herrlich,
Denn das Gemeine geht klanglos zum Orkus hinab.

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by Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805)
1.
Language: English 
 The beautiful, too, must die! That which subjugates men and gods
 does not stir the brazen heart of the stygian Zeus.
 Only once did love melt the Lord of Shadows,
 and just at the threshhold, he strictly yanked back his gift.
 Aphrodite does not heal the beautiful boy's wound,
 which the boar ripped cruelly in that delicate body.
 Neither does the immortal mother save the divine hero
 when, falling at the Scaean Gate, he fulfills his fate.
 She ascends from the sea with all the daughters of Nereus,
 and lifts up a lament for her glorious son.
 Behold! the gods weep; all the goddesses weep,
 that the beautiful perish, that perfection dies.
 But to be a dirge on the lips of loved ones can be a marvellous thing; 
 for that which is common goes down to Orcus in silence.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.


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Translation of titles "Nänie" = "Elegy"
"Nenie" = "Elegy"

Translator's notes.
Title: Nänie, or Nenie, means a funeral song or elegy, after the Roman goddess Nenia.
Line 2: the "stygian Zeus" is an epithet for Hades or Pluto.
Line 14: "Orcus" is the god of the underworld, or the underworld itself; sometimes conflated with Hades.


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 140

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Der Abend  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Kahn (1865 - 1951), "Der Abend", op. 44 (Zwei Lieder nach Gedichten Friedrich Schillers) no. 2 (1905), published 1905
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Senke, strahlender Gott, die Fluren dürsten
Nach erquickendem Tau, der Mensch verschmachtet,
  Matter ziehen die Rosse,
    Senke den Wagen hinab!1

Siehe, wer aus des [Meers]2 krystallner Woge
Lieblich lächelnd dir winkt! Erkennt dein Herz sie?
  Rascher fliegen die Rosse.
    Thetys, die göttliche, winkt.

Schnell vom Wagen herab in ihre Arme
Springt der Führer, den Zaum ergreift Kupido,
  Stille halten die Rosse,
    Trinken die kühlende Flut.

[An]3 dem Himmel herauf mit leisen Schritten
Kommt die duftende Nacht; ihr folgt die süße
  Liebe. Ruhet und liebet!
    Phöbus, der Liebende, ruht.

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View original text (without footnotes)
1 Krufft adds here: "Strahlender Gott, senk ihn hinab!"
2 In some editions, "Meeres"
3 Brahms: "Auf"

by Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805)
2. Evening
Language: English 
Sink, beaming God; the meadows thirst
for refreshing dew, Man is listless,
  the horses are pulling more slowly:
    the chariot descends.1

Look who beckons from the sea's crystal waves,
smiling warmly! Does your heart know her?
  The horses fly more quickly.
    Thetis, the divine, is beckoning.

Quickly from the chariot and into her arms
springs the driver. Cupid grasps the reins.
  The horses come silently to a halt
    and drink from the cool waters.

In the sky above, with a soft step,
comes the fragrant night; she is followed by sweet
  Love. Rest and love!
    Phoebus, the amorous, rests.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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:

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Krufft adds a line that can be translated "Beaming God, descend!"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 100

Translation © by Emily Ezust