English translations of Zwei Lieder, opus 53

by Joseph Christoph Kessler (1800 - 1872)

1. An ihr Auge
 (Sung text)
by Joseph Christoph Kessler (1800 - 1872), "An ihr Auge", op. 53 no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
   Du wunderbares Räthsel,
Sprich, was bedeutest Du?
Du deckest selbst geöffnet
Ein süß Geheimniß zu.
 
   Du kühle Meerestiefe,
O sprich, was in Dir ruht?
Du goldne Flammenquelle,
Woher die ew'ge Gluth?
 
   In Dir erglänzt die Sonne,
Und doch ist's in Dir Nacht!
Die Sterne leuchten helle
Zugleich mit Mondespracht!
 
   Von Liebe und von Sehnsucht
Sprichst Du wohl allzumal;
Das Licht ist Deine Rede,
Und jedes Wort ein Strahl!
 
   An solchen süßen Worten
Lies't wohl kein Mensch sich satt,
Ob auch von Allen Keiner
Dich ganz verstanden hat.

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Confirmed with: Gedichte von Heinrich Wenzel, Glogau: Druck und Verlag von C. Flemming, 1836, pages 25-26

Note for stanza 2, line 4, word 2: in Kessler's score, the word "du" appears instead of "die", but this is probably a misprint.

by Heinrich Wenzel
1. To her eyes
Language: English 
   You wondrous enigma,
Speak, what do you mean?
Even when open you conceal
A sweet secret.
 
   You cool depth of the ocean,
Oh tell me, what rests within you?
You golden well-spring of flames,
Whence comes your eternal glow?
 
   Within you the sun rises in radiance,
And yet it is night within you!
The stars shine brightly
Together with the splendour of moonlight!
 
   Of love and of longing
You speak indeed at the same time;
Light is your speech,
And every word is a beam!
 
   In these sweet words,
Likely no one can read his fill,
Even though no one among all people
Has completely understood you.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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.
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This text was added to the website: 2016-07-27
Line count: 20
Word count: 108

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen
 (Sung text)
by Joseph Christoph Kessler (1800 - 1872), "Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen", op. 53 no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen,
und ich glaubt', ich trüg' es nie;
und ich hab' es doch getragen -
aber fragt mich nur nicht, wie?

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Poem headed with An Carl v. U Ins Stammbuch
by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. At first I almost despaired
Language: English 
 At first I almost despaired,
 and I thought I would never be able to bear it;
 yet even so, I have borne it -
 but do not ask me how.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 4
Word count: 30

Translation © by Emily Ezust