by Gisbert, Freiherr von Vincke (1813 - 1892)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Abschied von der Welt
 (Sung text for setting by R. Schumann)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the French (Français) 
Our translations:  DUT ENG
Was nützt die mir noch zugemess'ne Zeit?
    Mein Herz erstarb für irdisches Begehren,
    Nur Leiden soll mein Schatten nicht entbehren,
    Mir blieb allein die Todesfreudigkeit.

Ihr,  ...  Feinde, lasst von eurem Neid:
    Mein Herz ist abgewandt der Hoheit Ehren,
    Des Schmerzes Uebermaß wird mich verzehren,
    Bald geht mit mir zu Grabe Haß und Streit.

Ihr Freunde, die ihr mein gedenkt in Liebe,
    Erwägt und glaubt, daß ohne Kraft und Glück
    Kein gutes Werk mir zu vollenden bliebe.

So wünscht mir bess're Tage nicht zurück,
    Und weil ich schwer gestrafet werd' hienieden,
    Erfleht mir meinen Theil am ew'gen Frieden.

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

  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Afscheid van de wereld (Fotheringhay)", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Farewell from the world", subtitle: "By Mary Stuart. [original in] French.", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Ted Perry , Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2003-11-14
Line count: 14
Word count: 100

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Of what use is the time still allotted to me?
    My heart is dead to all earthly desires,
    My spirit is replete with suffering,
    All that remains to me is looking forward to death.

You,  ...  enemies, leave off your envy:
    My heart has turned away from the honours of a high station,
    An excess of pain shall consume me,
    Soon hate and contention shall pass with me into the grave.

You friends who remember me lovingly,
    Reflect and believe that without strength and good fortune
    No good work remains for me to complete.

So do not wish for the return of better times for me,
    And since I am being sorely tried here on earth,
    Beseech God to grant me my portion of eternal peace.

Subtitle: "By Mary Stuart. [original in] French."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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: 2015-03-20
Line count: 14
Word count: 127