Sonett XIX: Wenn ich bedenke, wie mein Licht verblich | Wenn ich bedenke, wie mein Licht verblich

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by John Milton (1608 - 1674)

Translation © by Walter A. Aue

When I consider how my life is spent

(Sung text for setting by G. Finzi)

See original

Language: English

Our translations: GER ITA

When I consider how my life is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask; But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at His bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait."

Composition:

Gerald Finzi

Two Sonnets

Text Authorship:

by John Milton (1608 - 1674), "Sonnet XIX"

See other settings of this text.

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

GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Walter A. Aue) , "Sonett XIX: Wenn ich bedenke, wie mein Licht verblich", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
HUN Hungarian (Magyar) (Árpád Tóth) , "A vak szonettje"
ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2008-01-08
Line count: 14
Word count: 114

Sonett XIX: Wenn ich bedenke, wie mein Licht verblich

(Sung text translation for setting by G. Finzi)

See original

Language: German (Deutsch) after the English

Wenn ich bedenke, wie mein Licht verblich
zur Lebensmitte schon in dunkler Welt;
und das Talent, dess' Muße Tod enthält,
liegt ungenützt, obwohl die Seel' für sich
dem Schöpfer dienen, zeugen will für mich,
was ich getan, daß Rückgab' er nicht schelt:
Befiehlt Gott Arbeit, wem kein Tag erhellt?
mein Irrtum frägt. Geduldig antwort' ich
um Murren zu verhindern: Gott braucht nicht
die eig'nen Gaben noch der Menschen Hast:
Am besten dient, wer dient nach altem Brauch.
Sein Königswort nimmt Tausende in Pflicht
und schickt durch Meer und Land sie ohne Rast -
und wer nur steht und wartet, dienet auch!

Text Authorship:

Singable translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2010 by Walter A. Aue, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.
Walter A. Aue. Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca
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Based on:

a text in English by John Milton (1608 - 1674), "Sonnet XIX"
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This text was added to the website: 2010-03-26
Line count: 14
Word count: 100