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Der Tag, der schwüle, verblaßt, und [nun]1 in dieser Kühle [begehrt]2 zu ruh'n, was sich ergeben dem Fest der Lust -- Nun schmiegt mit Beben sich Brust an Brust... Es hebt der [Nachthauch]3 die Schwingen weit: "Wer liebt, der wacht auch zu dieser Zeit . . ." Er küßt die Welle, und sie ergibt sich ihm zur Stelle, weil sie ihn liebt . . . O großes Feiern! O schönste Nacht! Nun [wird]4 entschleiern [sich]5 alle Pracht, die Tags verborgen in Zweifeln lag, in Angst und Sorgen -- [Jetzt]6 wird es Tag! Still stößt vom Strande ein schwankes Boot -- Verläßt die Lande der Mörder Tod? Er ward vergebens hierher bestellt: der Gott des Lebens beherrscht die Welt! . . . Welch stürmisch Flüstern den Weg entlang? Was fleht so lüstern? Was seufzt so bang? Ein Nie-Gehörtes hört nun dein Ohr -- Wie Gift betört es: was geht hier vor?! Der Sinn der Töne ist mir bekannt, Drum gieb, [du]7 Schöne, mir deine Hand: Der ich zu rühren dein Herz verstand, ich will dich führen ins Wunderland . . . Mit süßem Schaudern reißt du dich los. Was hilft dein Zaudern? Dir fiel dein Loos! Die Stimmen schweigen. Es liebt, wer wacht! Du wirst mein eigen noch diese Nacht!
Confirmed with John Henry Mackay, Gedichte, Treptow bei Berlin: B. Zack, 1909, pages 86-88.
1 omitted by Strauss
2 Strauss: "begehrt nun"
3 Strauss: "Nachtwind"
4 Strauss "wird sich"
5 omitted by Strauss
6 Strauss: "Nun"
7 Strauss: "o"
Authorship:
- by John Henry Mackay (1864 - 1933), "Verführung" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Verführung", op. 33 (Vier Gesänge) no. 1 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Seducció", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Verleiding", copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Seduction", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Séduction", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 56
Word count: 205
The day, the humid [day], grows pale and now in this coolness desire to rest Those who gave themselves over to the festival of pleasure -- now with trembling breast nestles up to breast . . . The night [breeze]1 spreads its wings wide: "Whoever loves, is also awake at this time . . ." He kisses the wave and it succumbs to him at once, because it loves him . . . Oh great celebration! Oh most beautiful night! Now all the splendour, shall reveal itself, [the splendour] that was hidden by day, in doubting, in anxiety and worry -- Now day is breaking! Silently from the shore a rocking boat casts off -- Is that murderer Death leaving the country? He was summoned here in vain: the God of Life rules the world! . . . What is that stormy whispering along the path? What pleads so yearningly? What sighs so anxiously? Something never before heard Your ear now hears -- It beguiles like poison: what is happening here? The sense of the sounds is known to me, Therefore, [you]2 Beautiful One, give me your hand: I, who understood how to move your heart, I wish to lead you into Wonderland . . . With sweet shuddering you tear yourself away. Of what use is your hesitation? Your lot has been cast! The voices fall silent. Whoever is awake, loves! You shall become my own this night yet!
1 Strauss: "wind"
2 Strauss: "oh"
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by John Henry Mackay (1864 - 1933), "Verführung"
This text was added to the website: 2014-03-31
Line count: 56
Word count: 236