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Endlich vor Spork. Neben seinem Schimmel ragt der Graf. Sein langes Haar hat den Glanz des Eisens. Der von Langenau hat nicht gefragt. Er erkennt den General, schwingt sich vom Roß und verneigt sich in einer Wolke Staub. Er bringt ein Schreiben mit, das ihn empfehlen soll beim Grafen. Der aber befiehlt: "Lies mir den Wisch." Und seine Lippen haben sich nicht bewegt. Er braucht sie nicht dazu; sind zum Fluchen gerade gut genug. Was drüber hinaus ist, redet die Rechte. Punktum. Und man sieht es ihr an. Der junge Herr ist längst zu Ende. Er weiß nicht mehr, wo er steht. Der Spork ist vor Allem. Sogar der Himmel ist fort. Da sagt Spork, der große General: "Cornet." Und das ist viel.
About the headline (FAQ)
Note: a cornet is the fifth ranking commissioned officer of a cavalry troop and carrier of the troop flag.
Confirmed with Rainer Maria Rilke, Werke. Kommentiere Ausgabe in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Manfred Engel, Ulrich Fülleborn, Horst Nalewski, August Stahl, Band I Gedichte 1895 bis 1910, herausgegeben von Manfred Engel und Ulrich Fülleborn, Frankfurt am Main: Insel Verlag, 1996, page 145.
Text Authorship:
- by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926), no title, written 1899, appears in Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Christoph Rilke, no. 10, first published 1906 [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 Paul von Klenau (1883 - 1946), "Endlich vor Spork", 1918/1919, from Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Kornetts Christoph Rilke, no. 10 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Frank Martin (1890 - 1974), "Spork", 1942 [ alto and chamber orchestra ], from Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Christoph Rilke, no. 7 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Casimir von Pászthory (1886 - 1966), "Endlich vor Spork", 1914, first performed 1914 [ reciter and piano ], from Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Christoph Rilke, no. 11, Leipzig: Fr. Kistner & C.F.W. Siegel, 1919 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Knut W. Barde) , no title, copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Enfin devant Spork", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: John Versmoren , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] , Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 21
Word count: 123
Finally in front of Spork. The duke towers next to his white horse. His long hair has the gleam of iron. Von Langenau did not ask. He recognizes the general, dismounts, and bows in a cloud if dust. He is bringing a letter that is to recommend him to the duke. However, the duke orders: "Read this rag to me." And his lips did not move. He did not need them for that; they are sufficient for swearing. Anything beyond that, is spoken by his right hand. Its looks tell you as much. The young gentleman has long finished. He doesn't know any longer where he is standing. Spork occupies everything. Even the sky is gone. Then Spork, the great general, says: "Cornet." And that is a lot.
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Knut W. Barde, (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 Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926), no title, written 1899, appears in Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Christoph Rilke, no. 10, first published 1906
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 21
Word count: 128