Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Nur ein Gedanke, der mich freut und quält,
Hält [ewigwechselnd]1 mir den Sinn gefangen,
Sodaß der Furcht und Hoffnung Stimmen klangen,
Als ich die Stunden ruhelos gezählt.
Und wenn mein Herz dieß Blatt zum Boten wählt,
Und kündet, Euch zu sehen, mein Verlangen,
Dann, theure Schwester, fasst mich neues Bangen,
Weil ihm die Macht, es zu beweisen fehlt.
Ich [sah]2 den Kahn, im Hafen fast geborgen,
Vom Sturm [im]3 Kampf der Wogen festgehalten,
Des Himmels heit'res Antlitz nachtumgraut.
So bin auch ich bewegt von [bangen]4 Sorgen,
Vor Euch nicht, Schwester! Doch des Schicksals Walten
Zerreißt das Segel oft, dem wir vertraut.
Confirmed with: Rose und Distel, Poesien aus England und Schottland, übertragen von Giesbert Freiherrn Vincke, Dessau, Druck und Verlag von Gebrüder Katz, 1853, page 33.
1 Schumann: "ewig"2 Schumann: "seh"
3 Schumann: "und"
4 Schumann: "Furcht und"
Text Authorship:
- by Gisbert, Freiherr von Vincke (1813 - 1892), "An die Königin Elisabeth", subtitle: "Von Maria Stuart. Italiänisch", appears in Rose und Distel, Poesien aus England und Schottland, in Erstes Buch, first published 1853 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 - 1586), "Sonnet to Elisabeth"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), "An die Königin Elisabeth", op. 135 no. 3 (1852), published 1855 [ voice and piano ], from Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart, no. 3, Leipzig, Siegel [sung text checked 2 times]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Aan koningin Elisabeth", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "To Queen Elizabeth", subtitle: "By Mary Stuart. [original in] Italian", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Ted Perry , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2015-02-03
Line count: 14
Word count: 105
One thought alone that gladdens and tortures me
Holds my spirit captive [in eternal fluctuation]1
So that the voices of both dread and hope rang out
While restlessly I counted the hours.
And when my heart chooses this leaf of paper as its messenger,
And tells of my longing to see you,
Then, valued sister, I am gripped by new anxiety,
Because [this leaf of paper] lacks the power to give evidence thereof.
I [saw]2 the barque, almost safe in harbour,
Held fast by the storm [in]3 the battle of the waves,
The bright visage of the heavens shrouded by night.
Thus, I too, am beset by [anxious]4 cares,
Not [fear of] you, sister! But the machinations of fate
Often tear the sail that we trusted.
Subtitle: "By Mary Stuart. [original in] Italian"
View original text (without footnotes)1 Schumann: "eternally"
2 Schumann: "see"
3 Schumann: "and"
4 Schumann: "fears and"
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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Gisbert, Freiherr von Vincke (1813 - 1892), "An die Königin Elisabeth", subtitle: "Von Maria Stuart. Italiänisch", appears in Rose und Distel, Poesien aus England und Schottland, in Erstes Buch, first published 1853
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 - 1586), "Sonnet to Elisabeth"
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-11
Line count: 14
Word count: 130