Translation © by Emily Ezust

Von der Schönheit
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT ENG FRE ITA POR
Junge Mädchen pflücken Blumen,
Pflücken Lotosblumen an dem Uferrande.
Zwischen Büschen und Blättern sitzen sie,
Sammeln Blüten in den Schoß und rufen
Sich einander Neckereien zu.

Goldne Sonne webt um die Gestalten,
Spiegelt sie im blanken Wasser wider.
Sonne spiegelt ihre schlanken Glieder,
Ihre süßen Augen wider,
Und der Zephyr hebt mit Schmeichelkosen das Gewebe
Ihrer Ärmel auf, führt den Zauber
Ihrer Wohlgerüche durch die Luft.

O sieh, was tummeln sich für schöne Knaben
Dort an dem Uferrand auf mut'gen Rossen,
Weithin glänzend wie die Sonnenstrahlen;
Schon zwischen dem Geäst der grünen Weiden
Trabt das jungfrische Volk einher!
Das Roß des einen wiehert fröhlich auf
Und scheut und saust dahin;
Über Blumen, Gräser, wanken hin die Hufe,
Sie zerstampfen jäh im Sturm die hingesunknen Blüten.
Hei! Wie flattern im Taumel seine Mähnen,
Dampfen heiß die Nüstern!
Goldne Sonne webt um die Gestalten,
Spiegelt sie im blanken Wasser wider.

Und die schönste von den Jungfraun sendet
Lange Blicke ihm der Sehnsucht nach.
Ihre stolze Haltung is nur Verstellung.
In dem Funkeln ihrer großen Augen,
In dem Dunkel ihres heißen Blicks
Schwingt klagend noch die Erregung ihres Herzens nach.

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Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

  • Also set in French (Français), a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Sur les bords du Jo-Jeh" ; composed by Rosalie Marie Wertheim.
  • Also set in French (Français), a translation by Judith Gautier (1845 - 1917) , "Au bord de la rivière", appears in Le livre de jade, 1867 edition, in 1. Les amoureux, no. 3, Paris, Alphonse Lemerre, first published 1867 ; composed by Gabriel-André Fabre.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "De la bellesa", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Of beauty", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "De la beauté", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Bellezza", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • POR Portuguese (Português) (Paulo Albuquerque de Noronha) , "Da beleza", copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2004-01-16
Line count: 31
Word count: 187

Of beauty
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Young maidens pick flowers,
pick lotus flowers at the water's edge.
Among bushes and leaves they sit,
Gathering blossoms in their laps and calling
to one another teasingly.

Golden sunlight weaves about the figures,
mirroring them in the shiny water.
The sun reflects their slender limbs,
their sweet eyes,
and the zephyr lifts caressingly
the fabric of their sleeves, wafting the magic
of their lovely fragrance through the air.

Oh see what handsome young men disport themselves
there along the shore on their lively horses,
glittering out into the distance like sunbeams;
already among the branches of the green willows,
the fresh-faced young men are approaching at a trot!
The horse of one whinnies merrily
and shies and rushes away;
over flowers and grass, its hooves fly,
trampling fallen blossoms in its stormy flight.
Ah, how wildly its mane flutters in its frenzy,
how hotly its nostrils steam!
The golden sun weaves about the figures,
mirroring them in the shiny water.

And the fairest of the maidens sends
long, yearning glances after him.
Her proud demeanour is mere pretense.
In the flash of her large eyes,
in the darkness of her ardent gaze,
the agitation of her heart lingers, lamenting.

Changed 2014-08-11 with thanks to Dr. Harald Krebs for his kind suggestions.


Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2004-01-16
Line count: 31
Word count: 200