by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Translation by Emma Lazarus (1849 - 1887)
Morphine
Language: German (Deutsch)
Groß ist die Ähnlichkeit der beiden schönen Jünglingsgestalten, ob der eine gleich Viel blässer als der andre, auch viel strenger, Fast möcht ich sagen viel vornehmer aussieht Als jener andre, welcher mich vertraulich In seine Arme schloß -- Wie lieblich sanft War dann sein Lächeln und sein Blick wie selig! Dann mocht es wohl geschehn, daß seines Hauptes Mohnblumenkranz auch meine Stirn berührte Und seltsam duftend allen Schmerz verscheuchte Aus meiner Seel -- Doch solche Linderung, Sie dauert kurze Zeit; genesen gänzlich Kann ich nur dann, wenn seine Fackel senkt Der andre Bruder, der so ernst und bleich. -- Gut ist der Schlaf, der Tod ist besser -- freilich Das beste wäre, nie geboren sein.
Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), appears in Nachgelesene Gedichte 1845-1856, no. 33 [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 Jennifer Griffith , "Morphine", published 2008 [voice and piano], also set in English by A. S. Kline [text not verified]
- by Ulrich Leyendecker (b. 1946), "Morphine", published c2001 [soprano, viola, bass clarinet, and piano], from Serenade, no. 4, originally for soprano, saxophone, violin, and percussion [text not verified]
Available translations, adaptations, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , title 1: "Morphine", from Poems Selected from Heinrich Heine, ed. by Kate Freiligrath Kroeker, London: Walter Scott, Limited, page 238, published 1887
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-04-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 111
Morphine
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
Marked is the likeness 'twixt the beautiful And youthful brothers, albeit one appear Far paler than the other, more serene; Yea, I might almost say, far comelier Than his dear brother, who so lovingly Embraced me in his arms. How tender, soft Seemed then his smile, and how divine his glance! No wonder that the wreath of poppy-flowers About his head brought comfort to my brow, And with its mystic fragrance soothed all pain From out my soul. But such delicious balm A little while could last. I can be cured Completely only when that other youth, The grave, pale brother, drops at last his torch. Lo, sleep is good, better is death -- in sooth The best of all were never to be born.
Text Authorship:
- by Emma Lazarus (1849 - 1887), "Morphine", appears in Poems Selected from Heinrich Heine, ed. by Kate Freiligrath Kroeker, London: Walter Scott, Limited, page 238, first published 1887 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), appears in Nachgelesene Gedichte 1845-1856, no. 33
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-04-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 124