Petrarka
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG
Dem jene Frau in hoher Kathedrale
Erschien am heilgen Leidenstag des Herrn,
Daß er ihr nachgehn mußte als dem Stern,
Im wachen Traum gelockt durch Berg und Tale.
Das war ein Lebens-Weg. Gefüllte Schale
Trugst du das Herz ihr nach, die immer fern.
Im selben Maß den selben süßen Kern
Besang dein Mund und kam doch nie zum Mahle.
In deiner Klause unterm Laubenbogen
Entschicktest Tauben du aus Nestes Bett.
Wohin? Der Sender wußte nur den Namen.
Und als die zärtlich weißen nimmer kamen,
Vernahmst du, still skandierend ein Sonett,
Daß deine Seele klingend war verflogen.
Confirmed with Hans Heinrich Ehrler, Gesicht und Antlitz: Neue Gedichte, Gotha: Leopold Klotz Verlag, 1928, page 50.
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Petrarch", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website: 2022-09-19
Line count: 14
Word count: 96
Petrarch
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
He to whom that woman appeared in a lofty
Cathedral on the holy day of the Lord’s Passion,
So that he was compelled to follow her as if she were a star,
Lured through mountain and valley in a waking dream.
That was a life-path. Like a filled vessel
You carried your heart after her, who was always far away.
In the same measure your lips praised the same sweet kernel
In song, and yet never came to the feast.
In your retreat under the arch of the arbour
You sent forth doves from the bed of their nest.
Whither? The sender knew only the name.
And as the delicate white ones never returned,
You perceived, quietly scanning a sonnet,
That, vibrating with music, your soul had flown away.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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:
This text was added to the website: 2022-10-03
Line count: 14
Word count: 129