German Poetry translations into English II

These are modern English translations of poems by the German poets Ingeborg Bachmann, H. Distler and Johann Georg Jacobi. “Song” by Johann Georg Jacobi translation by Michael R. Burch Friend, tell me where the violet fled, so lately gaily blowing? That once perfumed fair Flora’s tread, its choicest scents bestowing? Swain, give up verse and hang your head: the violet lies dead! Friend, what became of the blushing rose, the pride of the blossoming morning? The garland every groom bestows upon his blushing darling? Swain, give up verse and hang your head: the rose lies dead! And say, what of the village maid, so late my cot adorning? The one I assayed in our secret glade, as pale and fair as the morning? Swain, give up verse and hang your head: the erstwhile maid lies dead! Friend, what became of the gentle swain who sang, in rural measures, of the lovely violet, blushing rose, and girls like exotic treasures? Maid, close his book and hang your head: the swain lies dead! Dunkles zu sagen (“Expressing the Dark”) by Ingeborg Bachmann translation by Michael R. Burch I strum the strings of life and death like Orpheus and in the beauty of the earth and in your eyes that instruct the sky, I find only dark things to say. Untitled The dark shadow I followed from the beginning led me into the deep barrenness of winter. —Ingeborg Bachmann, translation by Michael R. Burch “Totentanz” by H. Distler translation by Michael R. Burch First Aphorism: Leave everything, that you may take all! Scorn the world, seize it like a great ball! In the heavens it is day, in the abyss, night. Understand if you can: Here it is twilight! Death: To the dance, to the dance, take your places: emperor, bishop, townsman, farmer, poor and rich, big and small, come to me! Grief helps nothing. Blessed is the one who deems the time right to do many good deeds, to rid himself of his sins – Today you must dance to my tune! Second Aphorism: Man, the world’s figure decays with time. Why do you go on so much about her glory? Emperor: Oh Death, your sudden appearance freezes the marrow in my bones. Did kings, princes and gentlemen bow down before me and honor me, that I should I become, without mercy, just like you, Death, slime of the earth? I was my people’s leader and protector; you made me a meal for worms! Keywords/Tags: Ingeborg Bachmann, H. Distler, Johann Georg Jacobi, German poetry, English translations, death, dance, maid, head, rose, violet, verse, book, poetry, eyes