Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - English translations by Michael R Burch II

The Fisher by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe translation by Michael R. Burch The river swirled and rippled; nearby an angler lay, and watched his lure with a careless eye, like any other day. But as he watched in a strange half-dream, he saw the waters part, and from the river’s depths emerged a maiden, or a tart. A Lorelei, she sang to him her strange, bewitching song: “Which of my sisters would you snare, with your human hands, so strong? To make us die in scorching air, ripped from our land, so clear! Why not leave your arid land And rest forever here?” “The sun and lady-moon, they lave their tresses in the main, and find such cleansing in each wave, they return twice bright again. These deep-blue waters, fresh and clear, O, feel their strong allure! Wouldn’t you rather sink and drown into our land, so pure?” The water swirled and bubbled up; it lapped his naked feet; he imagined that he felt the touch of the siren’s kisses sweet. She sang to him of mysteries in her soft, resistless strain, till he sank into the water and never was seen again. Kennst du das Land (“Do You Know the Land”) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe translation by Michael R. Burch Do you know of the land where the bright lemons bloom? Where the orange glows gold in the occult gloom? Where the gentlest winds fan the palest blue skies? Where the myrtles and laurels elegantly rise? “Hassan Aga” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe translation by Michael R. Burch What whiteness shimmers, distant on the lea? Could it be snow? Or is it swans we see? Snow? Melted with a recent balmy day. Swans? All departed, long since flown away. Neither snow, nor swans! What can it be? The tent of Hassan Aga, shining! There the wounded warrior lies, repining. His mother and sisters to his side have come, But his shame-faced wife weeps for herself, at home. “The Song of the Spirits over the Waters” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe translation by Michael R. Burch Wind is water's amorous pursuer: the Wind, upswept, heaves waves from their depths. And you, mortal soul, how you resemble water! And a mortal’s Fate, how alike the wind! “One and All” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe translation by Michael R. Burch How the solitary soul yearns to merge into the Infinite and find itself once more at peace. Rid of blind desire & the impatient will, our restless thoughts and plans are stilled. We yield our Selves, then awake in bliss. Keywords/Tags: Goethe, German poems, English translation, water, wind, land, river