In Other Words/The Translated Way
The Translated Way
I“Wenn ich in deine Augen seh’,So schwindet all mein Leid und weh”
When I into your eyes do see So goes away my woe from me, And, too, when I your mouth do kiss So gains my health a benefice.
When I upon your bosom lie It comes o’er me like joy from sky, And when you speak it: “I love thee!” So must I weep quite bitterly.
II
“Ich hab’ im Traum geweinet.”
I have in a dream been weeping, Medreamt thou didst lie underground,Then wakened I up and the tears flowed Still down from my cheek all around.
I have in a dream been weeping, Medreamt thou didst me forget,Then wakened I up, I continued Crying long, bitterly yet.
I have in a dream been weeping, Medreamt thou wert to me yet good,Then wakened I up and still always My tears did come down in flood.
III
“Hör ich das Liedchen klingen,Das einst die Liebste sang,”
Hear I the songlet singing That once the dearest sang, From out my breast upspringing There comes wild painful pang.
Impels me one dark languish That high wood to attain, Dissolves in teardrops’ anguish My extraordinary pain.
IV
“Was will die einsame Thraene?”
What wants the teardrop single? She mists my glance with pains. She back from olden times yet Within mine eye remains.
She had many glittering sisters Who all have taken flight, With my torments and my gladnesses Dissolved they in wind and night.
Like clouds have disappeared, also, The diminutive stars so blue That in every torment and gladness My heart would smile into.
Oh, likewise my love has vanished Like to a trifling sigh, Though old, individual teardrop, Now too, disappear, pray I!