Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 60:239 (Jul 1903)
Article: More Translations Of German Poetry
Author: James Lindsay

BSac 60:239 (July 1903) p. 480

More Translations Of German Poetry

Rev. James Lindsay

The interest in my former article1 leads me to believe that some further samples of German lyrical poetry will be welcome. I give first some pieces from Heine. The rendering of Heine into English verse is proverbially difficult. But, indeed, the translation of the lyrics generally is not easy. One meets with versions which, as metrical paraphrases, are repulsively bald, even when correct. The principle enunciated by the late J. A. Symonds seems well worth remembering in this connection: “A good translation should resemble a plaster-cast, the English being plague upon the original, so as to reproduce the exact form.” And yet, while there is much to be said for this general principle, I incline to agree with those who think there is something better than either exact reproduction of form, or absurdly literal transcripts of matter. That better thing is, to throw one’s self into the mind, the spirit, of the original, so that its aroma may be caught and preserved. The delicacy, the grace, the fragrance, we must, if possible, retain, even where the genius of our language may at times require a somewhat different thought-mold from the language that is being translated. More than the meter or verse-form of the original is the faithful presentation of the poet’s meaning, mind, and spirit. So far back as Horace, we can find some appreciation of these things, for, says the “Ars Poetica,”—

BSac 60:239 (July 1903) p. 481

“Nee verbum verbo curabis reddere, fidus Interpres.”

The German lyrics seem to be nowise lacking in richness of musical harmony; their note is often full and lofty; and bewitching assonances abound. The simplicity of many of them is exquisite, and the lyrical effect and charm are all their own. Full they are of that fragrant heat which makes lyrical poetry so dear to men. The instances are not few in which we must claim for them to be inspired lyrics, perfect in sentiment, in expression, and in poetic form. Tenderness, geniality, sweetness, fire, strength, and superb musical utterance, are among the qualities they discover.

Heine’s “Spring Song” is simply exquisite—a genuine production of the heart. I give it thus: —

“Softly sounding in my soul
Are all sweet chimes meeting,
Ring thou forth, sweet song of Spring,
Ring out far thy greeting.

“Ring out where in yonder house
Flowers are fair and fleeting,
If you see a little rose,
Say I send her greeting.”

A famous poem is Heine’s “Lotus-Flower,” which I render as follows, though such renderings can never be to one�...