SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE – XLI

I thank you all, who have loved me so right
with your hearts entwined in mine. Thank-you
each, who have remained: in her voices-view
when my prison-walls appeared so tight;

In our goings-on and in our work too,
Where in muses play you stayed. And you
in her, as there my voices sobbing came,
in this voice, within our life’s gambling game,

in her joy you let me fall, in order
to hear what I between my tears did say, …
I speak with gratefulness so future days

in these few gifts make sure our souls sweetness,
coming from your love, is without ceasing
overflowed: born in our moments greeting.

David Scanlon – England – (1963 – )

Barrett Browning, E (2018) Collected Poems: New Translations: New Translations. The Foolish Poet Press, Wilmslow, England. SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE - XLI. Page Number 42.

Ich dank es allen, die mich liebten je
in ihrem Herzen – mit dem meinen. Dank
jedem, der stehn blieb, wenn ihm der Gesang
aus meinen Kerkermauern schön schien, eh

er über ihn hinaus dem Tagwerk zu
oder zum Tempel weiterging. Doch du
der, weil da meine Stimme schluchzend fiel,
um ihretwillen nur, ein Saitenspiel

von solcher Hoheit sinken ließ, um das
zu hören, was ich zwischen Tränen sage,…
lehr mich dir danken. In die fernsten Tage

ergösse gern sich meiner Seelen Süße,
daß sie von dort, was ohne Unterlaß
vorüberfließt, mit ihrem Dauern grüße.

Rainer Maria Rilke – Germany – (1875 – 1926)

Rilke, R.M. (1908) ‘Sonette aus dem Portugiesischen .‘ Insel-Verlag: Leipzig. (Sonnett 41)

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I thank all who have loved me in their hearts,
With thanks and love from mine. Deep thanks to all
Who paused a little near the prison-wall
To hear my music in its louder parts

Ere they went onward, each one to the mart’s
Or temple’s occupation, beyond call.
But thou, who, in my voice’s sink and fall
When the sob took it, thy divinest Art’s

Own instrument didst drop down at thy foot
To hearken what I said between my tears, . . .
Instruct me how to thank thee! Oh, to shoot

My soul’s full meaning into future years,
That they should lend it utterance, and salute
Love that endures, from Life that disappears!

Elizabeth Barrett Browning – England – (1806 – 1861)

Barrett Browning, E. (1850) ‘Poems including Sonnets from the Portuguese and other verse.‘ Chapman & Hall: London: (Sonnet 41)

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