elegias duino

Upload: catalina-urquijo

Post on 14-Apr-2018

234 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    1/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    2/152

    *cAT?. R^.BookDept, Ax.ri)A-&&. 3U

    T.PURCHASED FROM THE INCOME OF THEJOSIAH H. BENTON FUND 31

    FN915; 10,28,38 : 20M

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    3/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    4/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    5/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    6/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    7/152

    Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2011 with funding fromBoston Public Library

    http://www.archive.org/details/duineserelegieneOOrilk

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    8/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    9/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    10/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    11/152

    DUINESER ELEGIENELEGIES

    FROM THE CASTLE OF DUINOTRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OFRAINER MARIA RILKE

    BYV. SACKVILLE-WESTAND

    EDWARD SACKVILLE WEST

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    12/152

    r sr-xfi '

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    13/152

    TO ONE ANOTHER

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    14/152

    THE FIRST ELEGYhowoufdgiveear, among theangelichost,Were I to cry afoudt andevenifone

    Amongstthem tookme swiftly to his heart,I shoufddissoCve Before his strengthofBeing,IBor Beauty'snothing Butthe Birthofterror,

    Whid) we endureButBarely, and,enduring,Mustwonderatitjnthatit disdainsTocompassour destruction, every angefIs terriBle, andthus in seff/controfI crushthe appealthat rises withmy soBs,Ofwhom, alas, ofwhom shaltwe have needlNeither ofangefs norofmen : alreadyThesagaciousanimafs havefundus out,How CittCe atoureaseweItveandmoveIn this intelfigiBfe world,mayBeWekeep theimage ofsome tree thathangsABoveaslbpe, thatdaily we Behofd;Orwe recaflthepathofyesterday,AndourinduCgence to theconstancyOfsomedear haBit, thatremainedwithus4

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    15/152

    DIE ERSTE ELEGIEer,wennidsdriee, fortemiddenn ausderengefOrdnungen 1 undgesetztsefSst,es na'fimeEinermidpfotzCidansfjerz:idverginge von seinem

    Stdrkren dasein. denn dassdone istnidtsAfsdessdre&Ciden anfangt den wir noch'grade ertragen,

    UndwirSewundern esso, weiCesgeCassen versdmafit,llnszu zerstoren. einjederengefistsdre&Cid.Undso verSaftidmiddenn undversdfudeden CodrufUunHeCen sdfudzens. ad, wen vermogenWirdenn zuSraudenl engefnidt, mensden nidt,Mnddiefndgen Here merfien essdon,TDasswirnidtsefirverfdsstJdzufiaussindIn dergedeuteten weft es SfeiStuns vieffeidtIrgendeinSaum an dem aSSang,dasswir iSn tagfidWiedersdfien; es SfeiStuns die strasse vongesternUnddas verzogenetreusein einergewoSnSeit,Der es Seiunsgejiefundso Sfieb sie undgingnidiO unddie nadt,dienadtf wenn derwindvoffer weftraumUnsam angesidtzeSrt,wem SfieSe sie nidi, die ersefinte,Sanftentta'usdende,wefdedem einzefnen Serzen

    5

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    16/152

    So welf/contentedwitBourcompanyTfiatitwentnotaway.AndnigBt, too, / af),tk nigfjt, wfjen windsfrom spaceRavage ourBrows, / thegentCy/disenchanting,Mud)/fongedfornight, wearify imminentForConeCy karts, / tb~is mustremainfor alt,IsnigBtto CoverskinderhBey, aCas,Dofatdisguise tkirfatewitfjoneanother.Haveyou notCearnttfiatfesson? castawayEmptinessfomyour arms, intotkspaceWe BreatBe:tkBirdsmayfeefawider air,PerBaps, BeneatBtBeir spirituafwings.

    Yes, spring/time neededyou, ancfmany a starBecfconedjBatyousBoufdmarkit in tBepastAwavewas fiftedup: a viofin,Even asyoucamepasttBeopen window,Soundedanote:andtBatwasa[fordained.Ordained,Butdidyougain tk mastery?Wereyou noteverraptin expectation,6

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    17/152

    Mufisam Sevorstefit istsieden fieSenden feidker?Ad), sie verdeden siSnur miteinander ib~r Cos.Weisstdu'snoch ni&l wirfausdenarmen die CeereZ,u denraumen fjinzu, diewiratmen;vie([ei6tdassdievogeCX}ieemeiterteCuftfub~Cenmitinnigermf[ug.

    }a, diefrufifinge SrauSten did)wobT.es muteten manSeSternedirw,dassdu siespurtesl esfioBSiSeinewogeherein im vergangenen,oderDaduvoru&erfcamstamgeoffnetenfenster,Ga6einegeigesiMin. das alfeswarauftrag.A&erSewaftigtestdu'si warstdunifitimmerNovon erwartung zerstreut,aCskundigtea(Fes

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    18/152

    Even whiCeyourBeloveddiddeclareAdthings toyou? (ButwherewiffyouBestow fieriForstrangeandpowerfuCthoughtsgoin andout,Even atnightpersistinginyour mind!)Butifthe spirit movesyou, singofCovers:Famous theirpassion, Butnotyet, notyetSufficiently immortadsedaCmost,Youenvy (overs wh~o Save Seen deserted,Deemingthem tendererByfarthan thoseWhoseCovewassatisfied ever againRenew the estimate, incaCcuCaBCe;Consider, how thehero saveshimself,Makes even ofhisdownfallan excuse,Apretextfor hisfinaCresurrection.

    Butnature, spent, takesCovers Backagain,Badto herselfaswere shepowerCessTofashion thusasecondtime. haveyouThoughtearnestCy aSoutGaspara Stampa?Andthought,howanygirCwho Costher Cover,Evoking thatextravagantexample8

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    19/152

    EinegefieStediran1 (wo wiffstdu sieSerpen,DadoSdiegrossenfremdengedanken SeidirAus undeingefin undoftersSfeiSenSeinadit}Sefjntes di&aber, so singe die fieSenden; fangeNonitunsterfigenugistib~riJetiif)mtesgefub~C

    ]ene,du neidestsiefast, verfassenen, dieduSo vieffieBenderfandstafsdiegestifften. Beginn*Immervonneuem dieniezu erreidiendepreisung;Denfc: eserBaftsiSderBefdf sefBstderuntergangwar ifimNurein wrwand,zu sein: seinefetztegeBurUABer die CieSenden nimmt die erscBopftenaturInsizwu&} afswaren nidkzweimafdiekafte,Dieseszu fasten, Bastdu der Gaspara StampaDenngenugendgedacBt, dassirgendein madcBen,

    Dem dergefieBteentging, amgesteigerten BeispiefDieser fieBendenfiiBft: dassiSwurdewiesie]So[fen nidkendficBuns diese aftesten scBmerzenFrucBtBarerwerden2 istes nidkzeitt dasswirfieBendUns vomgefie&ten Befrein undes BeBendBesteBn:Wie derpfeifdie sefjne BesteBt, umgesammeftim at'sprung

    9

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    20/152

    Migfitcry, "I woufdSeeven as sfiewash"Sfia([nottfieseofdestofa[Cgriefsatfast

    Bearfruitfor usl is itnottime tfiatweWfio Cove, sfioufdfreeoursefvesfrom tfie Sefoved,And,quivering,resist? mostTike tfiearrow

    TfiatstrivesagainsttfieSowstring,gatfieredup,Tfiatin itsfeap itmay transcenditsef.Notfiing wfiicfiis, is static.

    VoiceSjVoicesL

    Listen, my fieart, asonce tfie earfy saintsAloneknew fiow to fisten, wfien tfie migfitySummons upraisedtfiemfrom tfie eartfi; SuttfieyIntractafife, knefton andfieedednot

    Tfiecalf,so ardentwas tfieirfiearkening.Nottfiatyoucoufdendure to fiear tfie voiceOfGod;nojarfiom tfiaU Butfiear tfie drifting,TfiesempiternaPtidingsSornofsiCence,Speakingfrom everydeadyoung man toyou.Didnot tfiefate ofNapfesandofRome10

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    21/152

    MefJrzuseinafsersettstdennBCeiEenistnirgends.

    Stimmen, stimmen, Bore, mein fierz, wiesonstnurHeifigeforten : dasssieder riesigerufAufBoBvom Boden; sieaBer knieten,MnmogCiSe, welter undacBtetens nit:Sowarensiefidrend.nicBtdassduGottesertrugest

    Diestimme, Beiweitem. aBerdasweBendeBore,Die ununterBrocBenena&ridk, dieaus stilfesicBBifdet.Es rauscBtjetztvonjenenjungenMen zu dir.Woimmerdu eintratst, redetenidkin kir&enZu Row undNeaj)eCrufiigiBrs(Bicsafdi(Ban?Oder es trug eine inscBriftsidierBaBen dirauf,

    ii

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    22/152

    SpeaksoftCy toyou ineaSSurSyouentered?OrsomesuSCimeinscriptiongCowforyou,As, recentCy the tafiCetin the cfiurcfj

    OfSanta MariaFormosa*Wfiatdo tfiey wantofme?Bystow degreesI must appraisetfiesemfiCanceofinjustice,Wfiidjsometimesfiinders, tfiougfiitfie fiutCMCe,Tfiegestureoftfiespiritoj'tfiedead

    How strange itis to(weno moreon earth";To makenofirtfieruseofcustomsCearnt;No Conger to attrifiute to tfie roseOranytfiingoffairespeciaCpromiseA metapfioroffiuman destiny;To fieno Conger tfiatwfiicfioncewe were,In overfearfiCfiands; to tfirowasideEvenourpersonaCname,afirofientoylStrange, to desireno more tfieconsummationOfourdesires! fiow strange tosee aCCtfiingsReCatedto tfiiseartfiJCoatJreein space]12

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    23/152

    WkneuficEd'e tafefin Santa Maria Formosa,Was sie mirwo[fen1 leise solficEdes unrecEtsKnsStin aEtun, cferiErergeisterReineEewegung mancEmafein wentgEeEindert

    FreificEistesseftsam, die erde nicEtmeh~rzuEewoEnen,Kaum erferntegeEraucEeniStmeErzu uEen,Rosen, undandern eigens verspre&enden dingenNi(EtdieEedeutungmensficEerzufcunftzugeEen;Das,wasmanwar in unendfiSangstficEen Eanden,NicEtmeErzu sein,undsefEstden eigenen namenWegzufassen wieein zerEro&enesspiefzeug.Seftsam, diewunse nitweiterzuwunscEen.selisam,A/fey,was sicEEezog,so CoseimraumeFfatternzuseEen.unddastotseinistmuEsamUndpolfernaSEoCn, dassman alfmdEficEein wenig

    3

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    24/152

    Anddeatffs a wearinessso overvarged"Witfjincompfetion, thatwesfowfy comeTotkconceptionofeternity,Yeta[ftk livingfaffintotk errorOfover/sharp distinction, I havebeardThatangefsmay themsefves BeunawareWhether tb~ey move amongsttkquidor dead,TketernafcurrentsweepaffagesonThroughhoththese reafms,anddominatesin Both,

    Tksewk werecaffedaway in earfyyouthHaveno moreneedofus:detachmentcomesAsweoutgrowtk mother'sgentfe Sreast,Butwewk needgreatsecrets,we towkmSorrow so often meansaSfessedrprogress,Whatshoufdwe Se withoutthem? isthatfegendEmpty, whichteffsSow once in tkfament

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    25/152

    Ewigfatspurt. aSerCeSendige mcufitnA& denfeh~Cer, dass siezu starkuntersSeiden.EngeC(sagtman) wiissten oftni&t, oSsieunterLe&endengefin odertoten. dieewigestromungReisstdurdjkide SereiSealfeafterImmer mitsi&unduSertontsiein kiden.

    S&CiessfidiSrauSen sie uns ni&t mefir, diefriih"eentru&ten

    Man entwofjntsidides irdis&en sanft, wieman den SrustenMilde dermutter entwaSst aSer wir, diesogrosseGebeimnissebrauSen,denen austrauer so oftSefigerfortsSrittentspringt :konnten wirsein ofjne sie]1st diesage umsonst, dass einstin der fcfage um LinosWagende erste musikdurre erstarrungdurSdrang,

    l 5

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    26/152

    T*orLinos,tb~rou$fith~eBarren stupor SurstMusic, audacious, new, /andspace, agfiast,Suddentfy andeternalfy invadedBjpyouth'weH/nigddwinejirsttremSfedTo tfiatvi&ration ojtkemptinessWf)i6drawsussti[f,andcomfortsus,andk(psus?

    Duinoiyn

    Transfatedftom tk German 5y V. Sadvitte/West

    16

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    27/152

    Dass erstimerscbro&tnenmum,dem tin Seinafigdttfi&erjungfingVfotzfiSfur tmmercnttrat,dasfeereinjenesSwingunggeriet, die msjetztfiinreisst uncftrostetundfcffl

    Duino 1 9 12

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    28/152

    THE SECOND ELEGYvery angefis redouhtahfe,NevertheCess I singyou,woe is me,

    Being conversantwithyou,welf/nighaeadfyBirdsoftfiesouCah, where areffedthedaysOfyoungToSiasl wfjen the mostradiantoneStoodon thesimpCethreshofdsfightfymaskedFortravef,andnoConger terrihfe,(Youth"come in searchofyouth, as heCookedoutInauistive!) hutnowtfthe archangefSojraughtwith danger, strode hutoneharepaceLowerandnearerjromhehindthe stars,Theheatingofourown heartwouCddestroy us.Who areye then?

    From theBeginning htest;Spoiftchifdren ofcreation; mountain/ranges;Dawn/crimsonjjeafis ofaCTcreation.ye;/Poffen ofhfossoming divinity;Linksofthe dayfight;pathways, steps, andthrones;Infinity withinafiniteheing;18

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    29/152

    DIE ZWEITE ELEGIEtdtrtngtfistsSrMiS, imddtnnoS, wtbmir,Ansing id)tu,fasttodfid)t vogtfdtr stdt,Wisstndum eucfj. wofan sinddittagtToSiat,

    Dadtrstrafiftndsttn tintrstandan dtrtinfadtn (iaustur,Zur reise tin wtnig vtrkftidttundsdion nit mtkjurStSar;(Jiingfingdtmjungdng, wit tr ntugitrig k'naussaf)*).IratedtrtrztngtCgttzt,dtrgtfdkfiSt,knterdm sttrntnEints sSrittesnur nitdtr undkrwarts:kauf/SdifagtndtrsaoCugunsdas tigtntkrz. wtrstidikl

    Frukgegfudite, ifjr vtrwofinten dtrs&bpfung,Wbknzugt, morgtnrdtfi&tgrateAlftrtrscfjoffung,potttn dtrSCiikndm Gottkit,GtCtnkdts Ci&tes,gangt, trtpptn, tkont,Rd'umtaus wtstn, sSifdtaus wonnt, tumufttStiirmiscfJtntzudXtngtfufiCs undpfotzCiS, tinztfn,

    l 9

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    30/152

    Shiefdsofdelight; the tur&ufenceofstormyEncBantedecstasy, then, suddendfy,Asodtary mirror thatreflectsThestream ofyourown Beauty Ba&toyourownimage]

    For we, wBenfeefingovercomes us, dwindle;Afas, we Breathe ourselvesaway;tBeglbwDecfines,fom emBer unto weaker emBer.One oranothermay we[[say to us:"Xes,you are in my Bfood,tBisroom, tfiis SpringIsfuffofyou" ...in vain; BecannotBofdus,We meftin Bim androundBim. wBo can BofdTBosewBo are Beautiful? incessantPySome cheatingsemBfanceofrealityCrosses theirfaces, andagain departs.Asdewfiom springinggrass, as the hotsteamFrom smoking dish, so the intrinsicselfExBafes itseffaway. ah, whithergoOur smiles! andthou, ohcontemplation, Fresh,geniaffountwithin the heartreleased!20

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    31/152

    Sptegecfte die entstromte eigene s&onfitit

    Wiedersopfenzuw&in daseigene antfitz.

    Denn wir,wo wit'fatten,verjTMtigen; a&wirAtmen unsausunddab~in;von fiofzgCutzuMzgfutQeSen wirsawdSerngeruS, dasagtunswohTeiner:}a,dugefJstmirinsSCut,dieseszimmer,derfru(JCingVuStsiSmitdir: . wasb~iffts,erkann unsnifitteften,Wirsdwinden in ih~m undum ib~n. unajene, diesSbn sind,O werfidftsiezuriidi? unaufh~6rfisteh~tcinsd)einAufin ifjremgesicfitundgekfort wietau von demfriihgrasWeStsid) dasunsrevon uns, wie die fjitzevon einem

    WeissengeriSt o CuSefn, wofjin1 oaujsSaun:Neue,warme, entgeknde welfedeskrzensWefimir:wirsinds do, s&medidenn derweftraum,In den wiruns fosen,naSunsljangen dieengeC^ffirUiSnurtinges aufjbnen entstromtes,Oder istmanSmaf,wieaus versekn, ein wenig

    21

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    32/152

    Alas, tBerisno escape, does space retainAnything ofoursuBstance wBen we regone!Do tBeangefs trufy five andtake tkir BeingOnfyfiom tkirown seCvesljrom tb~atwh~icfistreamedOutfrom tkmsefves in tk Beginning? or,Is tBeresometimesf astBougBBy inadvertence,Someportion ofour essence mergedtBerein?Arewe confusedwitBin tBeir fineamentsIn sucBproportion onfy asofvaguePerceptions in tBefaceofregnantwomen?TBey're unawareofit; tBey, in tBe wBirfwindOftBeir return upon tBemsefves. indeed,How sBoufdtBey Be aware?

    Lovers mostmarvelfousfycouCddescantTBereon, By nigBtjftBeycoufdunderstanditForitwoufdseem, tBataCFtBingswrap tBemsefvesIn secrecy against us. see: tBetreesExist; tBeBouses stand,tBatsBefter us.We onCy, witBa CigBtexcBangeofgreeting,22

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    33/152

    UnsereswesensdaSeil sindwirin ikeZ,ugesoviefnurgemisd)twiedcis vage in diegesiSterSdtwmgererfrauen?sie merfien esniStin cfem wirSeClfjrerru&fofjrzusicf). (wiesolften sie's merfien?)

    LieSendebonnten,verstunden sies, in cfer naStfujiWunderficfireden. denn es sSeint, dassuns affesVerBeimfflt. sieh~e, dieSdume sind; die fjciuser,Diewirfiewofjnen, Sestefjn nod), wirnurZiefienaCfemvor/Jeiwieeinluftigeraustwscf).

    lindanes isteinig,unszuversSweigen, fafEaCs23

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    34/152

    Pass alftfiings By, andeverytfiing conspiresAgainst us, to keep siCence; fiafin sfiame,Verfiaps,andfiafin dope unspeakafife.

    Lovers, toyou I makeappeaC; toyouWfio are toone anotfier all/sufficientYou, cfasping one anotfjer, fiaveyouproof?See, it/jas fiappenedto me tfiatmy bandsGrew consciousofeaotfier; thatmy wornCountenance, Buriedin tfiemjoundprotection.Tfiatgave mesome sfigfitsenseofconsciousness*Yetwfio woufddare, By tfiat, to say: I amiButyou, wfio in tfie other's ecstacyWave increase, even tiltfie mustBeseecB

    "No morel" so overpoweredis fieByyou,You wfiogrow'fruitful"as tfieyearsofvintageIn one anotfier's fiands; wfio afidkateAfrsefatmomentsjbr tfie otfier takesTfie mastery, I make appeaftoyou.You toucfieacfiotfier in suSBCessedness,24

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    35/152

    Sdhnde viefteidkundMBafsunsagCid)eh~offnunc}.

    UeSende,mS ib~r ineinandergenugten,Frag idinadiuns, ifirgreifteuS, babtikr BeweiselSefjt, mirges&eks,dass meine fiandeeinanderInne wercfen oder class meingeSraudkesGesiStin ih~nen sisd)ont dasgiStmixtin wenigEmj)findung.dowerwagtedarumsd)onzusein?Ib~rafier,dkih"rim entzMendesandernZuneb~mt, Sis ereuSiiSerwaftigtAnffefc:ni&mehr;dieik unterden fiandenEudJrei&fidierwerdetwietrauSenjake;Die ifjr man&matvergek,nur weifderandereGam uBerkndnimmt: euSfrag ifina&uns. iSweiss,lkEeriikteuSso sedg, weifdie CieBkosung verfjaft,Weifdie stelfenidtisawindet, dieik, zdrtfiSe,Zudecfct; weifik darunterdas reineDauern perspurt, so verspredkik eu&ewigkeitfast

    25

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    36/152

    I know, Because thetouSojfove restrains;Because tb~estar tb~atscreensyour tendernessIs notoBscured: Because BeneaththatstarYouHavea senseofpure continuance,Andso, inyouremBrace, doaIf/ButpromiseTo one anotherimmortality.Andyet, whenyou endure thefirstafarm,AndthefirstgCance offongingatthe window,Andthefirstwalktogetherthroughthegarden,Lovers, areyou stillrCovers then, thesame?WBenyou seekone another's lip, anddrink, Alas, Bow strangefy does the acteludeThedrinker!

    Haveyou notBeen amazedattfie discretionWithwhiSalirhumangestures wereportrayedIn Atticstatues? were notloveandprtingLaidon theirshoufderswithso lighta touchAsthoughthey knew them in a differentguise]Recalltheirhands: they touch without insistance,26

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    37/152

    Von derumarmung. unddod), wenn ikdererstenBfidiesdre&en5estekunddieseh~nsucb~tamfensterUndden erstengemeinsamengang, zmmafdurcbdengarten:Lieknde,seidiksdannnodi wenn ikeinerdem andernEudian den mundkkundansetzt:getrdnfcangetrank:O wieentgekdann dertrinkendeseftsam derfiandfuncj.

    Erstaunteeudni&taufattisden Stefan die vorsiStMensdticfiergeste]war nidtfieEe undaSsdiedSo CeifitaufdiesduCterngefegt, afswaresausandermStoffegemadtaCsSeiunslgedenktend)der fjdnde,^Niesiedru&CosBerukn, oEwobCin den torsen diekraftsteStXXeseSekrrsdken wussten damti: so weitsindwirs,

    2J

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    38/152

    Despitetk strength'tfjat in tk torso sfeeps.Tky, in tkir mastery ofseff,werewise;We'vetraveledarfiom tknceandarecondemnedSo to caress eadjotkrjbrtkgodsPresskavier on us.yettfiis concerns

    TkgodsJfbutweafso misfitdiscoverSome narrow\pure, restrainedfiumanitylSome strip offertifeCandto make ourownbetween tkcurrentandtk stoneslForourown kart outstrips us, even astkirs did;Butwearenowno Conger capableOfrendering itin mitigating image,Noryetingodfik bodies,Wkrein itfindsa noSCer moderation.

    Duino 1912

    Transfatedfrom tkGerman ByV, Sadvi(fe/West

    28

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    39/152

    Dieses istunser, unssozu Serilfjren; starkerStemmen die Gotter unsan. dodiesistsad)eder Gotter.Fancfen aufiwirein reines, verfiaftenes, sSmafesMensd)fid)es,einen unseren streijenfruStCandsZ,wisch~en strom undgestein.denn daseigenefJerziiSersteigtuns

    Nocfiimmer wiejene. undwirionnen ifjm nidk tnefjrNaaSsdkun in 5iCaer,diees Eesanftigen, no&inGb^fi&ekwperjndenenesgrossersi&massigt

    Duino 1912

    29

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    40/152

    THE THIRD ELEGYne thing it is to sing oftfk SeCoved;Anotfjertkng aCasl to ceCeSrate

    TkguiCty SCood tfiat hidden river/godSkhows fjimjrom afar: whatknows theyouthOfthatimperiousgodheadofdesireWhich, when hewas aCone, Before h~is CoveHadtamedthegod oft in b~is Cove's despitetReareditse(fup,a(l"dripping,from itsownMysterioussea, andsummonedup th~e nightTo endfessSalCengel Neptuneoftk SCood,WithfearfuCtrident, Sfowsfom fasdusky BreastA windthroughout tkspiraC/twistedskCCHarkhow tk nightscoops out its hoCCow cavelIs ittrue, o stars, thatyouth's desire

    Descendsfromyou to the SeCoved'sfaceAndfindsyourcandidimage mirroredtherel

    Itwas notyou aCasl noryetks motkrWhotowardexpectation archedhisSrows.Itwas notyou,ksCover secrettokm,30

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    41/152

    DIE DRITTE ELEGIEinesist, diegefieEtezu singen. tin anderes, wefje,

    Jenen verEorgenen scEufdtgen Ffuss/GottdesEfuts.Den sievon wtitem erkennt, iErenjungfing,was wtisser

    SefEstvondem fjerren derfust, derausdem einsamen oft,Eb~edas madSen no&Cinderte, oftaudiaCsware sie niaot,

    hS, von wefSem unknntti&en triefend,das GottEauptKufEoE,aufrufenddie nacEtzu unendfiSem aufruEr.O desEfutes Neptun,o seinfurcEtEarer dreizadi.O derdunkfewindrseiner Ernstausgewundener muscEeCHord),wie dienaStsidEmufdetundEoEft ifjr sterne,StammtnicEtvoneudEdes fieEenden Custzudem anditzSeinergefieSten1Eater die innigeeinsiStIn iErreinesgesidkni&tausdem reinengestiml

    Du nicEtEastiEm, welk, niStseine mutterHatiEm dieEogen derErau'n so zurerwartunggesjxinntNicEtan dir, iEnfuECendes madSen, an dirnit

    3 1

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    42/152

    WSo fontfits ftps into a ricSerSow,TSinkyou tSat, moving Cike tSewindatdawn,Your airy comingwoufdSave sSaken Sim1True,you appatfedSis Start:Sut ofcfet-fearsRusSecfin to swelftSesSock,

    Calfto Sim, ,,,Sis unftgStedpifgrimageStilfSofdsSim Sy a tSreadfor evenyourcrySuffices nottofreeSim quite, SelfmakeA strong attempt, CeapoutandBring to restHisCigStenedBurden inyour secretSeart,TSere to collectSimseffandtakeSis SirtS,Butwas tSisworkSisown1You, motSer, were atone attSe inceptionOfSim, wSenyougave Sim Sis tiniestSirtS,YouitwaswSo moufdedroundSisgazeTSeJriendCy world,repe(ledtBeSostife worfd,OS1 wSitSer aregone tSoseyears, in wSicSyourformSfenderandtad,SidtumidcSaosfromSim1MucSdidyou Sidefrom Sim tSus: in tSe awfiifnigStYou ridSisroom ofearandfrom tSe refuge32

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    43/152

    Bogseine CippesiSiumfrudotSarernausdrudk,Meinstdu wirfifiS, ifin fid'tte cfein Ceidker auftrittPJso erscfiuttert, du, cfiewandetiwiejrufiwindlZwarduersraHstifimdas fieri; docfidfteres&re&enSturiten in ifin Seidem Seriifirenden anstoss.

    Rufifin ...du rufstifin nkfitgamausdunkCem umgang.Freifidj, erwill t erentspringt; erCeidkertgewofinterSitfiin dein fieimficfiesfieri undnimmtundSeginntsid).AfierSegann er si&jelMutter,du madkestifin Hfein, du warsts, die ifin anfing;Dirwarer neu,du SeugtestuSer dieneuenAugen diefreundfi&e weft undwefirtestderfremden.Wo, ad), fiin sinddiejafire, dadu ifim einfad)Mitdersd)CankengestaCtwa[[endesSaosvertratstlViefesverSargstdu ifim so;dasnaStfiSverddStigelimmerMacfitestdu fiarmfos,ausdeinem fierien vottiuflu&tMiscfitestdu menscfificfiernraum seinem nadt/raum fiiniu.Nicfitin diefasternis, nein, in dein ndfieres dasein

    Hastdudasnacfitficfitgestelft, undessSien wieausfreundsdiaft.Nirgends ein knistem, dasdu nidktaSefnderkCartest,

    33

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    44/152

    Ofyour hearttookouta comforting Breath,Fiffing withhuman shape hisempty night.You setthe nightfight, too, notin the darkness,Butinyour nearerpresence to him there,A fightedimageofyour tenderness.Nowherea creaking sound,Sutyou, witha smife,Expfaineditto him, as ifyou hadknownforyearsExactfy when thefloor khavedfike that. .Andso he fistenedandwasquieted.So muchcoufdyou do whenyou rose upforhim;Behindthe cupSoardstrode his destiny,Tallin its mantle;andhis restless'futureSfidinto the curtain's shiftingfofd.

    Andhe himself,auietedat fast, fay still,Tasting the sweetnessofapproaSing sfeep:Weseemedasifrotected. . . hutwithin,Who coufdarrestthefoodsofheritage!Ahl therewas noprecaution in thatsleeper;He sfept, hutin thefeverofa dream,34

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    45/152

    So afswusstestdufdngst, warm siSdie dieCeSenimmt. .Uncfer borate undfinderte si so viefes vermodkeZartficbdein aufstefin; fanter den sSranktratHoim manteCsein si&saf,undin dkfatten desvorbangsVasste, die Ceidksi&vers&ob, seine unrubige zukunft.

    Under seCbst, wie er fag, der erfeicbterte, unletSdbfdfernden fidern deiner feidkengestaftungSusse fbsendin dengebosteten vorsdbfafScbien eingebiiteter . . . aber innen:wer webrte,Hinderte innen in ib~m diejfuten der berbunftlAcb, da war beine vorsicbtim scbfafenden; scbfafend,

    35

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    46/152

    AndopenedouttSefCood/gates to SimseCf.Young andsSy,kwascaugStupandensnared,ACready twistedintopattern SyySeforward'/creeping tendriCs ofSis Stood,To writSinggrowtS, wiCdanimaC/CeapingsSapes.So begave in. Se Coved.SeCovedSis souC,Lovedtfiat unruCyjungCeofSimseCfPrecipitate wiCderness,

    On wSiSSis Seart, dieagreen tight, reposed.So SeforsookSissouC, tearing SimseCfUp Sy tSe roots witSstarS,primevaCCeap,Outofa tiny SirtSSy tSen outgrown.WitSCoveSectimSeddown into tSe ancientSCood,-Into tSegorgeswSere tSe terror Cay,StiffsurfeitedwitSfatSer*s SCood.eacSSorrorKnew Sim, nodded, andseemedto understand.Yea, even sSeSedreadedsmiCedatSim . .SeCdom, o motSer, didyou smiCe so tenderCy.How sSouCdSefnditin Sis Seartto spurnTSe smiCe SeCovedSeforeyourseCfforwSen36

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    47/152

    Abertraumend,aberinfebern :wk er sideinfkss.Er,der neue, sdeuende, wie er verstridtwar,Mitdesinnerngesdebns weitersdfagenden ranbenSdon zu mustern versdfungen, zu wtirgendem wadstum, zu tierbaftJagendenformen. wieer sidbingab. Ckbte.Lkbtesein inneres, seines inneren wibdnis,Diesen urwafdin ibm, aufdessen stummemgesturztseinLidtgrun sein ben siandSkbte. verfkss es,gingdkEigenen wurzefn binausingewaftigen ursprung,Wo seine bbeinegeburtsdon uberfebtwar. fkbendStieg erbinabin das aftere bfut, in dk sdfudten,Wo dasfurdtbare bag, nodsattvon den vdtern. undjedesSdre&fide bannte ibn, bfinzefte,war wie perstandigU}a,das entseizbide Cddefte , , seften

    Hastdu so zdrtfidgebddeft, mutter,wk softieEresnidtbkben,daesibm Cddefte. pordirHatersgeCkbt, denn,dadu ibn trugstsdon,War esim wassergeCost,dasden beimenden CeidtmadtStebe, wirCkben nidi, wie diebCumen, aus einemEinzigenjabr; uns steigt, wo wir Ckben,

    37

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    48/152

    You carriedRim withinyou, in tfkwomb,ItwasaCready there, dissoCvedoutIn the CiauideCementthatgentCy SearsTbegrowing dbiCdfor we are nottike theflowers,Whose Cove isrounded5y a singfeyear.Our Cove makes strength"undreamed/oj"rise tike sapInto ourarms, o daughter, markthis weft;We Covednotthe one singCeJuture SiCd,Butthose within us seethingnumberCess,Thefathers, tike the ruinsofa mountain,Resting in the deepsofus; the dryRiver/Bedofformer mothers; the whoCeMuteCandscapeUndera cCoudy or cCear/skieddestiny.Affthese, o daughter, came beforeyourseCf

    Andyou, indeed,whatdoyou know?You beckonedWastagesup in himyou Coved,whatfeedngsWrithedupfom his nature'stransformation1WhatvengefuCghostsofwomen! whatobscure38

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    49/152

    UnpordenkMer softin die arme. o madden,Dies: dass wir CieSten in uns, nidt eines, ein kunftiges, sondernDaszafjffbsSrauende;nidteineinzefnes kind,Sondern die voter, die wietrummergebirgsUns imgrunde Serufjn; sondern das tro&enejfuss&ettEinstiger mutter; sondern diegameLaudosefandsdaftunterdemwofkigen oderReinen verfiangnis : dies kam dir, madden, zuvor.

    Unddu setter,was weisstdu, du ContestVorzeitemporin dem CieSenden. wefdegefuhTeWufjften fieraufausentwandeften wesen. weCdeVrauen fjassten did) da. wasfurfnstere manner

    39

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    50/152

    Figuresofmen cficfyou rouse in hisyoutkjuCveinslDeadcBCdren stretSedtkir Rands toyou, imploring . .Softfy, very softfy, do adeedOfCoveforbim, adayfsworkthatwiKCast:Leadhim up neartkgarden,yiefdto fjimBafinight'stranscendency

    AnddJerish~b~im.

    DwnoiyUjVarisiyiz

    Transfatedfrom the German By EdwardSa&viCfe/West.

    40

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    51/152

    Regtestdu wfimgedderdesjiingfings? toteKinder wolften zucfir...o Ceise, Ceise,Tu ein fieSes vorifim, ein verCdssfidies tagwerk,fiifjr ib~nNafjan dengarten h~eran,gi5ih~mderndSteilbergewidk

    VerMtiSnDuino 1912, Paris 1913

    4 1

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    52/152

    THE FOURTH ELEGYtrees offife,wkn doyou turn to winterIWe are notin agreement we are not$k

    Initiated,as migrating Birds;Butf overtaken, andfiefated,tb~rongPrecipitatefy on tk winds, andfaftIntoa Cakethis caffous to ourfate.Weareacauainted&otb~with~5fossomingAncfwitf) decay; see Bothintksame hour;Andsomewkre stifftk fionsgo to andfio,Knowingno weakness wfiife tkir spfendour fasts.

    Butwe,wkn were mostfirm in our intention,Afreacfy areaware ofsome new impufse.Hostifity is ever nearestto us.

    Lovers, wBogaveeaSotkr mutuafpromiseOffiSerty, tk ase, andfjome, do everO'ersteptk margin; tkn a moment'sflash42

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    53/152

    DIE VIERTE ELEGIEEaumefebens, o wann winterfiSlWirsindniSt einijj. sindniSt wie die zucj oftheformwe stiltCan recognise, once itstoodamong men,In th~e very midstofa destroyingfate,In th~e midstofhesitation whither togoAnd,asfit existed,Senttk starsOutofsafeskies to itself, toyou, o angel,Can I stiffshow it,where itstands,preservedAfterallinyourgaze, atlastupright.Columns,pylons,tksphinx,tk rigidpropOftkcathedraldome thatstretd)edupgreyOutofa vanishingorforeign city.Was itnota marvel?wonder atit,O angelfor thiswaswe; ted,thougreatone,Thatwecoulddo so muchJbraCfmy BreathSufficesnotforsogreatacclamation.

    Thushavewe afteralfnotmissedthosespaces'Permissive enclaves thatBelong to us.(How vastthey needsmust Be, nottohaveBeen84

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    95/152

    Diesnidtverwirren; esstdrkin unsdieSewakungDernoderfianntengestaft. dies standeinmafunter mensden,Mitten im sdidsafstands, im vernidtenden, mittenIm nidtwissen/womn standes, wie seiend,undSogSternezu sidausgesiderten fcmmeCn. engeC,Dirnodzeig ides, da! in deinem ansdaunStefiesgerettetzufetzt,nun endfidaufredtSdufen,j>yCone,dersphinx, das streSendestemmen,Grau aus vergeknder stadtoderausfremder, des doms.Waresnidtwunderlostaune,engeC,denn wir sinds,'Wir, o dugrosser, erzdh~fs, dass wir sofdesvermodten, mein atemReidtfur dierubmungnidtaus. so fia&en wirdennodNicfitdierdume versdumt, diesegewdkenden, diese,Unsere rdume, (was mussen siefurdterCidgross sein,Dasiejab~rtausendenidtunseresJtif)(hsukrfu(Tn.yAer ein turm wargross, nidtwafjrl o engef,erwar es,Gross, audnodneSen dirl Cfjartreswargross undmusikReidtenodwetter b~inan undiiSerstieg uns. dodsefSstnurBine CkSende, o, atfein am nddtCidenfenster . ,Reidte sie dirnidtans knieJ

    85

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    96/152

    O'erbrimmedby centuries ofkumanfeefingV)Butatowerwasta([,wasitnothurefyitwasEven besidean angefCbartreswas ta[(,Andmusicstretcbedyetfurtkr up, beyondus.Andwere itonly awoman in Cove, aConeQuite aConeattkwindow atnigbt . . . DidskNotcome up toyourknee

    Fear nottfjatlAm invokingyou. even ifitwere so,O angef,youdo notcome.forbaffmy cryIsan arm stretSedoutto keepyou at its CengtkYou cannot stride * against th~issofidrstream.Upattk top oftkarm an open bandUngraspabCe, bigbupStands inyourway to warn andwardyou off.

    Muzot1922

    Transfatedfromtk German by EdwardSacfcvilfeWest.

    86

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    97/152

    QfauS nicht, dassiSwerSe.EngeC,undwur5id)diSau(lo1du kommstnid)t denn meinAnrufistimmer vofTfcnweg; wider so starkStromungkannstdu nkks&rtitm. wieeingestre&terArm istmein rufen. undseinezumgreifenOSen offene fiandSCeiStvor dirOffen, wie aSwefjrundwamung,MnfassfiSer, weitauf.

    Muzot 1922

    87

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    98/152

    THE EIGHTH ELEGYum6creaturesgaze withtheir whofe vision outInto infinity, our eyes atone

    Woulcfseem to Se inverted,anddkesnaresSetaffaroundthem, compassing theirfreePassage, what fitsBeyondfor us is onfyIntefltgiSfe throughthemaskofBeasts,Forin his earfyyearswe take the SiCd,Turn him aBout, and,so competing himMake him CookBackwards ata([conformation,Notoperspace, thatin thegfanceofBeastsYSwetts soprofound, exemptfrom thoughtofdeath]Thaisseen By us atone; thefreeBorn BeastKeeps hisperdition evermore Behindhim,AndGod"Beforehim; when hegoes, hegoesInto eternity, fike springsofwater.Butneverfora singfeday haveweCfearspace Before us, space wherein thejfowersSpring endfessfy. the worfd,andsti(Ftheworfd,

    Nevera nowhere, Blank, withoutnegation;Vure space, survei[fance/free, in whiSto Breathe,88

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    99/152

    DIE ACHTE ELEGIERudoffKassner zugeeignet

    itaffen augen siefjtcfie kreaturDas ojjene. nur unsreaugen sindWie umgekektundganzum siegestefft

    AfsfafTen, ringsum ikenfreien ausgang.Was draussen ist, wir wissens aus des tiersAntfitz affein; denn sdjon dasfrukkindWenden wirum undzwingens, dass es riickwartsGestaliung sek, nitdas offhe,das\m tiergesifitso tiefistfreivon tod,lfjn sekn wir afTein; dasfreie tierHatseinen unterjjang stets fiintersiUndvor si&Qott,undwenn esgek, sogeksIn ewigkeit, so wie die Brunnengekn.Wir h~aSen nie, nidkeinen einzigen tag,Den reinen raum vor uns, in den dieSCumenUnendfiSaujgefJn. immer istes weftMndniemaCs nirgends ofjne nit:

    Dasreine, unuBerwadke, dasman atmetundUnendfiwtiss undniStSegekt afskind

    89

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    100/152

    Toknow mostinwardly, andnotto covetItso maycome about, thatone in cbiCdhoodMay Cosehimselfin sucha quietudeAndgrow confused; oryetanother die,Becoming one withitfor, nearing death,

    We Cookon deatf)no Conger, Sutgaie out,May Ee with~tb~e wide stare ofanimaCs.Butfor theirfeCCow Hindering their sight,Loverscome near thereto, andare amazed. . .Itopens out, asifSy inadvertence,Beb~indtb~e other. Sutbeyondthe otherNeither can travef,andtk worCdreturns.We areforeverturnedtowardscreation,Andin creation only can we seeThe mirroredfaceofreedom, dark, obscuredOr when an animaC,dumbbrute, Cooks upAndpCacidly Cooksthroughus, throughandthrough.This is the meaningofour lot: tostand

    Opposite; nothing more;forever opposite.

    90

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    101/152

    Verfiertsicfieinsim stiflh an dies undwirdGeruttefu oderjener stirfitundists.Denn nafiam todsiefitman den todnicfitmefirMndstarrtfiinaus, vieffeicfit mitgrossem tierfifiefc.Liefiende, ware niStder andre, derDiesicfitverstefli, sindnafidaran undstaunen .Wieaus persefin ist ifinen aufyetanHinterdem andern . . afier ilfier ifinKommtfieinerfort, undwieder wirdifim weft'Der scfiopfungimmer zugewendet, sefinWirnur aufifir die spiegefung desfrefn,Von uns verdunked oderdass ein tier,Ein stummes, aufsSaut, rufiig durcfiuns durcfi.Dieses fieisstscfii&salIdentifierseinUndnicfits aCs das undimmergegenufier.

    9 l

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    102/152

    ifSutsomecomprehensionofourkindWere in th~e untrouSCedanimaCtSatcomesTowardsusfrom Sis opposite direction,Th~en woufdSedraw usroundupon b~is course,ButSisown state ofSeing is eternafFor Sim, uncompreSended,andregardfessOfSis condition; clear, as is Sisgfance.AndwSerewe seefuturity, Se seesEverytSing, andSimseffin everytSing,Forever sanctified,andyettSere isWitSin tSe watdfufandwarm/SCoodedSeastTSe weigStandcare ofagreat mefancSofy,FortSatwSiSoften overwSefms us, cfeavesAfso to Sim, rememSrance,As tSougStSatendtowardswSidSwe strive SadonceBeen nearer, andmore true, anditsfufifmentUnutterafiysweet Sere, everytSingRuns counter; tSere, itwas tSe SreatSofffe,For after SisfirstSome, SissecondSomeAppears to Sim amSiguous anddouft/uf.92

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    103/152

    Wdre6ewusstb~eitunsrerartin demSicfjeren tier, das unsentgegenziekIn andererriStung> riss es uns fjerumMitseinem wandeCdocfJsein sein istifimWnendlid), ungefasstundofine5fidAufsemen zustand,rein, so wie sein ausECidk.Undwo wirzuHunft seb~n, dortsiek es a(FesXlndsiSin aflem undgefjeififur immer.Mnddbfiistin dem wadsam warmen tierGewifitundsorge einergrossen sdwermut.Denn ifjm aufifaftetimmer an, wasunsOftukrwaCtigt, die erinnerung,Pifs seiscfion einmafdas,wonaSman drangt,Ndfiergewesen, treuer undsein ansdfussUnendMzdrtfid, fceristattesaSstand,Unddortwars atem, nader ersten fieimat1st ifjm die zweite zwitterig undwindig.O sefigkitder kleinen kreatur,Dieimmer bleibt im sdoosse, der sieaustrug;Ogfudider mud.e, dienodinnen hupft,

    93

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    104/152

    Ob,tk beatitudeoftiny creaturesTbatstayforever in tkwombtbatboretkmtHappinessoftkgnat, tbatinwardfyHops, even in its nuptiafs;fortkwomb'ssupreme,Andseetk baff/security oftk bird,From bis origin baffacauaintwitbbotb,Astbougbbeweretk soufofan Etruscanfedoutofa deadman, becomeawareOfspacearoundbim, even wbifetk fidOftk quiescentimage coveredbim.Andbesasoneperpfexed,wbofrom tkwombEmerged,andnow mustfly. as tbougbinfearOfbisown sefbeflasks tbrougbtk airAsa cracktravefsrounda cup, so speedsTk batacross tkporcefain ofdusLAndwe, onfoobers, always, everywkre,Turnedtowards afftbings, nevergazing out,We're cfoyedandsatiatedby itaff

    We setin order, anditperisks.Orderagain,andwe oursefves doperisb94

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    105/152

    Stthstwtnn sith~o

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    106/152

    W#o turnecfus then aroundin sueda wise,Thatwe are afways in thatattitude,Do whatwe may, ofone,who takes fits feavelAs one on tb~e fasthi(f,from whichhe seesHis vale outspreadonce more, turns, stops,andfingers,

    So do we (tve, andever bidfarewefL Muzot 1922Translatedfrom theGerman By V. Sa&vilFe/West.

    96

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    107/152

    So CeSen wir undnefimen immer afocfikcf.

    Muzot 1922

    97

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    108/152

    THE NINTH ELEGYill o begin with, then, topass the respiteofbeing,Why mustweputon humanityLikeafaurefcrown,afmostthedarkestgreen

    OfaIf,withtiny waves on eachleafs edge(Like a smileofthewind) humanity;And,Jfeeingfromfate,yearn after it] ....

    For sureNotbecause happiness exists thathastyVrofitwhichbetokensa near Coss.Notoutofcuriosity, noryetTo reafise theusesofthe heart,Thattoo woufdtakepface in the myrtle crown . .But rather since itmeans muchto be here,Andbecauseaffaboutus transientIndeedandsefdom ourconcern doesseemTo needus, the mosttransient ofalf.Eachthing isonly once, onceandno more.We afso only once, no more, butthisTo have been ofearth seems notto bewithdrawn.98

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    109/152

    DIE NEUNTE ELEGIEarum, wenn es angebt, afso diefristdes daseinsHinzuEringen, afs forSeer, ein wenig dunkfer afs affesAnderegrun, mitkfeinen weffen anjedem

    Btattrand(wie eines windes fdcSefn):warum dannMenscSficbes mussen und,sSidksafvermeidend,Sicbsebnen nacbscbicksaf? . .

    O, nicbt, weifyfudk isttDieser voreifige vorteifeines naben verfusts.Nicfitaus neugier, oder zuruSung cfes berzens,Das aucbim forSeer warekSer weifbiersein viefist, uncfweifuns scbeinSarAffes das biesigeSrauSt, dieses sdkoindende, dasSeftsam unsangebt uns, die scbwinaendsten, tmmaf}edes,nur tmmafzmmafundniStmebr. undwirauSEinmafnie wieder. aSer diesesEmmafgewesen zu sein,wennauSnur tmmaf:IrdisSgewesen zu sein, scbeint nicbtwiderrufSar.

    99

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    110/152

    Andso we fasten toperform th~is triaf,WisBing to (jofifitin ourfe&fess Bands,Andin a fooBmore overBrimming stiff,Ancfin tfje speeSfess heartWe wisBtoBecome it; to wb~om th~en sBaffwegive itlBestwoufcfSe to keep itafffor ever . .But o, afaslBow mud)can oneMe overInto tBe secondmodel not, nottBat visionWBid)we Bave fearntso sfowfy on tBe eartB,AndnotBing, nothing wBicBBasBappenedBere.Vain, tBen,And,Before afftBings, Beaviness ofBeart;TBe fong discovery offove; infine,EverytBinginexpressiBfe. ButBowWiffitBe fater,among tBe stars (for tBeyAre Better inexpressiBfe) / even so,TBe travefferBringsfrom offtBe steep Bnife/edgeOftBe mountain, nota BandjfufoftBe eartB(InexpressiBfeBy aff), ButtBeyeffowAndBfuegentian, a word,acquiredandpure.ioo

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    111/152

    Uncfso drangen wir uns undwotlen es fasten,Woffens entfiaften in unsern einfaden fianden,Im uEerfuCCteren SCidundim spradfosen fjerzen,Woflen es werden. wetn esgekn1am CieSstenAfles Sedaftenfur immer ...acb] in den cmdern Sezug,Wek,wasnimmtman hinuSerlnidtdasansdaun,das b~ierLangsam erfernte, undkin hierereignetes. kins.Afso diesdmerzen. afso vor affem das sSwersein,Afso der CieSe fange erfafjrung, afsoLauter unsagfides. aSerspater,Unterden sternen, wassoffs: die sindbzsszv unsdgfid.Bringtdodder wandereraudvom bange desSergrandsNidteine fjandvofferdeins taf,dit affen unsdgfide, sondernEin erworSenes wort, reines, dengefSen undSCaunEnzian. sindwir vieffeidt hier, urn zu sagen: fjaus,Brude, Srunnen, tor, krug, oSsthumJenster,Hodstens: saufe, turm , . . aSerzu sagent verstefis,O zu sagen so t wit setterdiedinge niemafsInnig meinten zu sein. istnidkdiekimfide CistDieser versdwiegenen erde, wenn sie die CitSenden drdngt,

    101

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    112/152

    Perhapswe areHere to say: Souse, firidge, firooh,gate,]ug,fruit/tree,window at mosV.piffar, tower . .Buttfiis (rnarhweff) is indeedto speakofthingsAs they themsefves Save never meant to fie.Is notthis stentearthcunning to urgeLovers so tb~ateacfiandevery thingBe raptaway in theirown ecstasyIThoughthey fie onfy two in a ceasefess stream,What is itfor two Covers to wearawayApieceofthe ofderthreshofdoftheirdoor?Easy enough.Now is the timefor whatcan fie expressed,Andhere its home, speah.itandrecognise.More than ever do mere thingsfaffast,Since they can fie experiencedfor whatDispfacesthem, to setitin their room,Isan imagefess act, an actundera crust,Whid)cracks atoncewhen the energy withinGrowsoutandtahes on otherfrontiers.Our heartpersists fietween twin rows102

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    113/152

    DasssiSin ih~remgefuh~fjedes unajedes entzildxlSSwefle: was istsfiir zweiUeSende, dass siedk eigne aftere sSweffe der tiirBin wenig verSrau&en, audisie, na&den viefen vorfjerUndvorden kunftigen . . ., fei&LHier istcfes saglichen zeit, hier seinekimatSpridJundMenn, meSrafsjeYaffen die dingedabin, die erfe&Earen, denn,Was sie verdrdngendersetzt, istein tun ofjne Bifd.Tun unter krusten, die wiffig zerspringen, soSafdInnen das fjandefn entwdSst undsicfianders SegrenztZwisSen den fidmmern SestehUnser ben, wie die zungeZwisSen den zdfinen, diedo,Dennodidiej)reisende SfeiSt

    103

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    114/152

    OfSummers, as the tongue between the teeth;Butyetitis the tongue whichdoes tfkpraising

    Lettheworfd(notthatwhiScannotheexpressed)"Praise the angeftowhomyou cannot BoastThatyou havefeftasfineCy asmay he.In the universe, where is his range offeehing,You arean upstart, thereforeshow to himSomethingsimpfejbrmeafrom race to race,Whichfivesas our chattefclbse to our handsandsight.Teffhim ofthings: he wihfpause in wonderment.Teffhim howyou stoodwiththe ropemafterIn Rome, or with thepotter Sy the Nife.Show him how happy a mere thing can he,How innocent,how thoroughly ourown;How even apassionatefamentCan take upon itseffaBodyandserveAsa thing or die as one, andcafmfygfideOutSeyondthe viofin its hody.104

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    115/152

    Vreisedem engefdie weft, niSt die unsagdSe, ifjmKannstdu niStgrosstun mitfierrficberfufiCtem; im weftafif,Wo erfuh~Cenderfuh~Ct, Sistdu ein neufing, drum zeigifjm das einfadhe, das, vongesSCedkzugesSCedbtemgestaftet,Afs ein unsriges CeStneSen derfiandundim btifk.Sag ih~m die dinge, er wirdstaunender stefin; wiedu standestBeidem seifer in Rom, ocferkirn tojferam Nit.Zeig ifjm, wiegfudfidiein ding sein Hann, wiesSufdCos undunser,Wie seffistdas Ufagende feidrein zurgestaftsiSentsSfiesst,Dientafs ein ding, oder stirkin ein ding, unajenseitsSefig dergeige entgefit. unddiese, von f)ingangLeSenden dinge verstefin, dassdu sie rufimst; vergangfid),Traun sie ein rettendes uns, den vergdngfiSsten, zu.Wollen, wir sotten sieganz im unsiStSarn fierzen verwandefnIn o unendfid) in unsl wer wiram ende auSseien.

    105

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    116/152

    These understandjrom deathoffiving things,Thatyou shoufdcefeSrate them; in themselvesTransient,They trust us, the mosttransientofaff,To Se their rescuers, this Cetus do,We mustwraj)them quiteup in our hearts,There to remain unseen ever within us,Whoeverwe may Se atthe Cong Cast

    Is itnotthis,O Earth, whichyou desire:To arise unseen within usI is itnotYourdreamjbr once to Be invisiSfelifchange is not, then whatyour urgenttask?Befovedearth, I wishittoo. EeCieve meWhen I say I needednot anotherOfyour Springs to win my confidence;A single one is too strongformy5food.I wasconvertedutterCytoyouFrom Cong ago.you were ever in the right,106

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    117/152

    Erde, istes niStdies,wasdu wittst: unsidkSarIn unserstefinl istes dein traum niaSt,EinmafunsiaStSarzu sein1 ercfel unsi&tSarlWas,wenn verwandCung nidi, istcfein drdmjender auftrag?Erde, du fiefe, i&wifflogfaub, es SediirfteNiditdeinerfrufjfinge mefjr, miSdir zugewinnen, einer,Ad), tin einztijer istsSon cfem Bfutezu vief.NamenCos Sin izu air entschTossen,von wcitfar.Immer warstdu im redt, unddein kifytr einfaffIstcfer vertraudaSe tod

    10j

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    118/152

    AncfcficfinventcompcmionaSfe cfeatf),Bless 'dinspiration, seel I five; butwfjitfjerComesmy fife]for dbiCdh~oodandth~efutweWiCCnotgivepfaceto one another . . . . Being,Too riSjor number, overflowsmy Heart

    ToCedbl Spain?Muzot 1922

    Transfatedfrom tk German by EdwardSa&pifle'West

    108

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    119/152

    Skk, i&CeSe. woraus? wederkindkitno&zukunftWercfen weniger uSerzdfifigesdaseinEntspringtmirim forzen,

    Tofecfo? Spankn? Muzotiy22

    109

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    120/152

    THE TENTH ELEGYay I, one day, attheendofthesomSre Judgment,Singofrejoicingandfame in chorus withangefs.

    Letnota loose, unsure, orsnapping stringFaifthe clear/soundinghammersofmy heartLetmy streaming eyesfendSriffiance to myface;Letmy homely weeping Sfossom, dear to meThen wiffyou he, nights that I havegrievedor.How saditis that, kneeling to receiveyou,Disconsofatesisters, I achieveditnot,Nor fostmyselfinyour unfoosenedhairlWe are the squanderersofpainandsorrow,Espyingthem, in the tragicfapse oftime,Before they come, in case theirendhe near,For they areour winter's leaves,a darHgreen shadeWhichcofoursaffour sences, they are oneOfthe seasonsofthe secretiveyear, andmore:They arepface anddweffing, campandgroundandhome.

    Butthen ofcourse, afaslhow strange to usThe affeysofthe city ofain, in which,no

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    121/152

    DIE ZEHNTE ELEGIEass iSdereinst, an dem ausgang dergrimmigen einsiajt,Jufefuncfrufjm aufsingezustimmenden engefn,Dass von den kfargesSCagenen Hammern cfes fierzens

    YJeiner versage an wei&en, zweifefnden oderReissenden saiten. dass miSmein stromendesantfitzGfanzender mae:dass das uns&einSareweinenBfufie. o wie werdetifir dann, nadke, mir CieSsein,Qeharmte. dass ieuhieenderniSt, untrostfiSe s&western,Vtinnabm, niStin euergefostesHaar miSgeCoster ergaS, wir, vergeuderdersmerzen,Wie wir sie ahefjn voraus, in die traurige dauer,OSsienidkenden viefleicfjt. sieaSer sinajaUnserwinterwakiges CauS,unserdunkefes sinngrun,Eine der zeiten des b~eimfich~enjab~res> nidknurZ,eit> sindsteffe, siedefung, Cager, Soden, wofjnort

    Freifi, wefje, wiefremdsinddiegassen der Ceid/stadt,Wo in derjafsSen,aus uSertonunggemaSten

    in

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    122/152

    In tkfafsesifence madefyom overtones,Tkgiftnoise/monument spurts Bravely up,Burstfrom tb~e kffowedmoufdofemptiness!How tra&fess migkan angeftrampfedownTRatcity's marketofcomfort,founded"SyTh~e cBurcSsk bought, neat, ready made, andcfean,SRut/up anddisappointed,Looking fik apost/officeon Sunday!Butoutside curftk edgesoftkfair.Swingsofreedom! diversandjuggfers ofueaf!Andtb~e metapfjoricafsbooting/rangeOftinseffedfuck,wkre tkyfidget andsetupAforced,metafficcborus ofappfause,Wkn one wfio is more skiffiifbitstk mark.Th~usk reefsonfrom appfause to fiazard;For Booth'sofevery curiosityCfaim km, roffdrumsandcry up tkir wares.Buteider ones especiaffy may seeHowgofdorganicaffyfeeds itseffiNotonfyfortkpfeasureofit, but112

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    123/152

    Stifle, stark, ausdergussform des feeren der ausguss,Prafjftder vergofdete farm, daspfatzendedenkmaf,O, wiespurfos zertrate tin engefiSnen den trostmark,Den diekir&eSegrenzt, ikejertiggekufte:ReinMundzu undenttausStwieeinpostamtam sonntag.Draussen aSerkdusefnsi&immer die randervonjafirmark,SdoaukCn derfreifieitl taucEer undgaukfer des eiferslUndoes Eefiu5stengfudisjigurCicb~e sSiessstatt,Wo eszappeftvon zieCundsiSSfeSern Senimmt,Wenn einges&i&terer trifft von SeifaCfzu zufaffTaumefter wetter; denn udenjegfierneugierWerfen,trommefn undpfarrn.fur erwaSseneaSerIstnod) Sesonderszu sefin, wiedasgefdsi&vermehrt,anatomisS,Nicfitzur Sefustigung nur: dergesdJCeStsteifdesgefds,PJTes, dasganze, dervorgang, das unterriStetundma&tVru&tEar. . .O aEergfeifidaruSerfjinaus,Hinter derfetztenpfank, Mfefit mitpfakten desjodfos",]enes Sitteren Siers, das den trinknden suss sSeint,Wenn sieimmer dazufrisajezerstreuungen faun ...,

    113

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    124/152

    Thesexofmoney, tfk wfjofeofit, thefact,Which'educates ancfcarries on thegameThen,just out there, SehindthefnaCfence,Studover withthepCacards oftkDeathCess",That Sitter Seerwhich tastes sweetto the drinkrs,ifonfy they eatfreshdistractions withit ....BehindthatSoardappearsthetruCy reaCChiCdrenpCay andCovers emSrace apart,SeriousCy, in the thingrass, anddogsDo what they wiCC. stifCfurtkr is theyouthDrawn on;perhapshe CovesayoungCament . .FolCowing her, hecomes into the meadows.She says: it isfar. we five rightoutthere.. .Where? Sut theyouth stiCCfoflows her. herCookMoveshim hershoulderandher throat perhapsShecomes ofagreatrace. then he leaves her,Turnshim once more, away, andwaves to her...WhylskisapCaint.

    114

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    125/152

    GfeiSim ru&en derffank,gfeidaknter, ists wirkfiS.YJnder spitfen, undfieknde kften einander aSseits,Ernst, im armCidbengras, undfiundekSen natur.Wetter noSziekes denjungfing; vieffei&t,dass er einejungeYlage Cie&t, . . Sinter ih~r Herkommter in wiesen. sie sagt:

    Wet wir wofinen dortdraussen. Wo? undderjungfing:VoCgt ifin riiktikeMtung. diesufter,derkfs,vie(Teit1stsie von krrfiSerkrkunft aSer er fasstsie,kktum,Wendetsid), wink. . . was softs? sie isteine kfage.

    115

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    126/152

    Onfy thosewho dieYoung, in thefirstmodeoftheir timeCesspeace,Foflbw, Coving her wfjo weans tfjemfrom itQirfssheawaitsandBefriendsandshows to themQuietly whatshe carries,fearfsofgrief,Sufferings deficatefy woven veiCWithyouthssk wafKs in siCence.

    Over there,In tk vaPfey, wkretky Cive,an efderpfaintTakes an interestin theyouthandsays,Whenk askskr:wewere agreatrace once,Weplaints; ourfatkrsworkdthe mine up thereIn tkgreat mountain; often stiffyou mayFindamong men apiece oforiginafpain,CutandpoCiskd,or,fromdeadVofcano,Thepetrifieddrossofanger,yes, thatcameFrom over there, oncewe were richindeed/'

    Andshe Ceads himgentfy throughthewide Candscape116

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    127/152

    Nurcfiejunjjen toten, im ersten wstandZeitCosengfeiaomuts, (fern derentwofinung,

    Fofaen ifir CieSend, madSenWartetsieaBund&efreundetsie. zeigtifjnen Ceise,Was siean sid) fiatperfen des Ceids unddiefeinenSdiCeierderdufdung. mitjungfingengeh'tsieSdkpeigendAder dort,wo sie wofjnen,im taf,der afteren tint derUfagenNimmtsiaidesjungftngs an, wtnn erfrag: wirwarm,Sagtsie, eingrossesgesSfedk, einmaf,wir fcfagen. dit paterTrieSen denSergSau dortin demgrossengeSirg; SeimensdienVindestdu manSmaCein stMgesMjjenes urfeidOder, aus aftem pufRan, sfifadig persteinerten zorn.]a,dasstammte pon dbrt einstwaren wir reid).

    Undsie Ceitetifin CeiStdurd)die weite fandsSaftder lifagen,u7

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    128/152

    Ofthe Camentsandskwstokm tk templeVilfars ortk ruinsofthatfortress,From wkdbtk Siftainsoftksorrow raceOncerufedtkcountry.Skskwskm tk taCftear/trees andtkfiefdsWkre tkffowers ofsadness Slow (tk living onfyKnowtkm as softest leafage")t skpoints outTk animafsofmourning, astky Browse;Andoften a Bird,in suddenfrigk,fiesstraightAcross tkir upwardvision,drawingfarTkimage ofits isolatedcry.Asevening approachesSk takeskm totk cromfeSs oftk ancientsOftksorrow race tk siSyfsandtkpropkts.Tkn nigkcomes on;tkygo more silently,Andsoon tk tomSstonecltmSs up Cik a moon,To watSoerafCSrotkr tokm oftk Nile,Tksawfifspknx aface on tk sifentroom.Andtky areamazedattkcrownwortbykad,Wkd), soundfessfy, onceandor a(T,h~asfaid118

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    129/152

    Zetgtifim diesdufen derlempefoderdietrummer]enerBurden, von wo kfage/jursten das(andEinstens weiseBeBerrsSt zeigt ib~m die fiofienTrdnenBdume undfefderBfuknder wefimut,(LeBendigeknnen sienut afssanftes BCattwerft);Zeigtifim die tiereder trailer, weidend, undmanSmaCS&reckein vogeCundziefJt,flaih~nenf[iegenddurs aufsaiaun,Weitfiin das scdriftfidie Bifdrseines vereinsamten sreis,ABendsfufirtsie ih~n fan zudengraSem der aftenAusdem k(age/gesCet,den siByflen undwarn/b~errn.NafitaBer nadti, so wandeCn sie feiser,undBafdMondets empor, das iiBer aflesWacBendegraB/mafJruderfi'cBjenem am N/ifDer erfiaBenesphinx: der verswiegenen HammerAntfitz.

    Undsie staunen dem Kronficfien fiaupt,dasfurimmer,Sdnveigend,der mensSengesiStAufdiewaage derstemegefegt

    119

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    130/152

    TRefaceofman on tfje Safance ofthe stars.

    Giddy withthe approach*oJ"death, hisgfancePerceives itnot. huthersjrom SeyondthefarOftkgods home, affrights the owC.andit,Streakingdown thatripely roundeddkekIn a slow curve, alfsoft, designs,In thenew audienceofthe dead,on douSfeOpeneapage, the indescriBaSfe Cine.

    Higherup are thenew starsofthe landOfsorrow, sfowly she teCCs him their names:Loofcl here see theRider andthe Staff.They calfthewhofe starscape theWreathofFruit.Further off,Towards the Vofe, are the BalanceandtheWay,The Burning Book, theWindow andthe Dolf.Butin the heavensaway to the south,pureAj in the centre ofa SCessedhancf,120

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    131/152

    NiSterfasstessein BCi&,imfrukodSdwindefnd aBer ifir s&aun,Hinter dempsdienl/randkrvor,s&ewkes die eufe. undsie,Streifendim Cangsamen aSstriSdie wange entfang,]ene cfer reifesten rundung,Z,eiSnetweid)in das neueTotengefior, iiSer ein doppeft

    KufgesSfagenesBCatt,den unEes&reiBR&en umriss,

    \lndb~6fier, die sterne. neue, die sternedes Ceidfands.Langsam nenntsie die liCage:h~ier,Siefie: den/eitef, den,staS(, unddas voffere sternSiCdNennen sie:frutHranz\ dann, wetter, dempofzu:^Wiege^weg^das Srennendefa'puppe',fenster'.kEer im sudfien h~immef,rein wieim innemEinergesegneten h~and,das kfar ergfa'nzende,m\

    Das die mutter Sedeutet "

    121

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    132/152

    SfiinestkSrigk TVI',wfifth signifiestk Mothers *

    Butcfeacfmen mustaway, andsifentfyTk efderpfaintfeads fiim towards tkgorgeWkretk springofjoygdmmers undertk moon.In awesk names ithndsays:on Eartfiitis a stream tfiathears."

    Attk mountain*sfoottkypause, andtkresk takesHim inkrarms andweeps.Once more afone,kcdmhsawayInto tk mountains oforiginaCpain;Nor onceDoes fin'footstepsoundfrom outtkattonefessfate.

    ButtffirrevocaSCedeadawokefor usasymSof;Seeltky fiavepointedouttoustk catkins

    On tknakedfiazef,orsdown us in tk rainWb~ifaCTson darkeartfiin tk earCyyear.122

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    133/152

    DocSder tote mussfort, undsdweigendSringtifin die a'ftereKfage Sisan die taCs&Cu&t,Wo essSimmertim mondsSein:Die quefiederfreude. in eSrfurStNenntsie sie, sagt:Beiden mensSenIstsie ein tragenderstromS'

    Stefjn amfuss desgeSirgs.Undcfa umarmtsie iSn, weinendEinsam steigterdamn, in die Serge des urfeids.MndniSteinmafsein s&rittkfingtausdem tonfosen Cos,

    Pder erwedlen sie uns, die unenddStoten, eingfeiSnis,Siefje, sie zeigten Pie[feitaufdiekatzSen der CeerenHase^d'e Sdngenden, oderMeinten den regen, derfd(Ttaufdunfreserdreiimfruf)jab"r.

    123

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    134/152

    Andwe,who tfiMativays ofa happinessAscending,VloufdbeSy ouremotion quite undone,ifonesboufdfatf.

    Duino 1912, Paris 1914Muzot1922

    TransfateajromtkGerman Sy Eawara'Sa&vifleWest.

    124

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    135/152

    \lndwir,diean steigendes^/MDenfen, empjdnden dieruhmng,Die uns Beinah Sesturzt,Wenn eingCiiMSes fallt

    Duino 1912, Varisiyi^Muzot 1922

    125

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    136/152

    ELEGIESFROMTHECASTLEOFDUINO.

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    137/152

    The ElegieshadSeen compfetecfin FeSruary 1922.In seeking to render in translation theworhofanypoetjwoconsiderations areparamount: ( 1) What metre in the Can/guageoftie translator wiCCSest carry theSaCanceandstressofmeaning ofthe originaf; (2) wb~etb~era strict adherence totfje voca&ufary andgrammar oftk original attk cost ofpossible awkwardness andoSscurity, wiCCgive a Setter ideaoftkpoet's vision than agracefuCparaphrase, in whiStheactual'meaning aCso wouCdin some sense suffer interpret/ation, ratkr than directconveyance.Asfar as tk secondoftkse considerationsgoes tk trans/Cators,facedwithpoems as difficuCt in meaning andascomplex ingrammaticaCconstruction as theDUINESERELEGIEN,have unhesitatingfyadoptedthefrstafternat/ive, as king more honest, Cesspretentious,andtkrefore CessCiaSCe to varieties ofhCame. In doing so theywereweCCawarethat the resuCt wouCdcontain angularities suchas inevitaSCyto rohtheEngCishversion consideredoritsownsakeofgrace;Sutfthis is so,there remainsatCeast thecertainty,inthe case ofapoet as ahstruse andeCusive as Rilke, that anyattempt atparaphrase must have Seen attendedSy afaiCurefar more complete, ifthe resuCtSejudgedmereCy a superiorkindofcriS, itshouCdSe Some in mindthat an accurate criS(gndoursingCepretentionistoaccuracy)isatanyrateofuse;

    \ij

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    138/152

    whereas aparaphrase(whichcannotofitsnatureheaccurateyispractically worthfess.With regard"to the consideration ofmetre, tb~e Soke waseasier, The originaCefegies, as willhe noticed, are (with thesingle exception ofthe 8th,whichis in hfankverse) written inhexameters.Now itwillgenerally he admittedthatthe b~ex/ameterisasingufarfyunfortunatevehicfeforthecompositionofEngfish'poetry: it does notft thegeniusoftheCanguage, itmakes th~e soundoffamifiar words unrecognisahfe, anditinevitaBCyproduces a rh~yth~m at once heavy andjoggfing,wfjicfjruins thefow ofimagery: infine, it is ridiculous. InGermanjfje case isasdifferentaspossihfe. In thatfanguagethe exaggeratedheavinessofsome syflahfes, in contrastto theextreme lightness ofothers, makes the hexameter the ideaCvehicle ofthe elegy sCow, dignified,fascinatinglynumheredandvarious. The successionofdactylsdemandedBy the hexameter area usuafeature ofany German Cine,whetherofprose or verse,andtherefore do notspoifthe dig/nity ofwhatthey expressSy a ludicrous andunnaturafmu/sic,suchasourcharacteristicmonosyCCahfesneverfaifto makewhenforcedinto thiskindofmoufd. Theprohlem, therefore,was how to render the wide, sfow, Milionicprogress ofRilke's line- fike an immense road,admitting manythoughts andimages aSreastofone another, andseeming to

    128

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    139/152

    suggest movement in more directionstSan one. (TSisisafso,itmaySenoticedinpassing,afeatureoftSepoetryofH6fder/fin,wSoseworkSasmany affinities witfitfiatofRiffle.)TkonfypossiSle answer, afready sufficiently suggested"fiy tfkStS. Efegy itse(f,seemedtoSe SlanSverse.Somethingremains to Se saidoftSeactuafcontentoftSepoem(Joritis reaffyasingfepoem in tensections).TSisisadmit/taffy exceedingfy compCex andarcane, andwittnotyiefdtoafirst, or even to a second, reading. For Riffle'spoetry is oftSe metapSysicaCorderandconsistsfor tb~e mostpart ofanelaSorate aCcSemy ofSypostatisedideas, in th~eexpression ofwSiStSeinventionofgrammaticafauipsandsuStfetiespCays asin Virgif an importantpart. (TSis fastis tfk cSieffactorwSicSmaks any transfation ofRifflea matterofsuSenormous diffcufty andwSicSfnaffy decidedtSepresenttranslators to adopt tSepoficy ofaccuracy/at/any/priced)His imagination seems naturaffy to Save deaCtin visionsofembodiedaSstractions, andin tSis h~e differsfrom so manyotSerpoetsonfyintSefacttSatSeaSwayspusSedtSevisionasfar aspossiSfe, creating detailedlandscapes andfiumanitiesofaSstractcategories.TSispracticewoufddouStfessSavede/generatedinto a mere mannerism apreciosity ifitfjadnot Seen carriedout witS sucS complete sincerity andprecision.W'Sen,for instance Se Segins one ofSis LAST

    129

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    140/152

    POEMS:" exposedon tBe mountains oftBe Beart, "Beis merely using aprocedure common to allpoets; Sutoncein tBeBeartofBis metapBorBeremainstBerefooflsaBoutBimandnotes everyfacetoftk new vision, th~us: "Look,see over tkre,kw smaCCtBe last viCCageofwords,andBigBerup Butkw small"tool tk Castfarm/Buddings ofsense. Doyou recognisetkm1"Tk effectofsuSapassagein RilKe'spoetry is never merely tBat ofa conceit,for tkvision upon wBicB it rests isan MegraCperBapstk mostimportantpartoftBispoefs instinctive attitude to experi/ence; andit is in tkDUINESERELEGIEN moreespeciaCCy in tk lotB tkttk cultivation andexpansionofthis attitude reacBedits BigBestpoint (it is interesting intks connection to compare Riffle witBtBe \6tBcenturypoet,Maurice Sceve?)Once tks metBodisfulCygrasped,tBe difficultiesoftBougBtCargeCy disappear.Tkre remains only tk reference to ac/tuaCeventsandpersons, someprivatetoRiCBe 'sownffe,some ofBistorkaCnotoriety,topuzzfetkreader.Tk Cat/terkindareingeneraCeasiCyassociaBCe,wh~iCetkformerarealftoBegot atBy reading tBepoetsprose work,DIEAUF/ZEICHNUNGEN DES MALTE LAURIDSBRIGGE. VracticaCCy aCCtBe materiaCoftk ECegies mayBefoundscatteredtBrougB tBepages oftBat mostCyricaCof

    130

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    141/152

    autoSiographies; andmany ofthe oSscurer imagesfindtheir cCear explanation there. Into tk ECegies RiCkepacked

    so tightCy th~at noJoins are visihCe anywhere theentire spirituaCexperienceofhis fife, using aspegs those as*pects ofitwhichhe hadfeCtas tk most importanttokmmotkr, earfy chiCdhood, animaCs, Cove. hCCthese are seenthroughtkprism ofaprofoundCy redgious temperamentThe system ofSaint Thomas Aquinas evidentfyfoundasympathetic home in his mind, andwithout some know/Cedge ofthis system thepCace assignedto angefs in thepoemcannotproperCy he understoodIt must he repeated: these Elegies are difficuCtpoetry, theappreciationofwhichcannotkmadetorest(evenforareaderoftkoriginafGerman)upon thesensuousheautyoftheex/pressionandimagesaCone,thoughthesearegreatenough.But nowadays when muchofthe kstcontemporarypoetryrequiresfor its understanding the examination ofscholarlysources, impatience on this score is Cess to Sefearedthanfor/merCy itmighthaveken.Rilke himsefconsideredtheDUINESERELEGIENas the cdmax ofhis work, andtkre seems every reason toagree withthis opinion.Thepoems, considerahCeinnumkr,whichform the NACHLASS, cannot he consideredasdefinitive,for whiCe theygive in single Cines ofsuper

    131

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    142/152

    grandeur, in images ofastonishingpower andoriginality moments ofperfectpleasure, their Sief"value ties, onecannotkfpfeedng, in wfiattkyforetelf.Tky are evidentlymateriafwaiting to Be incorporatedinto a singfe wMe,wh~i, in tb~us transforming, must in some sortHavesuper/sededtkm. Meanwfiife tfje Efegies remain, a monu/ment, in tkir strangeperfection, ofaBsoCutefyfirst classpoetry.

    132

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    143/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    144/152

    COUNT HARRY KESSLERpCannedtfieformatoftfiisvofume. ERIC GILL designedandfiimseCfcut onwoodtfie initiafs. Tfie Italic type was designed'Sy EdwardJob~nstonandcutSy E. PrinceandG. T. Friend.Tfiepaperwas made Sy a Sandprocess devised injoint researS SyCountHarry KessferandGaspardandAristideMailfoCTfieSookwasprintedin thewinterandspring oj"1931.CountHarryKessferandMaxGoertzsuperpisedtfieworkofsettingtSetypeandprinting. CompositorsWaiterTanzandWans sufze. Pressman: WilfiLaste.TSe Sook wasprintedfor TfieHOGARTH PRESS,52T'avisto&Square,LondonW.C^andSotfitfieEngfisfiandtfie German texts were reproducedSy tfie courtesy oftfielUSEL-VERLPJGlULElPZlGwfioareaCsotfieAgentsfortfie Sookin Germany,

    Tfie wfiofe edition consistsoftwo fiundredandtfiirtynum/Sered copiesfor safe on fiandmade MailFof/Kessferpaperwitfitfie watermarkoftfie Qranad)ressfandsignedSy tfietransfators; andeigfit numSeredcopies on velfumfor safewitfifiand/gifdedinitiaCs, signedSy tfie transfators.

    Tfits iscopy Nr.\

    I^^^W-W ;W^^

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    145/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    146/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    147/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    148/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    149/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    150/152

    V

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    151/152

  • 7/27/2019 Elegias Duino

    152/152