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Archaic Torso of Apollo

by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926)
translated from German by Josh Olson

We cannot know that enigmatic head
in which his eyes once ripened. Even so,
his torso bears a candelabra glow,
wherein the rays his downturned glances shed

hold fast and shine. Thus, you are blinded by
the curving breast; thus, in the subtle arcing
of hip and thigh a smile emerges, marking
that center where his fertile powers lie.

Were it not so, this stone would stand defaced,
cut short beneath the shoulders’ pale cascade,
and would not flicker like a panther’s hide,

or burst forth like a star on every side:
you find whichever angle it is faced,
it looks at you. Your life must be remade.

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Translator’s Note: I follow Stephen Mitchell’s rendering in using the word “cascade” in line 10; beside that, however, this translation is fully original.

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Original German

Archaïscher Torso Apollos

Wir kannten nicht sein unerhörtes Haupt,
darin die Augenäpfel reiften. Aber
sein Torso glüht noch wie ein Kandelaber,
in dem sein Schauen, nur zurückgeschraubt,

sich hält und glänzt. Sonst könnte nicht der Bug
der Brust dich blenden, und im leisen Drehen
der Lenden könnte nicht ein Lächeln gehen
zu jener Mitte, die die Zeugung trug.

Sonst stünde dieser Stein entstellt und kurz
unter der Schultern durchsichtigem Sturz
und flimmerte nicht so wie Raubtierfelle;

und bräche nicht aus allen seinen Rändern
aus wie ein Stern: den da ist keine Stelle,
die dich nicht sieht. Du mußt dein Leben ändern.

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Reconciliation

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
translated from German by Josh Olson

Desire begets affliction!—who can banish
Despair from hearts bereaved of highest gain?
Where are the hours that all too swiftly vanish?
You chose the loveliest, and chose in vain.
Beginnings darken now; the mind grows clouded;
To every sense the noble world lies shrouded.

Then music floats to us on angels’ wings—
Its myriad voices weave and coalesce
To touch the fount from which our essence springs,
To dazzle with eternal loveliness:
Eyes glisten, and we sense the holy worth
Of music and the tears that it draws forth.

And thus the brightened heart soon recognizes
That it still lives and beats, and joys in beating,
And, grateful for so rich a gift, it rises
To offer up itself in kind, entreating
That from now on it might forever prove
The double bliss of music and of love.

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Original German

Aussöhnung

Die Leidenschaft bringt Leiden!—Wer beschwichtigt
Beklommnes Herz, das allzuviel verloren?
Wo sind die Stunden, überschnell verflüchtigt?
Vergebens war das Schönste dir erkoren!
Trüb ist der Geist, verworren das Beginnen;
Die hehre Welt, wie schwindet sie den Sinnen!

Da schwebt hervor Musik mit Engelschwingen,
Verflicht zu Millionen Tön um Töne,
Des Menschen Wesen durch und durch zu dringen,
Zu überfüllen ihn mit ew’ger Schöne:
Das Auge netzt sich, fühlt im höhern Sehnen
Den Götter-Wert der Töne wie der Tränen.

Und so das Herz erleichtert merkt behende,
Daß es noch lebt und schlägt und möchte schlagen,
Zum reinsten Dank der überreichen Spende
Sich selbst erwidernd willig darzutragen.
Da fühlte sich—o daß es ewig bliebe!—
Das Doppel-Glück der Töne wie der Liebe.

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Josh Olson resides in North Carolina.

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10 Responses

  1. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Great interpretations of two wonderful classics, Josh. Love and music do indeed go together and fortify each other.

    Reply
  2. Cheryl A Corey

    Josh, I don’t know German, but your English poems are wonderful.

    Reply
  3. Paul A. Freeman

    The essence of a man or deity above the neck and below the waist is gone, yet so much is still on show and so telling. Having lost a fair few pounds recently, although my torso’s neither that of Apollo, nor Adonis for that matter, I appreciate the poem and am spurred on to gain that unreachable ‘candelabra glow’.

    ‘Reconciliation’ brought to mind how music and lyrics revive even those minds most affected by ‘forgetfulness’. As I listen to 1990s dance music – not the most vaunted of genres – it brings back fond memories of my days in Africa.

    Thanks for the reads, Josh.

    Reply
    • JOSHUA D OLSON

      Thank you for reading and for your comments. When I submitted these I hadn’t even thought about the fact that they are both ekphrastic poems—taking a work of art as the poem’s subject. It is indeed wonderful how Goethe and Rilke help to impart an elevated appreciation of these different artistic media.

      Reply
  4. Scharlie Meeuws

    As a native German and from young on a Rilke and Goethe lover, I must say, I am impressed by your translation, words and melody of rhyme are tallied here, which is one of the most difficult ways for a translator, especially when I think of Rilke’s incredible ways with words.

    Reply
    • Josh Olson

      Thank you, Scharlie, for your kind words. That really means a lot. I am a huge fan of the German poets (Goethe is my all-time favorite), and of course Rilke is amazing too. Introducing these incredible poets to English readers is a big passion for me.

      Reply
  5. Adam Sedia

    These are both engaging and competent translations of two wonderful works. Both preserve form and rhyme and are exceptionally faithful to the original.

    I am particularly struck by the Rilke. I was surprised to see him not only write a sonnet, but in a much more accessible and less dense style than his famous Duino elegies.

    Reply
    • Josh Olson

      Thank you, Adam, for your kind comments. Yes, Rilke does have a number of poems in a more traditional, classical style. He really was able to pull off traditional form in a very elegant manner.

      Reply

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