A Translation of the German National Anthem, by James A. Tweedie The Society October 3, 2024 Music, Poetry, Translation 9 Comments . A Translation of the German National Anthem and a Musical Setting for the Tune “Austria” Some months ago, I jotted down a tune that carried a hint of familiarity. The notes bore a resemblance to the tune...
‘Catullus XI’: A Translation by Joseph S. Salemi The Society September 13, 2024 Love Poems, Poetry, Sapphic Verse, Translation 14 Comments . Catullus XI Furius and Aurelius, my two friends, Whether I go to farthest India, The shore by ever-pounding Eastern seas Beaten by tide-waves, To Hyrcania, or Arabia’s pillowed ease, Scythia,...
A Poem for Labor Day and Others by Christine de Pisan, Translated by Margaret Coats The Society September 2, 2024 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Translation 25 Comments . For All Who Labor by Christine de Pisan (1364-c. 1430) Lady, fair branch where God’s grace blooms,Our labors, Saint Bernard assumes,Are benefited by your taskTo help those who ply hoes or broomsWhen night...
Dante Enters Hell: Canto III of Inferno, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society August 11, 2024 Dante, Poetry, Translation 5 Comments . Dante Enters Hell: Canto III of Dante's Inferno by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns THROUGH ME YOU REACH THE CITY OF LAMENT. __THROUGH ME YOU PASS TO EVERLASTING PAIN. __THROUGH ME YOU...
‘Festal Flourish’: Translation of a Poem by Tibullus, by Margaret Coats The Society July 27, 2024 Beauty, Poetry, Translation 24 Comments . Festal Flourish ---on a country festival, by Roman poet Tibullus (55-19 BC), translated by Margaret Coats All here may help to cleanse these fruits and fields! The rite transmits our wise grandparents’...
‘Colors’ by Kukai, Translated by Joshua C. Frank The Society July 18, 2024 Alliterative, Beauty, Poetry, Translation 24 Comments . Colors by Kukai (空海) (774-835) translated by Joshua C. Frank Colors, fragrant like the flowers, Fade to ash in final hours, Extinguished, gone, returning never. No earthborn life can last...
Five Rose Poems by Rainer Maria Rilke, Translated by Alan Orsborn The Society June 18, 2024 Beauty, Music, Poetry, Translation 8 Comments . . Five Rose Poems by Rainer Maria Rilke translated by Alan Orsborn . The Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), writing in both German and French, penned 24 French poems about roses that were...
Poetry from and about Xu Zhimo, by Margaret Coats The Society June 13, 2024 Beauty, Poetry, Translation 30 Comments . Meeting Xu Zhimo by Margaret Coats Three Chinese girls behind me in the line Escape King’s College Chapel evensong; They show a phone, ask where, at once decline Sought-after seats, to rush away...
‘The Song of Everlasting Sorrow’ by Bai Juyi, Translated by Evan Mantyk The Society June 9, 2024 Love Poems, Poetry, Translation 19 Comments . The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi (772-846) wrote this poem about Tang Emperor ("Son of Heaven") Xuanzong (685-762) and his famous concubine and former Taoist nun Yang Guifei, who is...
‘Under the Umbrella’: A Poem by Joshua C. Frank, Inspired by Brassens’ Le Parapluie The Society June 5, 2024 Love Poems, Music, Poetry, Translation 23 Comments . Under the Umbrella inspired by “Le Parapluie” (“The Umbrella”) by Georges Brassens (1921-1981) Rain fell in waves throughout the street; A woman walked with no umbrella. I offered mine; in voice real...
‘A Curse Against a Thief’ from the Carmina Burana, Translated by Joseph S. Salemi The Society May 6, 2024 Humor, Poetry, Translation 27 Comments . A Curse Against a Thief from the Carmina Burana Let the thief who stole my cap be by death collected: Let it happen suddenly, and be unexpected; After death, to endless pain let him be subjected; Once he’s...
‘Carmen’: A Poem by Théophile Gautier, Translated by Bruce Phenix The Society May 2, 2024 Culture, Poetry, Translation 13 Comments . Carmen by Théophile Gautier (1811-1872) translated by Bruce Phenix Carmen is thin—a dark-brown line Of bistre rings her gipsy eye. Her black hair bodes a dark design, The Devil gave her skin its...
May Songs from Miracle Plays, Translated by Margaret Coats The Society May 1, 2024 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Song Lyrics, Translation 19 Comments . May Songs . I. Where does loyalty take its rest? Where is charity’s portraiture, Except in you, sweet virgin pure? Where has virginity possessed The honor due its high allure? Where does loyalty take its...
Spring Poems from the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907), Translated by Evan Mantyk The Society April 10, 2024 Beauty, Poetry, Translation 20 Comments . Poem I of the three Quiet and Peaceful Melody Poems by Li Bai The clouds like swirling clothes, the flowers like a face, The Spring breeze brushes railings, dewdrops condensate. If you don’t see her at the...
‘The Nymph’ by Góngora and Other Poetry by Nervo and Vega, Translated by Alan Steinle The Society March 2, 2024 Beauty, Love Poems, Poetry, Translation 8 Comments . The Nymph by Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561-1627) translated by Alan Steinle As morning sunlight first began to show, a nymph went out to tread the verdant plain. Although she plucked some flowers for a...
‘O Darling Turtledove’ and Other Poems by Tasso, Translated by Daniel Howard The Society February 28, 2024 Love Poems, Poetry, Translation 6 Comments . Poems by Torquato Tasso (1544-1595) translated by Daniel Howard . O Darling Turtledove __Oh darling turtledove, __You for your partner pine, And I lament the one that was not mine. __Widow who lost your...
‘In the Woods’ by Eduard Mörike, Translated by Alan Steinle The Society February 17, 2024 Beauty, Poetry, Translation 20 Comments . In the Woods by Eduard Mörike (1804-1875) translated from German by Alan Steinle While lying on the grass beneath the leaves, I listen to a cuckoo's mournful song. His melody flows gently out along the...
Catullus’s Poems 101 and 51, Translated Bruce Phenix The Society February 16, 2024 Beauty, Love Poems, Poetry, Translation 12 Comments . Poem 101 by Catullus (circa 84-54 BC) translated by Bruce Phenix Conveyed through many countries, over many seas, to these poor funerary offerings I come to give you, brother, that last present for the...
‘Ash Wednesday Valentines’: Poems by Charles d’Orléans, Translated by Margaret Coats The Society February 13, 2024 Culture, Love Poems, Poetry, Translation 27 Comments . Ash Wednesday Valentines by Charles d’Orléans (1394-1465), translated by Margaret Coats . I. Who’s there? Who comes so early, who? “It’s I myself.” Saint Valentine, you! Why turn up now at...
The Monster Geryon: Canto XVII of Dante’s Inferno, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society February 10, 2024 Dante, Poetry, Translation 6 Comments . The Monster Geryon: Canto XVII of Dante’s Inferno by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns “Behold the stinger tail upon that freak! ____a mythical monstrous king of Spain __He soars...
‘Song of the Snow’ by Amado Nervo, Translated by Isabel Chenot The Society January 15, 2024 Beauty, Poetry, Translation 12 Comments . Song of the Snow by Amado Nervo (1870-1919) translated by Isabel Chenot How miraculous Nature is! Doesn't the snow give light? Immaculate and mysterious, tremulous and quiet: it appears to kneel in noiseless...
Our Faith Is What?—Canto XXIV of Dante’s Paradise, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society January 8, 2024 Dante, Poetry, Translation 6 Comments . Our Faith Is What?--- Canto XXIV of Paradise by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns “O fellowship elected to the feast ____Beatrice says to those amid the fixed stars __of our blessed...
Translation and Musical Arrangement of Old French Carol, by James A. Tweedie The Society December 20, 2023 Culture, Music, Poetry, Translation 8 Comments . Whence Come You, Shepherdess? . Translator's Note: “D’où Viens-tu, Bergère” was one of a number of old songs and carols from the French region of Périgord collected by Emmanuel Casse and Eugène...
Death in Life, Life in Death: Canto XXXIII of Inferno, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society November 29, 2023 Dante, Poetry, Translation 15 Comments . Death in Life, Life in Death: Canto XXXIII of Inferno by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns The sinner raised his face from that foul meal ____shade eating another’s head __and wiped...
‘The Navy’ and Other Love Poems by Paul Fort, Translated by Joshua C. Frank The Society November 12, 2023 Love Poems, Music, Poetry, Translation 10 Comments . The Navy by Paul Fort (1872-1960) translated by Joshua C. Frank We find them all again in brief In little loves that last one day, Every joy and care and grief Of loves that shall forever stay— The...
Traitors on Ice: Canto XXXII of Inferno, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society November 5, 2023 Dante, Poetry, Translation 5 Comments . . Traitors on Ice: Canto XXXII of Inferno by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns . If I could summon up such raucous rasp __in rhymes as could apply to that sad sluice____Ninth Circle of...
‘All Saints Day’ and Other Spiritual Sonnets by Coignard, Translated by Margaret Coats The Society November 1, 2023 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Translation 19 Comments . All Saints' Day by Gabrielle de Coignard (c.1550–1586), translated by Margaret Coats O Saints, you have your heritage in hand Because you battled Satan’s sanctimony! Though burned or tortured, you gave...
‘Autumn’ by Rilke and ‘The Art of Poetry’ by Verlaine, Translated by Bruce Phenix The Society October 27, 2023 Beauty, Poetry, Translation 23 Comments . Autumn by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), translated by Bruce Phenix The falling leaves seem fallen from afar, as though in heaven distant gardens faded; they fall with gestures that deny, negate. And,...
Book Review: Selected Verse of Émile Nelligan: Québec’s Great Lyric Poet, by Ian Allaby The Society October 26, 2023 Poetry, Reviews, Translation 8 Comments . Reviewed Book: Selected Verse of Émile Nelligan: Québec's Great Lyric Poet, translated with commentary by Ian Allaby, Petra Books, 2023 by Gabriella Bedetti His masts touched the sky, he sailed on seas...
The Lowest Heaven: Canto III of Paradise, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society October 7, 2023 Beauty, Dante, Poetry, Translation 10 Comments . The Lowest Heaven: Canto III of Paradise by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns The sun which with first love had warmed my breast ____Beatrice __now showed, in her reproving, proving...
‘With a Smile of the Heart’ (Circa 1200), Translated by Margaret Coats The Society October 5, 2023 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Translation 18 Comments . Introduction This long lyric of short lines has pairs of stanzas linked in rhyme. It is a sequence honoring Gilbert of Sempringham (1083–1189, canonized 1202), founder of the Catholic Church’s only...
Wings of Desire: Canto I of Paradise, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society September 11, 2023 Beauty, Culture, Dante, Poetry, Translation 10 Comments . . Wings of Desire: Canto I of Paradise by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns . God’s glory, which moves all, sends beams to bless __each thing in space, reflected just as bright __as...
Wandering Songs by Joseph von Eichendorff, Translated by Margaret Coats The Society August 24, 2023 Beauty, Poetry, Translation 38 Comments . The Merry Wanderer When God wills man to know His favor, He sends him where the wide world gleams And makes him wonder at the splendor Of mountains, forests, fields and streams. The lazybones at home lies...
Virgil Departs, Beatrice Arrives: Canto XXX of Purgatory, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society August 18, 2023 Beauty, Dante, Epic, Poetry, Translation 9 Comments . . Virgil Departs, Beatrice Arrives: Canto XXX of Purgatory by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns . Now when the primal Heaven’s Septentrion—____seven lights of the Holy...
Excerpt from ‘Panchavati’ by Maithili Sharan Gupt, Translated by Paddy Raghunathan The Society July 15, 2023 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Translation 10 Comments . Panchavati, An Introduction by Maithili Sharan Gupt (1886-1964) translated by Paddy Raghunathan The full moon’s mesmerizing rays Appear to skim the lake and sand, As moonlight, fresh, diffuses...
Virgil Recalls Meeting Beatrice: Canto II of Inferno by Dante Alighieri, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society July 1, 2023 Dante, Poetry, Translation 9 Comments . Virgil Recalls Meeting Beatrice: Canto II of Inferno by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns . The light was failing and the air embrowned, __relieving every creature of the...
Beatrice and the Ineffable Smile: Canto XXIII of Paradise by Dante Alighieri, Translated by Stephen Binns The Society May 24, 2023 Beauty, Dante, Epic, Poetry, Translation 6 Comments . Beatrice and the Ineffable Smile: Canto XXIII of Paradise by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns Just as a bird that stands watch to ensure __the safety of her brood, beside the...
Poems from ‘The Still Beloved’ by Amado Nervo, Translated by Alan Steinle The Society May 21, 2023 Beauty, Love Poems, Poetry, Translation 22 Comments . Poems from 'The Still Beloved' ('La Amada Inmóvil') by Amado Nervo (1870-1919) translated from the Spanish by Alan Steinle The poems below are selections from the book La Amada Inmóvil: Versos a Una...
Book Review: Seven Poems by Jacob Balde, Translated by Karl Maurer The Society May 20, 2023 Poetry, Reviews, Translation 5 Comments . Reviewed Book: Seven Poems by Jacob Balde (Translated by Karl Maurer) Cooper and Posey, 2023 by Monika Cooper In 2022, a small and brand-new press launched a paper ship, full of herbs and poppies from...
‘On the Divine Mercy’: A Poem by Eustache Deschamps, Translated by Margaret Coats The Society May 11, 2023 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Translation 29 Comments . On the Divine Mercy Seven times the just man falls, and rises again. ---Proverbs 24:16 by Eustache Deschamps (1346-1406) translated by Margaret Coats The just man seven times a day offends, Says Solomon’s...