Goethe in Roman Campagna (1786) by J H W Tischbein
… Science arose from poetry … when times change the two can meet again on a higher level as friends … J W von Goethe
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
It’s my day – since for once
The old one has gone
So now the spirits shall live
And do exactly as I say
I took note of the words
The custom – the spells
So with strong resolve
I’ll work miracles as well.
Rise up and surge
Across the gap
To the end that
Water may flow
And in rich effusion
Fill the tub for my bath
Come old broom,
Take those tattered rags
Slave you’ve been for aeons
Now let my will be your task!
On two legs stand
With a head atop
Get on with it – hurry
With the water pot!
Rise up and surge
Across the gap
To the end that
Water may flow
And in rich effusion
Fill the tub for my bath
Look – he’s running to the shore
Indeed has reached the river
And with lightning speed
Returns to pour once more
A second time already!
How the pool is brimming!
How each new pail
With water fills!
Stand still!
You’ve done your lot
Richly measured
Were your favours!
Stop! Stop! Oh woe!
The word – I forgot
Oh – the word that in the end
Will make him what he’s been!
There he runs and nimbly drags!
Would you be the broom of old!
More floods he rapidly relays
In quick succession
A hundred rivers
Rush at me
No! I can’t allow
This any longer
I’ll seize him!
This is malice!
I’m growing fearful now
What mien! What scowl!
Oh you hellish brainchild
Shall the whole house drown?
Over every sill I see
Floods of water surging
What a hideous broom!
That will not listen!
Rod that you’ve been
Stand but still again!
So you won’t quit?
I’ll catch and grab you
And with a sharp axe
I’ll swiftly split
The parched wood
Neatly down the middle!
Look – dragging he returns!
I’ll throw myself at you – sprite
Promptly you’re down
Crushing sinks the smooth blade
Bravely aimed indeed!
Look – in two he’s broken!
Now I can hope
My breath is freed!
Oh woe! Oh woe!
Both parts
Stand up in haste
As slaves
Complete and ready!
Help me – oh mighty powers!
And they’re racing on! Awash
Are hall and staircase
What an abysmal span of water
All the wise – hear my plight!
Oh – the old one comes – at last!
Great is the need!
The spirits I have called upon
I cannot now release.
‘Into the corner
With you Brooms!
Be no more!
Since as spirits
For their purpose
Only the wise call you forth.’
* * *
‘Der Zauberlehrling’ by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Translation: Ashen Venema, November 2006
* * *
I grew up with Goethe’s work and it still inspires. Occasionally I attempt free translations of German poems. I work on them forever, never satisfied. Those who know other translations of ‘Der Zauberlehrling’ may enjoy the subtleties. The poem is timeless. There are two kinds of ‘Will’ – the personal and the universal, to harmonise them is a lifelong task.
Course of Mirrors 
and yet try as I might it was Disney who kept taking control of my mind. It was that broom that did it, darn – sorry
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I was spared 🙂 didn’t grow up with Disney.
His lavish branding of stories eclipsed a few wonderful writers, including P.L. Travers, who, beyond Mary Poppins, wrote excellent essays worth looking up.
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Beautiful translation, Ashen. We studied Goethe in school as a writer and botanist. His Faust is one of my favorite books-in-verses.
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Thanks, Grisha, for your visit, Goethe’s work is worth exploring. I must make time to read in a fine German edition I have of his Italian travels. He was a fine observer, of life … plants, colours, people and cultures.
I’m looking forward to your Mini Guide to Modern Russian Books.
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thank you, Ashen, this Italian travelog sounds great. Yeah, I’m busy working on the guide , it’s more work than I thought 🙂
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It will be worthwhile.
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As you can imagine I danced at the quote! But just as much at the translation. You solidly proceed from day to day mastering things! Congratulations.
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Yes, let’s hope it comes true. I thought of you when choosing the quote.
Mastering things, oh I wish 🙂 But thank you.
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We used to live very close to this statue in Chicago, which always felt like it was for me and all others with mostly German ancestry :-). Lovely poem. http://www.cpdit01.com/resources/planning-and-development.fountains-monuments-and-sculptures/Lincoln%20Park/Monument%20to%20Johann%20Wolfgang%20von%20Goethe.pdf
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Thanks. Wow, as it says, the statue expresses the spirit, yes, and is olympian for sure. Shows how highly he was respected. Wonder what G. would’ve made of it though.
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Wonderful Ashen- I’ve been wanting to read Goethe’s theory on colours for some time. You’ve inspired me to read him, never have but look forward to it. Any recommended translators( apart from yourself,ha!)
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I’m not knowledgable re: good translations of Goethe’s work, but the Goethe Institute has a list of translators. I recently read translations by Susan Bernofsky http://www.goethe.de/ins/se/prj/uar/eng/ueb/ber/enindex.htm
And Shaun Whiteside did a good translation of Marlene Haushofer’s ‘Die Wand. (The Wall). And Stephen Mitchell did some wonderful translations of Rilke’s poems.
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I don’t know why but while reading this I kept thinking of Beowulf, probably the story in verse elements, dream quality and the magic realism I love so much, mysterious, ambiguous, full of subtlety. Love it!
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I’m not familiar with Boewulf. I know your writings are inspired by Anglo Saxon myths. I discovered an interesting article on the translation of Boewulf … Tolkien versus Heaney … http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/06/02/slaying-monsters
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Even as a child, I never cared for the Disney version (one of my least favourite tableaux in the otherwise splendid ‘Fantasia’, even though I liked Dukas’s music). I love Goethe’s poem – it’s so full of common sense – and your translation reads in a light and effervescent way. Thank you!
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I used to be addicted to the weekly instalments of Micky Mouse magazines, but like you, did not care for the mega Disney films.
I’m pleased you like my translation of ‘Der Zauberlehrling.’ Thank you Katia.
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