Friday, February 26, 2021

 

Life's Delight

Goethe, Iphigenia in Tauris 2.1.701-706 (their, them, they = the gods; tr. Roy Pascal):
If by their grace a man does deeds of joy,
Rescues his loved ones from disaster,
If he expands his realm, secures his frontiers,
And sees old enemies take flight or fall,
Then he may give them thanks! For they
Have granted him life's first and last delight.

Wenn sie dem Menschen frohe Tat bescheren,
Dass er ein Unheil von den Seinen wendet,
Dass er sein Reich vermehrt, die Grenzen sichert,
Und alte Feinde fallen oder fliehn;
Dann mag er danken! denn ihm hat ein Gott
Des Lebens erste, letzte Lust gegönnt.



<< Home
Newer›  ‹Older

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?