Verses by Sophie Albrecht, translated by Julia Kalman
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Like you bloom, faithful violets fair,
Sweet-scented, quiet, a moment rare,
What his love bestowed upon me;
Soon stolen by another’s kiss, alas,
The faithless one took what once was mine, alas,
Soon, violets, you’ll bloom by my grave, you’ll see!
Why?
Why, rose, do you bloom so fair,
And scent the air so sweet?
Why, gentle zephyr, do you dare
To whisper and to greet? –
Oh rose! exhale a scent of death,
To this long-tormented heart;
Come, harsh North! with icy breath,
And scatter Zephyr’s playful art.
To the pallid crown of death alone,
Can you adorn me, rose, in splendor;
You, winds, can only bring tears to atone,
As you kiss my cheeks, so tender.
Away! — flee to the false-hearted man,
Tell him of my steadfast love’s decree,
And to my grave, when time span,
Bring tears of his remorse for me.
Into the Distance
Know naught of my anguished strife,
Let the pain within me seethe;
Dream only of the joy of reunion, life,
Let your heart beat with mirth, and breathe.
Softly and calmly, let slumber embrace,
As the West caresses the land;
Ah, restless anguish of love’s chase,
Is but for women to understand.
Love
Sweet torment within my soul does swell,
From his tender name, it wells,
Calls with a thousandfold pain:
Never have I loved as I do now, in vain!
This beating, this longing, tell,
Ah! To whom does this flame compel?
Are these tears for virtue, as they dwell?
Or are they dedicated to lust’s spell?
Longing, as none have known before,
Since love a woman’s heart first tore,
Are you weaving our bonds so tight?
Will innocence still be our guiding light?
A thousand bold desires quake and soar,
Pulses recklessly venture and explore –
If I were to name them, their names implore,
Shame would flush my brow, and more.
Even virtue’s stern bust, once pure and sure,
Since his lips met mine, feels less demure,
Transformed into the goddess of love, for sure.
Sophie Albrecht (1756–1840) was a German actress and writer.
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Julia Kalman 