Translation: W.E.B. DuBois
Mariann T. Woodward
I am a graduate student of English literature, and in a course last
semester, we read W.E.B. Dubois' *The Soul of Black Folk.* Prefacing
chapter four was a quote in German. The class is relatively small, and no
one speaks German, so we were wondering what the text means and how it
related to DuBois and the chapter. Now, I haven't been able to find a
translation to even begin speculating on the relationship to DuBois, so I
thought I'd start by checking here. :)
Here is the quote --
Willst Du Deine Macht verkünden,
Wähle sie die frei von Sünden,
Steh'n in Deinem ew'gen Haus!
Deine Geister sende aus!
Die Unsterblichen, die Reinen,
Die nicht fühlen, die nicht weinen!
Nicht die zarte Jungfrau wähle,
Nicht der Hirtin weiche Seele!
SCHILLER.
If anyone can translate this, or if I can be directed to the proper
newsgroup, etc., I know that the class and I would be most grateful for any
assistance!
Thanks,
Mariann
** please remove REMOVE from e-mail addy to reply via mail **
gek
"Mariann T. Woodward" a écrit :
> Greetings -
>
> I am a graduate student of English literature, and in a course last
> semester, we read W.E.B. Dubois' *The Soul of Black Folk.* Prefacing
> chapter four was a quote in German. The class is relatively small, and no
> one speaks German, so we were wondering what the text means and how it
> related to DuBois and the chapter. Now, I haven't been able to find a
> translation to even begin speculating on the relationship to DuBois, so I
> thought I'd start by checking here. :)
>
> Here is the quote --
>
> Willst Du Deine Macht verkünden,
If you want to show your power,
> Wähle sie die frei von Sünden,
make sure it's free of sins,
> Steh'n in Deinem ew'gen Haus!
standing in your eternal home!
> Deine Geister sende aus!
send your spirits out!
> Die Unsterblichen, die Reinen,
the immortal, the pure,
> Die nicht fühlen, die nicht weinen!
who don't feel, who don't weep,
> Nicht die zarte Jungfrau wähle,
Don't choose the sensuous virgin,
> Nicht der Hirtin weiche Seele!
not the shepherd's soft soul!
Thomas Schenk
[...]
> Willst Du Deine Macht verkünden,
> Wähle sie die frei von Sünden,
> Steh'n in Deinem ew'gen Haus!
> Deine Geister sende aus!
> Die Unsterblichen, die Reinen,
> Die nicht fühlen, die nicht weinen!
> Nicht die zarte Jungfrau wähle,
> Nicht der Hirtin weiche Seele!
> SCHILLER.
Good Morning, Mariann,
Unfortunately I haven't read Dubois "The Soul of Black Folk", and
therefore I'm quite unable to analyze the relationship of the Schiller
citation to the content of the book in question. However, I can try to
give you a few clues as to how you might pursue the quotation from its
source.
The lines come from Act IV, Scene 1 of Friedrich Schiller's well-known
(to Germans) historical drama "Die Jungfrau von Orleans" ("The Maid of
Orleans"), a translation of which will probably be found in most college
libraries. This particular selection is from a soliloquy in the form of
a prayer, in which Joan of Arc (Johanna)questions her competence to
perform the assignment that she feels has been thrust upon her. I'm sure
a canonical translation will be of greater literary benefit to you than
my humble rendering, which follows:
"If Thou wouldst show Thy power,
then do it with those who are free from sin,
and who stand in Thy eternal home!
Send out Thy immortal spirits,
insensate, and who do not cry!
But not the gentle maiden, this
tender soul of the shepherds."
I hope this will be somehow helpful in your discussion.
Tom
Ingmar Greil
you know, poetry is always hardest to translate. (and it won't rhyme,
either :) anyway, i'll try. corrections welcome.
> Willst Du Deine Macht verkünden,
should you want to announce your might
> Wähle sie die frei von Sünden,
chose those, that are free of sin
> Steh'n in Deinem ew'gen Haus!
standing in your eternal house
> Deine Geister sende aus!
send out your spirits
> Die Unsterblichen, die Reinen,
the immortals, the pure ones,
> Die nicht fühlen, die nicht weinen!
those who do not feel, those who do not cry!
> Nicht die zarte Jungfrau wähle,
do not chose the tender virgin,
> Nicht der Hirtin weiche Seele!
not the herdswoman's [1] soft soul!
HTH,
ingmar
[1] or shepherd, but female in any case
--
People will buy anything that's one to a customer.
João Luiz
I would really like ti give a try, but i got stuck in the 2nd and 3rd lines.
Are they correct?
> Here is the quote --
>
> Willst Du Deine Macht verkünden, If you want to demonstrate your power
> Wähle sie die frei von Sünden, Choose the ones that, free of sins,
(Shoulndn't there be a comma here?)
> Steh'n in Deinem ew'gen Haus! Will remain in your eternal home!
> Deine Geister sende aus! Send out your spirits!
> Die Unsterblichen, die Reinen, The immortal, the pure,
> Die nicht fühlen, die nicht weinen! Those who don't feel and who don't cry!
> Nicht die zarte Jungfrau wähle, Do not choose the tender virgin,
> Nicht der Hirtin weiche Seele! Not the (she) shepherd's soft soul!
> SCHILLER.
JL
Mariann T. Woodward
haven't yet applied it to the text -- graduate comps kept me busy all
weekend -- I will be taking it with me to class so we can all brainstorm
together on the quoted selection's relationship to DuBois' work. :)
Thanks again,
Mariann
"I may disagree with everything you say, but will defend unto death your
right to say it." -- Voltaire