Translations of poems by Rilke and Baudelaire with translators’ names

Compare and contrast the selection of translations of the two poems, one by Charles
Baudelaire and one by Rainer Maria Rilke.
Consider how aspects of form and content are handled in the various translations.
What variations in meaning result from the translator’s art?
Discuss the different translations of each poem with your group.
Identify key points in each version which affected your understanding of the poem.
Which translation did you find to be most successful as a poem and why?

Der Panther by Rainer Maria Rilke (Original poem)

Sein Blick ist von Vorübergehen der Stäbe

so müd geworden, daß er nichts mehr hält.
Ihm ist, als ob es tausend Stäbe gäbe
und hinter tausend Stäben keine Welt.

Der weiche Gang geschmeidig starker Schritte,

der sich im allerkleinsten Kreise dreht,
ist wie ein Tanz von Kraft um eine Mitte,
in der betäubt ein großer Wille steht.

Nur manchmal schiebt der Vorhang der Pupille

sich lautlos auf—. Dann geht ein Bild hinein,
geht durch der Glieder angespannte Stille—
und hört im Herzen auf zu sein.

Translation 1.
The Panther

His glance so tired from staring through the bars

That nothing registers. To him it’s like a thousand bars
And behind a thousand bars
No world.

The soft, smooth gait of strong steps

Which turn in ever decreasing circles,
Is like a dance of power around a centre
In which stand dazed a mighty spirit.

Now and then, the eyelid silently slides open

Then an image enters
Goes through the quiet tension of the limbs
And in the heart ends.

Translation by C.Trimming
Translation 2
The Panther

His weary glance, from passing by the bars,

Has grown into a dazed and vacant stare;
It seems to him there are a thousand bars
And out beyond those bars the empty air.

The pad of his strong feet, that ceaseless sound

Of supple tread behind the iron bands,
Is like a dance of strength circling around,
While in the circle, stunned, a great will stands.

But there are times the pupils of his eyes

Dilate, the strong limbs stand alert, apart,
Tense with the flood of visions that arise
Only to sink and die within his heart;

Translated by Jessie Lamont

(gutenberg.org)

Translation 3
The Panther

His look is from passing the bars

Become so tired that he no longer holds anything.
He feels as if there are a thousand bars
And behind a thousand bars, no world.

The soft gait of supple strong footsteps,

That turns in the smallest circle,
Is like a dance of power around a middle,
In the stunned a great will stands.

Only sometimes does the curtain push the pupil

Silently open. Then a picture goes in,
Goes through the limbs of tense silence
And stop being in the heart.
(Google translate 17.01.19)
Les Hiboux by Charles Baudelaire (original poem)

Sous les ifs noirs qui les abritent

Les hiboux se tiennent rangés
Ainsi que des dieux étrangers
Dardant leur oeil rouge. Ils méditent.

Sans remuer ils se tiendront

Jusqu'à l'heure mélancolique
Où, poussant le soleil oblique,
Les ténèbres s'établiront.

Leur attitude au sage enseigne

Qu'il faut en ce monde qu'il craigne
Le tumulte et le mouvement;

L'homme ivre d'une ombre qui passe

Porte toujours le châtiment
D'avoir voulu changer de place.

Translation 4.
Owls

Beneath the shades of sombre yews,

The silent owls sit ranged in rows,
Like ancient idols, strangely pose,
And darting fiery eyes, they muse.

Immovable, they sit and gaze,

Until the melancholy hour,
At which the darknesses devour
The faded sunset's slanting rays.

Their attitude, instructs the wise,

That he—within this world—who flies
From tumult and from merriment;

The man allured by a passing face,

For ever bears the chastisement
Of having wished to change his place.

Translated by Cyril Scott (gutenberg.org)

Translation 5
THE OWLS

'Neath their black yews in solemn state

The owls are sitting in a row
Like foreign gods; and even so
Blink their red eyes; they meditate.

Quite motionless they hold them thus

Until at last the day is done,
And driving down the slanting sun,
The sad night is victorious.

They teach the wise who gives them ear

That in this world he most should fear
All things which loud or restless be.

Who, dazzled by a passing shade,

Follows it, never will be free
Till the dread penalty be paid.
J.C.Squire (gutenberg.org)

Translation 6
THE OWLS

Under the black yews that shelter them

Owls stand in a row
As well as foreign gods
Darding their red eye. They meditate.

Without stirring they will stand

Until melancholy time
Where, pushing the sun oblique,
Darkness will be established.

Their attitude to the wise teaches

That it is necessary in this world that he fear
The tumult and the movement;

The drunk man from a passing shadow

Always bear the punishment
To have wanted to change places.
(Google translate 17.01.19)