Glacial Errata, No. 80

One: Rainer Maria Rilke, Sonnet to Orpheus, I.19

Wandelt sich rasch auch die Welt
wie Wolkengestalten,
alles Vollendete fällt
heim zum Uralten.

Über dem Wandel und Gang,
weiter und freier,
währt noch dein Vor-Gesang,
Gott mit der Leier.

Nicht sind die Leiden erkannt,
nicht ist die Leibe gelernt,
und was im Tod uns entfernt,

ist nicht entschleiert.
Einzig das Lied überm Land
heiligt und feiert.

Two: trans. Edward Snow

Though the world change swiftly
as the forms in clouds,
all perfected things fall back
to age-old ground.

Over what changes and passes,
wider and freer,
your deep song still hovers,
O god of the lyre.

Pain has not been understood,
love has not been learned,
and what in death removes us

remains undisclosed.
Alone over the land
song hallows and heals.

Three: trans. J. B. Leishman

Change though the world may as fast
as cloud-collections,
home to the changeless at last
fall all perfections.

Over the thrust and the throng,
freer and higher,
echoes your preluding song,
god with the lyre.

Sorrow we misunderstand,
love we have still to begin,
death and what’s hidden therein

await unveiling.
Song alone circles the land,
hallowing and hailing.

Four: trans. A. S. Kline

Though the world alters swiftly
Like patterns of cloud,
All that’s perfected
Returns to its ancient place.

Beyond the change and departure,
Further away, and freer,
Your prelude still endures
God of the lyre.

Suffering is not grasped,
Love is not learned,
nor is that which takes us far-off

In death is ever unveiled.
The song alone, over the earth,
Celebrates, sanctifies.

Five: trans. David Young

Though this world changes
as quickly as cloud-forms,
perfections fall home
to the age-old, the ancient.

Over the changing and crowding,
wider and freer,
we still hear your primal song,
god with the lyre.

Pain is not comprehended,
love isn’t truly learned.
What death erases

is never revealed.
Only the song, across the land,
hallows and praises.

[Header image: clouds above Fjerdebreen glacier, Svalbard, June 15, 2024. Photo by Colin Dickey.]