The Bride of Corinth by Wolfgang von Goethe

Translation

Celebrating the life of Johan Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) with a new and very rare translation of “The Bride of Corinth.” Considered one of Goethe’s finest ballads, he composed it as a polemic against the religious fundamentalism of his day. An intuitive mind and seeker of the divine himself, rather than a criticism of Christianity or the teachings of Jesus, Goethe sought to offer a creative challenge those whose faith never reached their heart.

Once there was a daring youth who rode from
Athens to a Corinthian town;
He was excited to meet family, friends,
And his luscious, bride of great renown.
They had recently
Both been dearly
Paired—soon under heaven to be bound.

Although how could such a warm welcome last
If one had to pay so dearly?
He was still among the heathens classed;
She was part of Christ’s new ministry.
With a new creed born,
Love and Truth were torn,
Like some pesty weed pulled from soil and clay.

The whole household was already sleeping,
Only son and mother were awake.
She wished him goodnight, then retreating,
Let him rest and dream the night away:
Food and wine were laid,
Lavishly displayed,
But he slipped into his silken bedsheets.

Caring neither for his hunger nor thirst,
He forgot about sense’s pleasures—
All forgotten by his weary body;
He went to bed still wearing trousers.
But almost sleeping,
A guest came creeping
By his chamber door and breached his quarters.

By her shimmering lamplight, he beheld
A young maiden wearing veil and robe,
With an angel’s graces and satin folds,
And sporting a band of black and gold.
But as she saw him,
By the light so dim,
She revealed a pallid hand all cold.

“Am I so forgotten in this household,
Such that no one cared to even whisper?
Oh! How can my wretched family hold
Me in this dark and dreary chamber?
Suffering must cease,
I will rest in peace,
Fading from this world before I am seen.”