Imagery in Translation

The poem chosen as the task fortranslation, Поэзш one of the most famous works by Tutchev. Its formplaces it am the lyrical miniatures, or so called "gnomicpoetry," ofwt Tutchev was very fond due to the nature ofhis talent andto education and life experience, as well as his closerelations with German poetic tradition.

Task for comparison: Silentium!

SILENTIUM!

Молчи, скрывайся и таи И чувства и мечты свои — Пускай в душевной глубине Встают и заходят оне Безмолвно, как звезды в ночи, — Любуйся ими — и молчи.

Как сердцу высказать себя? Другому как понять тебя? Поймет ли он, чем ты живешь? Мысль изреченная есть ложь. Взрывая, возмутишь ключи, — Питайся ими — и молчи.

Лишь жить в себе самом умей —
Есть целый мир в душе твоей
Таинственно-волшебных дум; .. . .

Их оглушит наружный шум, Дневные разгонят лучи, — Внимай их пенью — и молчи!..


1 Владимир Соловьев. Поэзия Ф. И. Тютчева/ В. Соловьев. Чтения о богочеловечестве. Статьи. - СПб.: Худ. литература, 1994.

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Практикум по художественному переводу

nslation by Vladimir Nabokov:

Speak not, lie hidden and-conceal The way you dream, the things you feel. Deep in your spirit let them rise Akin to stars in crystal skies That set before the night is blurred: Delight in them — and speak no word.

How can a heart expression find? How should another know your mind? Will he discern what quickens you? A thought once uttered is untrue. Dimmed is the fountainhead when stirred: Drink at the source — and speak no word.

Live in your inner self alone. Within your soul a world has grown, The magic of veiled thoughts that might Be blinded by the outer light, Drowned in the noise of day, unheard... Take in their song — and speak no word.

nslation by Francis Cornford:

Be silent, hide yourself and let Your dreams and longings rise and set In the recesses of your heart; Your dearest treasures, held apart, Your stars, that in the deep of night Entrance your spirit with delight.

How can the heart expression find, Or one man read another's mind, Another know what you live by? A thought when spoken is a lie. And if you stir, you cloud the well. Feed on your dreams, and so be still.