wegelin wrote:Dear GentleReader9:
Do you know the author of that translation of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" of which you posted an excerpt?
Thanks
wegelin
Wegelin,
the author was Joseph R. Auslander, first Poet Laureate of the USA (1937-1941), and
Consultant in English Poetry at Library of Congress.
This is the poem text from the back of the original LP RCA Victor LM-1803 - Peter & the Wolf/Sorcerer's Apprentice etc. Richard Hale narrated the poem.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Creative Translation of the Goethe Text
by Joseph Auslander
So he's gone, the wise old wizard,
And for once alone I find me;
And I feel it in my gizzard
I can make his spirits mind me.
Each look, each word he muttered
I marked. With much ado,
With spirits nicely buttered
I'll make magic too.
Wander! Wander!
Faster! Faster!
Fetch your master
Water gushing
From the fountain! Let it thunder
Down the bath in torrents rushing!
Now come, old broom! Stop acting surly!
Wrap the ragged ragmops round you!
You have served him late and early;
To my bidding now I've bound you.
With two legs for prancing,
A head and hands galore,
Quick, some necromancing -
Make that bucket pour!
Wander! Wander!
Faster! Faster!
Fetch your master
Water gushing
From the fountain! Let it thunder
Down the bath in torrents rushing!
Look! Down to the shore he's pouncing;
There! He's at the stream already;
Back like lightning see the bouncing
Rascal pour his pails right steady.
Once more! Watch him hasten!
High the bath-floor swills;
Now each trough and basin
Sloshes to the gills!
Hoa there! Stay now!
Thumping measure
Of your treasure
Have you given!
Blast my luck, what do I say now?
Mind's a blank, so help me Heaven!
Where's the word that marks the Master?
What's the word that halts the slave?
Lord, the rogue runs ever faster!
My old broom's a churlish knave!
Without further warrant,
Back and forth hops he,
Torrent upon torrent
Splashing over me.
Nay, no longer
Shall it ease him;
Nay, I'll seize him!
Curse such creatures!
As he runs, the imp grows stronger.
Look, what gestures! See, what features!
O you sprig of hell, unblushing!
Won't you stop until you've drowned me?
Over sills already rushing,
Walls of water rise around me.
Blasted broomstick, never
Will you quit this game?
Be a broom forever!
Stand stock still for shame!
Do you still
Refuse to hear me?
Now, then, fear me!
Now I'll stop you!
Come, O sharp-toothed axe, and kill!
Head from trunk, old stick, I'll chop you!
Ah, he comes towards me wobblin'!
Now I'll snatch him! How I'll split him!
Swift I'll cut you down, old goblin!
Bing! Bang! Hear the keen blade hit him!
Oh, such a bold stroke surely!
Now he's cleft in twain!
Now I'll hope securely,
I may breathe again!
Oh, help! Another!
Both halves, leaping,
Hurry heaping
Water, water!
Each half vying with his brother!
Heavens! Spare me further slaughter!
Wet and wetter still they scamper
Up the stairs and through the hall now!
What a deluge! What a damper!
Lord and Master, hear me bawl now! . . .
Ah, at last the Master!
Lord, your imps run free!
Messed up in disaster,
Take a squint at me!
Back you tumble,
Broom! Broom!
Back to gloom
Of mop and plaster!
Pay no mind what greenhorns mumble!
You jump only for your master!