Poetry Translation

Two Are Four

Original English Poem
by Turner Cassity

Night without attribute,
To which you bring all elements in turn:
Air intermittent in your throat;
Earth errant in your heart.
Bright water where your wet lips part
For fire I bring you, even as you burn.

Translation Bake-Off: Submission Deadline almost here

Submitted by Alex Pepple on Tue, 07/14/2009 - 12:51.

This is a reminder to those who wish to participate in the Translation Bake-off as announced at the Distinguished Guest Forum that the deadline is almost here. Submit BEFORE THIS THURSDAY or lose your chance to participate!

Cheers,
...Alex

Alex Pepple's blog
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Translation Bake-Off: Clarification on the Call for Submissions

Submitted by Alex Pepple on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 21:02.

Some of you want to know if previously published translations are accepted for the translation bake-off as announced at, the Eratosphere Distinguished Guest Forum. The simple answer is, yes!

As with our recently concluded and highly successful sonnet bake-off, your translation may be unpublished or published (however, do not send translations published in anthologies or trade press books). You may also acknowledge the journal of initial publication.

Call for Translations submission for the Able Muse / Eratosphere TRANSLATION BAKE-OFF

Submitted by Alex Pepple on Thu, 06/11/2009 - 18:05.

The Able Muse / Eratosphere Annual Translation Bake-off is here. Our very own Eratosphere classicist, Dr. Chris Childers, has just kicked off the event with a call for submissions. Chris will be screening the material for the our Distinguished Guest for translataion and Final Judge, Rachel Hadas (see bio below). I'm appending Chris' announcement next for those interested in submitting and/or participating. -- Alex.

- Able Muse: http://www.ablemuse.com
- Eratosphere Forums: http://www.ablemuse.com/erato/

english translation

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audio of The Sultan’s Crown

Jeffrey Einboden, John Slater reads the poem in translation, The Sultan’s Crown by Hafiz (translated from the Persian.)

The Sultan’s Crown

original Persian poem

The Sultan's Crown - Persian Original

دمی با غم بسر بردن جهان یکسر نمی‌ارزد
به می بفروش دلق ما کزین بهتر نمی‌ارزد

به کوی می فروشانش به جامی بر نمی‌گیرند
زهی سجادﮤ تقوﻯ که یک ساغر نمی‌ارزد

رقیبم سرزﻧﺸﻬا کرد کزاین باب رخ برتاب
چه افتاد این سر ما را که خاک در نمی‌ارزد

شکوه تاج سلطانی که بیم جان دران درج است
کلاهی دلکش است اما به ترک سر نمی‌ارزد

ﺒﺲ آسان می‌نمود اول غم دریا ببوی سود
غلط ﮔﻓﺘم که این طوفان بصد گوهر نمی‌ارزد

ترا آن به که روی خود ز مشتاقان بپوشانی
که شادی جهانگیری غم لشکر نمی‌ارزد

چو حافظ در قناعت کوش و از دﻧﻴﺎی دون بگذر
که یک جو منت دونان ﺒصد من زر نمی‌ارزد

Harmony of Evening

english translation
original French poem

english translation

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audio of Harmony of Evening

Jennifer Reeser reads the poem in translation, Harmony of Evening by Charles Baudelaire (translated from the French.)

Harmony of Evening

original French poem

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audio of "Harmonie du Soir"

Jennifer Reeser reads the original poem, Harmonie du Soir by Charles Baudelaire in French

Harmonie du Soir

Voici venir les temps où vibrant sur sa tige
Chaque fleur s'évapore ainsi qu'un encensoir;
Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir;
Valse mélancolique et langoureux vertige!

Chaque fleur s'évapore ainsi qu'un encensoir;
Le violon frémit comme un cœur qu'on afflige;
Valse mélancolique et langoureux vertige!
Le ciel est triste et beau comme un grand reposoir.

Le violon frémit comme un cœur qu'on afflige,
Un cœur tendre, qui hait le néant vaste et noir!
Le ciel est triste et beau comme un grand reposoir;
Le soleil s'est noyé dans son sang qui se fige.

Un cœur tendre, qui hait le néant vaste et noir,
Du passé lumineux recueille tout vestige!
Le soleil s'est noyé dans son sang qui se fige...
Ton souvenir en moi luit comme un ostensoir!