Hans Christian Andersen: 'Lille Lise ved Brønden' (1830)

 

Lille Lise ved Brønden (1830)

 

”Unschuld, nur wenn du dich nicht kennest, wie die kindliche,

dann bist du eine; aber dein Bewustseyn ist dein Tod.”

               Jean Poul

 

Tæt ved Huset Brønden staaer,

Lille Lise til den gaaer,

Stirrer tankefuld derned,

Thi hun af sin Moder veed,

At man her fra Brøndens Vand

Trækker Børnene i Land;

Ja, hun selv, som her nu staaer,

Kom derfra for fire Aar,

Og en Broder tog’ de nys,

Ham, som faaer saa mange Kys.

 

Stivt hun ned i Brønden seer;

”Mon der nu er ingen fleer?

Eller sidde hver og een,

Skjult bag Brøndens Kampesteen?

Rigtignok har Søster sagt,

At os Børn har Storken bragt,

At han har bag Redens Tjørn,

Piger og smaae Drenge-Børn;

Men hvor skiller han de Smaae,

Naar de ei har Klæder paa?

 

Nei, de boe i Brønden her!

Jeg har selv jo været der;

O, nu kan jeg ogsaa see,

Een igjennem Vandet lee!

Hun som lille Lise staaer,

Og har ogsaa gule Haar.

Kunde jeg dog bare faae,

Kun den mindste af de Smaae!

De er’ meget bedre der,

End min dumme Dukke her!”

 

 

Little Lizzy by the well (1830)

 

‘Unschuld, nur wenn du dich nicht kennest, wie die kindliche,

dann bist du eine; aber dein Bewustseyn ist dein Tod.’

               Jean Poul

 

Near the house the deep well lies,

From close to it Lizzy spies

Down into it thoughtfully,

For her mother’s said that we

All our children from below

Haul up to the world we know;

Yes, that she came from there too

Four years earlier when new,

And a brother recently

Who gets kissed so frequently.

 

She peers down with her best stare;

Aren’t there any others there?

Or is every single one

Hidden by the well’s huge stone?

Could my sister then be wrong,

That the stork’s brought us along,

That behind its thorny nest

Baby girls and boys all rest;

How can it tell which from which,

When they’re wearing not a stitch?

 

No, down here is where they dwell!

I too once was down the well;

Oh, just look, now I can see

One that’s laughing back at me!

Standing just like Lizzy there,

And she also has blond hair.

If I just could have one too,

Just the tiniest would do!

They are so much better there

Than my stupid doll, I swear!’