Hans Christian Andersen: Danish version of Fiorentini's poem on the death of Princess Gwendoline Borghese Talbot (1817-1840)

 

Sonnet ved Fyrstinde Borgheses

og hendes tre Børns Død

 

(Efter Fiorentini)

 

En Paradisets Blomst af Troen bragt

Til Temsens Bred og plantet der i Solen

Skjød herligt frem. Dens Duft, dens Yndes Magt

Dens Glands, sligt findes ei hos Vaarviolen!

 

Men Kjærligheden planted’ Blomsten om

Den Blomst, som gjorte alle Hjerter glade,

Den plantedes ved Tiberen i Rom,

En himmelsk Duft gik fra dens rene Blade.

 

Og Duften steeg –; vi hørte Engle sige:

„Den Blomst er ei for noget jordisk Sted,

I Lysets Have blomstrer kun dens Lige!”

 

En Engel saae vi da til Jorden stige,

Og rive Blomsten op: tre Skud gik med,

Tre unge Skud – de groe nu i Guds Rige.

 

A Danish version of Fiorentini’s ‘La Morte della Principessa Guendalina Borghese Talbot’.

Printed for the first time and with the above title ’Rome, 1st January 1841’,

 

 

Sonnet on the death of Princess Gwendoline Borghese

and of her three sons

 

(Based on the poem by Fiorentini)

 

Down to Thames banks by faith conveyed, a Flower

Of Paradise there in the sun then planted

Did greatly thrive. Sweet scent, exquisite power

And sheen unmatched by violets it was granted!

 

But Love found this fair flower another home,

All hearts delighting and with joy enthusing,

In soil down by the Tiber’s banks in Rome,

From its pure petals scent divine diffusing.

 

Its fragrance rose –; and we heard angels say:

‘This flower on earth should never have to grow,

But in Life’s Garden does its like hold sway!’

 

An angel we then saw to earth descend

And pull the plant up, with three shoots in tow,

Three shoots so young – who now God’s angels tend.

 

Here is the original poem:

 

La Morte della Principessa Guendalina

Borghese Talbot

 

(seguita da quella di tre suoi Figli.)

 

Presso al Tamigi un Fior di Paradiso

La Fè piantò con somma cura un giorno;

Bello ci crebbe in quel suol più d’un narciso:

Tanto era in suo candor di grazie adorno!

 

Quindi la Carità, fiammante in viso

Del Tebro il trapiantò nel bel soggiorno,

E qui destava in tutti amore e riso

Per la fragranza che spandea d’intorno.

 

Ma il grato olezzo anche su in cielo ascese,

Onde averlo fra loro ebber desio

L’Alme ch’ivi si stanno al gaudio intese.

 

Allora a un divin cenno Angiol partio

Che svelto il Fior con tre germogli, il rese

All’amor de’ beati, e in grembo a Dio.

 

 

Sonnet on the Death of Princess Gwendoline

Borghese Talbot

 

(followed by that of her three sons)

 

Close to the Thames a flower of Paradise

One day by faith was planted with great care;

There finer than narcissi it did rise:

And, with great grace adorned, was passing fair.

 

From where with flaming face Love it did bring

To Tiber’s banks where it did settle in

And all inspire with love and urge to sing,

Caused by the scent it spread from deep within.

 

Its scent ascended though to Heaven’s light,

And caused those there to wish all this to share,

Souls staring with great joy at such a sight.

 

An angel when thus bidden earthwards chased

To snatch the flower with three young shoots from there

To souls in bliss and to God’s warm embrace.

 

 (My own version of the original)