Hans Christian Andersen: ''Edderkoppen' (1831)

 

Edderkoppen.

 

Kan Du mindes Dig, skjøn Flue!? –

Der var Lys sat i Lampetter,

Engelskdands og Menuetter

Dandsed’ blev i denne Stue.

 

Smaae og Store, Tykke, Smalle,

Svang sig her saa vel tilfredse,

Ogsaa Du fløi om i Kredse,

Og var smukkest af dem Alle.

 

Under Bjelken sad jeg stille,

Følte Hjertet i mig brænde.

– Nu har Lystigheden Ende,

Ingen Violiner spille.

 

Dandsen er Din bedste Glæde!

Jeg en Dandsesal har vævet,

See, det er jo, som den svæved’!

Vil du Gulvet kun betræde.

 

Atter Lystighed og Gammen

Klinge skal i denne Stue.

Lette, ungdomsmuntre Flue,

Kom, saa vil vi dandse sammen!

 

 

The Spider

 

Fairest fly, do you remember!?

All the lamps, their gleam entrancing,

Minuets and English dancing –

How folk danced here in great splendour.

 

Great and small, both fat and slender

Swished and swayed here so contented,

You flew round and circumvented,

Loveliest, without contender.

 

’Neath the beam I sat unswaying,

Felt my heart ablaze and splendid.

– Now such merriment’s long-ended

Violins have ceased their playing.

 

Dancing is your greatest pleasure!

I’ve a ballroom woven for you,

Look, the floor seems quite unmoored too –

Just step out in sprightly measure!

 

Mirth and merriment in tether

Here once more shall be unbounded.

Set out, fly, in youth’s joy grounded,

Come, and let us dance together!

From Goslar, while travelling in Harzen (1831)