Wednesday, 24 April 2024

Hans Christian Andersen: 'Snegle-spyt' (1867)


 

SNEGLE-SPYT

 

Den vaade, sorte Snegl ved Rosen sad

og ærgred sig; ham Godtfolks Tale stødte:

De kalde Rosen smuk, fy, jeg maa spytte!

Nu har jeg sat mit Mærke paa dens Blad.

 

 

SNAIL SPIT

 

Beside the rose the snail sat, wet and dark

and highly vexed; folk’s praise offended it:

They call the rose most fair – that makes me spit!

On its green leaf I now have left my mark.

 

 

A masterpiece of compression! This has reduced the fairy tale 'The Snail and the Rosebush' to four lines.

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