Hans Christian Andersen: 'See, Hørren staaer saa slank og fri'

 

See, Hørren staaer saa slank og fri

 

See, Hørren staaer saa slank og fri,

Hvor blomstrer hele Flokken!

Hver Klokke der har Melodi,

Men uden Knevl er Klokken;

Du hører ei dens »ding, ding, dang!«

Nei, ikke nu – men først engang,

Naar Hørren ret har lidt og stridt,

Og ligger som Papiret hvidt; –

En Tonemester paa det slaaer,

En Fjer er Troldomsstaven,

Hvad Blomsten følte, synligt staaer,

I Klang det fra Papiret gaaer,

Liv svinger sig fra Graven.

 

 

See, how the flax stands slim and free

 

See, how the flax stands slim and free,

Its bell-shaped flower host swishing,

Each bell there has its melody,

The clanger though is missing;

You do not hear its ‘ding, ding, dong!’

No, silent must remain its song

Until the flax has fought its fight,

And as blank paper lies there white; –

A tonal wizard weaves his spell,

A feather touch his playing,

Each sensed tone held within its shell

As paper is a sounding bell

That from its grave comes swaying.