Hans Christian Andersen: 'I den lille Kjøbstad er en Gade' (1839)

 

I den lille Kjøbstad er en Gade

I den lille Kjøbstad er en Gade,

Hvor ei Tiden har forandret stort.

See, det gamle Vertshuus sin Façade

Vender ud mod Kirkegaardens Port.

Her er jo et Herberg paa hver Side,

Der til Venstre kalder Hornets Klang,

Men til Højre lyder Psalme-Sang.

Gaden har et Herberg paa hver Side,

Hvor mon bedst man hviler, gad jeg vide.

Jeg maa ind til Venstre denne Gang.

 

Husets Bjælkeværk er rigt udskaaret,

Indskift mellem Løv og Snirkler staaer,

Indenfor er Tummel hele Aaret,

Der, som Fremmed kommer man og gaaer.

Men til Højre skinner deiligt Solen,

Gjæstekam’ret er en Blomsterplet,

I det Kammer bliver aldrig grædt;

Ovenover voxer Natviolen.

Men til Venstre maae jeg! Aftensolen

Gaaer nu ned. Jeg føler mig saa træt!

 

 

In the market town a street awaits me

 

In the market town a street awaits me

Where but little change has taken place.

Look, the old inn’s frontage quite sedately

T’ward the churchyard doorway turns its face.

On each side there is a hostelry,

From the left one, hunting horns are heard,

From the right one, hymns proclaim God’s word.

On both sides, then, there’s a hostelry.

I wonder where best rest is there for me.

I the left one this time have preferred.

 

Richly carved beams are a salient feature –

Leaves twined round inscriptions everywhere.

Inside, year-round clamour’s the procedure,

Passing strangers are the guests found there.

On the right, though, sunshine’s contribution,

With a guestroom that’s a flower bed,

In that room, no tears have e’er been shed;

Up above, sweet rocket in profusion.

But I chose the left one! Day’s conclusion

Now is near. I’m tired and long for bed.