Hans Christian Andersen: 'Novellette - in sex smaastykker' (1874)

 

NOVELLETTE

i sex smaastykker

 

I.

Det er en Høitidsfest, en Glædes Dag,

Den gamle Skolemesters Fødselsdag;

Med Krandse, Blomster og med grønne Grene

Smukt Dengene udpynte Skolestuen,

Det er en Glæde, rigtig som en Leeg.

 

II.

See, nu eer Alt istand, og de veed godt,

At de i dag faae tidligt Lov fra Skolen;

De springe høit påå Bænke og paa Borde –

Nu kommer Skolemester – der skal synges.

 

III.

Den sang jo klinger som en Menuet!

Det er en Menuet! – Tidt Skolemester

Selv spiller denne paa sin Violin,

Til Taarene ham kommer i hans Øine.

Hvad tænker han ved denne Melodi?

Nu græder han! – Det er nok gamle Minder.

 

IV.

Ja, gamle Minder! – derfor gik han bort;

De Smaa, ja, de har ikke gamle Minder!

De springe, juble og slaae Kolbytter,

Til Skolemester kommer. Endt er Legen.

 

V.

”I Dag er Fridag!!” siger han, ”men Børn,

Før I gaae bort, vi synge Morgensangen

Og takke Gud for Glæden og for Sorgen.

Thi ogsaa Sort er goddt for Mennesket!”

I Skolestuen lyder Morgensangen.

 

VI.

De storme bort! det er et Veir derude,

Saa raat, saa vaadt! men de gaae midt igjennem

Det Dybeste, de har jo store Støvler!

Der vanker Puf og Stød; det er Plaiseer!

Nu skinner Solen! nei, en Straale kun!

Smukt lyste den. Mon den vel naaede ind

Til ham, som eensom staaer i Skolestuen,

Med gamle Minder - mellem friske Krandse.

 

NOVELLETTE

i six small stanzas

 

I

It is a festive day, a day of joy,

The birthday of the old revered schoolmaster;

With wreaths and flowers and also fresh green branches

The schoolboys make the classroom beautiful,

It is a happy task, just like a game.

 

II

Look, everything’s in place, and they know well

That they today get let off school quite early;

They leap around on benches and on tables –

Here’s the schoolmaster – now it’s time for singing.

 

III

The song they sing sounds like a minuet!

It is a minuet! The old schoolmaster

Plays it quite often on his violin,

Until his eyes begin to fill with tears.

This melody – what thoughts does it arouse?

He’s weeping now! Old memories for sure.

 

IV

Oh yes, old memories! That was why he left;

The young ones cannot have old memories!

They jump, rejoice and perform somersaults,

Till he returns. And their game ends right there.

 

V

Today’s a day off!’ he informs them, ‘But, you boys,

Before you leave we’ll sing the morning hymn

And thank the Lord for joy and also sorrow.

For sorrow also benefits us all!’

And in the classroom sounds the morning hymn.

 

VI

Then off they rush! Outside what dismal weather,

So chill and wet! But they plough through just where

It’s deepest , for they have large boots on!

There’s lots of pushing, shoving – Oh, what fun!

And now the sun’s out! no, a single ray!

A lovely glint. Perhaps it even reached right in

To him, now standing in the classroom all alone,

With his old memories – midst fresh-picked garlands.