Adalbert von Chamisso: “The Widow’s Prayer”

Excerpt, “The Spirit of German Poetry: A Series of translations from the German Poets, with Critical and Biographical Notices.”  Translated by Joseph Gostick. London: William Smith, 113 Fleet Street. 1845.

THE WIDOW’S PRAYER

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An old widow watches and prays alone,

In the deep dark night, by her lamp’s pale light,

” O Lord, who the prayer of the widow dost hear,

May his lordship be spared to rule over us here!

Thus sorrow has taught me to pray.”

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The lord of the soil stands listening there,

But cannot interpret the widow’s prayer;

To enter the cottage he bows his head,

And begs the old dame to explain what she said

” How has misery taught you to pray ?”

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” My lord, I had eight fine cows : one day,

The great lord, your grandfather, took one away;

The best of my cattle he carried from me,

Nor cared for my age and my poverty—

Oh, sorrow has taught me to pray !

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” I cursed him, my lord (’twas wicked and vain),

As I afterward found to my sorrow and pain;

For he died, and your father ruled over the land,

Who took two of my cows with a violent hand—

Oh sorrow has taught me to pray !

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” I cursed him, (I own to your lordship’s face),

And he soon broke his neck in pursuing the chase;

Then your lordship was heir to the property,

And four of my cows you have stolen from me,

And sorrow has taught me to pray.

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” If your son comes to rule in his father’s hall,

He will take the last cow that I have in the stall;

So I pray to the Lord, with fervour sincere,

May your lordship be spared to rule over us here !

Thus sorrow has taught me to pray !”