Translations from the Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke

by Rainer Maria Rilke, M.D. Herter Norton

Born in 1875, the German lyric poet Rainer Maria Rilke published his first collection of poems in 1898 and went on to become renowned for his delicate depiction of the workings of the human heart. These translations by M.D. Herter Norton offer Rilke's work to the English-speaking world in an accurate, sensitive, modern version.

Genres: Poetry, German Literature

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

A mystic lyricism and precise imagery often marked verse of German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, whose collections profoundly influenced 20th-century German literature and include The Book of Hours (1905) and The Duino Elegies (1923).

People consider him of the greatest 20th century users of the language.

His haunting images tend to focus on the difficulty of communion with the ineffable in an age of disbelief, solitude, and profound anxiety — themes that tend to position him as a transitional figure between the traditional and the modernist poets.

His two most famous sequences include the Sonnets to Orpheus , and his most famous prose works include the Letters to a Young Poet and the semi-autobiographical The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge .

He also wrote more than four hundred poems in French, dedicated to the canton of Valais in Switzerland, his homeland of choice.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

If i ever learn german it will be for one reason: rilke.

that said, the ever complex entanglement of translational issues leads me to believe that M.D. Herter Norton's translations are somehow more appropriate than most others.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time poetry actually resonated with me.

[suns · Rating 5 out of 5]

…Upon what instrument are we two spanned?
And what player has us in his hand?
O sweet song.

[Doug Snyder]

do you know, I would quietly
slip from the loud circle,
when first i know the pale
stars above the oaks
are blooming.

ways will i elect
that seldom any tread
in pale evening meadows--
and no dream but this:
you come too.

[bob walenski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still have my Norton publication of these poems from my college years, including my marginal notes from then. These simple poems resonated more to me then, as an English major deeply involved in his study of literature. Upon a fresher reading, i thought them to be quite learned....... formal ..... passionate, but also a bit obscure.
This group was a collection of shorter pieces, taken from Rilke's earlier days for the most part. Nothing is complete, but the brief poems are like tiny, quick picture flashes. Since Rilke was deeply influenced by the Bible and art history the subject matter was mostly classical. Rilke's poems stand well as esoteric, formal verse.....not so well as images we see in contemporary poetry.
Rilke was one of the favorites of one of my more influential college English Professors. It's where I first heard his words read aloud and read them myself. This particular collection was not from his best works, but perhaps from some of his 'easiest' works. I wouldn't recommend this to most readers, unless you have a persuasion to classic poetry.
Rilke's most famous works include: "Letters to a Young Poet", "Sonnets to Orpheus", the "Stories of God" and his "Duino Elegies". His work is highly respected in literary poetic circles, but for the most part not appreciated by larger segments of society.
My personal Favorite from this book follows:

Grave Hour

Who now weeps anywhere in the world,
without cause weeps in the world,
weeps for me.

Who now laughs anywhere in the night,
without cause laughs in the night,
laughs at me.

Who now moves anywhere in the world,
without cause moves in the world,
moves towards me.

Who now dies anywhere in the world,
without cause dies in the world,
looks at me.

from "Book of Pictures"
1902-1906

[madamescarlette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read somewhere once that poets tend to have one chief reoccurring image that tends to follow them through all their work, shepherding it and guiding it even when they themselves cannot even notice it. If Mary Oliver's is joy, then Rilke's must be light itself. And perhaps the sweetest joy of reading his earlier works is seeing exactly how that light peeks out from every corner, even through whatever misery and heartache he was considering.

[Sil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rilke's poetry is beautiful both in the original German and in translation; though I'm not a German speaker, it was nice having both texts to compare. (I like the mouthfeel of German.) While the translation is a bit heavy-handed, especially in the overtly religious poetry, it was not thereby difficult to read and I appreciated the clarity. Would recommend as an introductory work for Rilke, or for poetry in general.

[Jordan Cymrot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t as overly impressed with this as other works by Rilke I have read and loved. There were a few 5 stars but overall a three star read.

[Birsilah Bakar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't wrap my head around the poems :(
The only thing I liked about them was the length.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best ones in here were the "Song of _______" ones. They were all great, though.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with many of the books of poetry I've read, some of these are magical, some simply human reflections. At his best, Rilke's words evoke timeless humanity and eternal truths.

[Franceseattle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norton's translations are very literal and sometimes the meaning suffers, ie the English constructions are much more awkward than the same text in German. However, they are most helpful for those who know some German and would like to read the German on the other page. If you want to read only in English, other translations might be more helpful.

[Henny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rilke is just amazing, and this translation is wonderful. I think Rilke was one of the reasons why I *tried* to learn Deutsche. The fact that I failed even the beginner's course is not Rilke's fault though.

A wonderful gem to have on any bookshelf, I reckon.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know....he is really good.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I loved it, although I had a hard time wrapping my head around some of the poems. I think I'll find another translation and compare.

[Yuthika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Rainer Maria Rilke!! I wish I could understand the language, because so many things and emotions get lost in translation. Nevertheless, a beautiful collection.

[Meg]

still returning to it to be re-read over and over again