literature

Translation: 'Love?'

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Literature Text

Gyula Juhász:

Love?

I don't know what this is but it's so fine,
Daydreaming on words you told to mine,
Like cloud of dusk, the brightest that's ablaze,
When behind it stars come out to gaze.

I don't know what this is but it's so sweet,
A glance of you that look for mine to meet,
Like ray of sun that glitter in the room,
Though the gloom of evening comes so soon.

I don't know what this is but I can feel
My life is turning brighter now and here,
Your silk of words are caressing my heart
Like gentle breeze that lulls the graves in March.

I don't know what this is but it's so fine,
Its pain is sweet, if aching, I don't mind.
If it's madness, mistake, let it be.
If it's love, please forgive it to me.

1929


Original

Szerelem? (Hungarian)

Én nem tudom, mi ez, de jó nagyon,
Elrévedezni némely szavadon,
Mint alkonyég felhőjén, mely ragyog
És rajta túl derengő csillagok.

Én nem tudom, mi ez, de édes ez,
Egy pillantásod hogyha megkeres,
Mint napsugár ha villan a tetőn,
Holott borongón már az este jön.

Én nem tudom, mi ez, de érezem,
Hogy megszépült megint az életem,
Szavaid selyme szíven símogat,
Mint márciusi szél a sírokat!

Én nem tudom, mi ez, de jó nagyon,
Fájása édes, hadd fájjon, hagyom.
Ha balgaság, ha tévedés, legyen,
Ha szerelem, bocsásd ezt meg nekem!

I searched the internet for a decent English translation of this poem and cannot find. The versions I saw were all crappy that did not cover the rythm, the overtones, the delicate wording, etc. So I gave it a try. It may be imperfect as my English is far from good. I know well that 'March' is not a rhyme for 'heart' but couldn't find better yet. The rhythm is by and large covers the original and even the number of syllables are similar (that is a trick 'cos our language is usually longer, most of our words are of two or three syllables). I tried to follow the original wording, mainly by its mood. The sun is glittering in the room in my version, not on the roof, but the vision focuses on glittering of the last rays, etc.

If there are mistakes, glitches, weird wording, please let me know. (Okay, I know, there is a "mistake" in the third line of the fourth verse, but that is the actual text there!) Any suggestion is heartily welcomed. (No, not any. If you'd suggest I should write in Klingon or dance gavotte instead of meddling with languages and literature... well, that won't be welcomed. ;) )

Heartfully dedicated to My Beloved One. Especially the last line.
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fluffypallas's avatar
Bő kritikát nem tudok róla írni, annyira nem értek a verstanhoz sajnos. Pár helyen picit botlani érzem a ritmust (pl. a 'a glance of you that look for mine to meet' sorban), de egyébként rettentő hangulatos, jöhetnének még tőled fordítások. (Úgyse ismeri eléggé a jónép a magyar irodalmat :) )