Georg Trakl
The Beautiful City
Ancient squares in sunlit silence.
Deep engrossed in blue and gold
Dreamlike gentle nuns are hastening
Under sultry beeches’ silence.Out of brown illumined churches
Gaze pure images of death,
Lovely scutcheons of great princes.
Crowns are shimmering in the churches.
Horses rise out of the fountain.
Claws of blossom in trees threaten.
Boys confused in dreams are playing
Still at evening by the fountain.Young girls standing in the gateways,
Shyly look upon life’s gayness.
Their moist lips are ever trembling
And they wait beside the gateways.Fluttering sounds of bells are pealing,
Marching time and cries of watches.
Strangers listen on the stairways.
High in blueness organs pealing.Bright-toned instruments are singing.
Through the leafy frame of gardens
Purls the laughter of fine women.
Quietly young mothers singing.Secret breath by flowering windows,
Smell of incense, tar and lilac.
Silvery tired eyelids flicker
Through the flowers by the windows.
Translated by Alexander Stillmark
Page(s) 45-46
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