Die Sternseherin Lise (The Stargazer Lise)

Ich sehe oft um Mitternacht,

Wenn ich mein Werk getan

Und niemand mehr im Hause wacht,

Die Stern' am Himmel an.

Sie gehn da, hin und her zerstreut

Als Lämmer auf der Flur;

In Rudeln auch, und aufgereiht

Wie Perlen an der Schnur;

Und funkeln alle weit und breit

Und funkeln rein und schön;

Ich seh die große Herrlichkeit,

Und kann mich satt nicht sehn.

Dann saget, unterm Himmelszelt,

Mein Herz mir in der Brust:

»Es gibt was Bessers in der Welt 

Als all ihr Schmerz und Lust.«

Ich werf mich auf mein Lager hin,

Und liege lange wach,

Und suche es in meinem Sinn,

Und sehne mich darnach.

My Translation:

The Stargazer Lise

I often gaze at midnight,

When my work is done

And no one is still awake in the house,

At the stars in heaven.

They wander there, scattered to and fro 

Like lambs on the meadow;

In clusters too and strung together

Like pearls on a cord;

And all around they sparkle bright

So pure and beautiful;

I gaze upon the glorious show

And I still must stand and stare.

Then, under heaven’s starry dome,

My heart says deep within:

“There’s something better in this world

Than all its joy and sin.”

I throw myself upon my bed,

And lie wide awake;

I turn it over in my head,

And I yearn to find that will.

Commentary:

Matthias Claudius’s “Die Sternseherin Lise” is a simple yet profound poem that contemplates the existence of a greater good, and that there is more to life than we see. When I was translating this poem, it was essential to preserve its reflective nature, through emphasising Lise’s admiration for the night sky and, as a result, her thoughts. 

In consideration of these qualities I chose to vary my translation from its literal meaning. For example, when translating “sehen”, instead of its literally “to see” I opted for “gaze”. “Gaze” as a verb encapsulates Lise’s admiration for the stars. It also suggests that she is watching with intent, highlighting her deeply contemplative nature.  

A particularly tricky phrase to translate was “Und kann mich satt nicht sehn”. Its literal translation “I cannot see myself full” carries a weight that is difficult to reflect in English. Instead I chose to translate it as “And I still must stand and stare”. This translation takes into consideration Lise’s great admiration of the stars and night sky. 

The final two lines required particular care when translating. I opted to translate them as “I turn it over in my head and I yearn to find that will”. This illustrates Lise’s contemplative nature whilst highlighting her hope that there is something which must exist beyond our world.