by William Robert Spencer (1770 - 1834)
Translation Singable translation by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870)
Wife, Children and Friends
Language: English
Available translation(s): FRE
When the black-lettr'd list to the gods was presented, The list of what Fate to each mortal intends, At the long string of ills a kind Goddess relented And slipt in three blessing: wife, children and friends. In vain surly Pluto maintain'd he was cheated; For justice divine could not compass its ends: The scheme of man's penance he swore was defeated For earth becomes heaven with wife, children and friends. Though spice-breathing gales o'er his caravan hover, Though round him Arabia's whole fragrance ascends, The merchant still thinks of the woodbines that cover The bow where he sat with wife, children and friends. The day-spring of youth, still unclouded by sorrow, Alone on itself for enjoyment depends: But drear is the twilight of age, if it borrow No warmth from the smiles of wife, children and friends. When the soldier whose deeds live immortal in story, Whom duty to far distant latitudes sends, With transport would barter whole ages of glory, For one happy day with wife, children and friends. Though vallour still glows in his life's waning embers, The death wounded tar who his colours defends, Drops a tear of regret, as he, dying remembers, How blest was his home with wife, children and friends. Let the breath of renown ever freshen and nourish The laurel which o'er her dead favourite bends; O'er me wave the willow, and long may it flourish, Bedew'd with the tears of wife, children and friends. Let us drink, for my song, growing graver and graver, To subjects too solemn insensibly tends; Let us drink, pledge me high, Love and Virtue shall flavour The glass which I fill to wife, children and friends.
Authorship:
- by William Robert Spencer (1770 - 1834), "Wife, Children and Friends" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), "Wife, Children and Friends", WoO. 152 (25 irische Lieder) no. 19, G. 223 no. 19 (1810/3) [ vocal duet with violin, violoncello, piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Femme, enfants et amis", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Georg Pertz) , "Freund, Gattin und Kind"
Research team for this page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor] , Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2004-12-11
Line count: 32
Word count: 280
Freund, Gattin und Kind
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English
Als die Götter das schwarze Verhängnis befohlen Des Schicksals, dem Sterbliche untertan sind, Scob ein gütiger Gott jenen Übeln verstohlen Drei Segnungen unter: Freeund, Gattin und Kind. Vergebens schwur Pluto, er wäre betrogen, Weil göttliche Macht ihre Grenze jetzt find', Entfernt sei die Schranke, den Menschen gezogen, Denn Erde zum Himmel macht Freund, Weib und Kind. Auf hohem Kamele die Wüste durchschwankend, Wie süß ihn Arabiens Gewürzhauch umrinnt, Denkt doch der Kaufmann des Efeus, umrankend Das Haus, wo er saß mit Freund, Gattin und Kind. Der Lenz unsres Lebens, verschont noch von Sorgen, Entzückt durch sich selbst, da er froh sich verspinnt, Doch Zwielicht des Alters ist trüb', wenn ihm borgen Kein tröstendes Lächeln Freund, Gattin und Kind. Als die Held, dessenn Ruhm nur verblüht mit der Sonne, Der Länder und Kronen im Sturme gewinnt, Er tauschte des Ruhm's ein Jahr tausend voll Wonne Um ein Stündchen voll Glück mit freund, Gattin und Kind. Der Seemann, umschäumt von des Abgrunds verderben, Die blutige Flagge noch schwingend im Wind Vergiesst eine Zäre, erinnernd im Sterben Die fröliche Heimath, Freund, Gattin und Kind. Der Odem des Ruhms mag erheischen und nähren Die Lorbeern, die blutend sein Liebling gewinnt; Mich decke die Weide, und lang mag sie währen, Mit Tränen benetzt von Freund, Gattin und Kind, Doch trinkt, eh' mein Lied sich zu ernsteren Tönen, Zu Dingen versteigt, die zu heilig ihm sind; Trinkt, schwört, es soll Liebe und Tugend verschönen Den Becher, gefüllt auf Freund, Gattin und Kind.
Authorship:
- Singable translation by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870), "Freund, Gattin und Kind" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in English by William Robert Spencer (1770 - 1834), "Wife, Children and Friends"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2004-12-11
Line count: 32
Word count: 246