Translations of poems and plays

Dagny Juel Przybyszewska — Poems — original title 'Digte'. Likely written 1896-1897, but not published until 1975. This translation is based on the versions as printed in 'Samlede tekster' (1996). Ongoing - first 3 of 13 are now available, 2024-07-22.

Dagny Juel Przybyszewska — Twilight — original title 'I tusmørket'. First published in 1899 (Polish), then in Norway in 1900. This translation is based on the version as printed in 'Samlede tekster' (1996). These cryptic flowers are related to Gunhild's in Ravenfarm.

Dagny Juel Przybyszewska — Ravenfarm — original title 'Ravnegård'. It was first released by Stanisław Przybyszewski in 1902 (Polish), and performed in Kraków the same year. This translation is however based on the Norwegian version as printed in 'Samlede tekster' (1996). A tragedy in a sinister mansion where secret desires circle like bats around a lamppost.

Dagny Juel Przybyszewska — In questa tomba oscura… — First published in 1899 (Polish), then in Norway in 1900. This translation is based on the version as printed in 'Samlede tekster' (1996). The title is a reference to Carpani/Beethoven, and that version has the deceased saying 'You should have thought of me when I was alive, ungrateful one'. Was this her crime?

Dagny Juel Przybyszewska — As the sun sets — original title 'Når solen går ned'. It was first released by Stanisław Przybyszewski in the collection 'Kiedy słońce zahodzi…' in 1902. This translation is however based on the Norwegian version as printed in 'Samlede tekster' (1996). He's trying to gaslight her about the murder night, and she's having none of it: 'How the sea sang of her corpse!' She resorts to feigning a fever to stave him off.

Dagny Juel Przybyszewska — Sing mir das Lied vom Leben und vom Tode… It was first published in 1899 (Polish), then in Norway in 1900. This translation is based on the version as printed in 'Samlede tekster' (1996). The aftermath of a claustrophobic and ivy-infested relationship where he wanted her to fill his void.

Dagny Juel Przybyszewska — Et la tristesse de tout cela, oh, mon âme … — It was first published in 1899 (Polish), then in Norway in 1900. This translation is based on the version as printed in 'Samlede tekster' (1996). Feeling vs form; ever thus?

Jens Bjørneboe — Visit — original title 'Besøk', from his poetry collection 'Den store by' (1958).

Sigbjørn Obstfelder — Nameless — original title 'Navnløs', from his collection 'Digte' (1893).

Jakob Sande — The codger and the cat — original title 'Kallen og katten', from the poetry collection 'Guten og grenda' (1945). Rough translation intended to preserve meaning, but not rhythm nor rhyme. Offered to the Internet in the spirit of barn-raising.

Jakob Sande — The finding of a corpse — original title 'Likfunn', from the poetry collection 'Svarte næter' (1929). Rough translation intended to preserve meaning, but not rhythm nor rhyme. Offered to the Internet in the spirit of barn-raising.

Cat was buried in the ditch — a folk tale.

Contact info: