Prayer for Charasos

Trinity Journal of Literary Translation | 23

Prayer for Charasos

trans. Claudio Sansone

Though you keep repeating ‘Charasos has arrived with a full ship’, I think that it is for Zeus (and the other Gods) to know. Whereas you, are not obliged to worry.

But instead, move me—compel me to prayers... and that I should make many, too, to sovereign Hera: that Charasos make his way here to this land, piloting his ship.

As for our part, that he may find us safe and sound. Otherwise let all rest in the hands of fortune. For clear skies from black storms come about suddenly.

To those upon whom the King of Olympus wishes luck, that he lifts out of misery and is quick to protect, these become blessed and plurally rich.

κ̣ἄμμεϲ, αἴ κε τὰν κεφάλα̣ν  έργη Λάρι̣χοϲ καὶ δήποτ’ ἄνηρ γένηται, καὶ μάλ’ ἐκ πόλλ⟦η⟧`αν΄ βαρυθύ̣μιάν̣ κεν αἶψα λύθειμεν.

πώ {ϲ̣} κε δή τιϲ οὐ θαμέω̣ϲ̣ ἄϲαιτ̣ο, Κύπρι δέϲ̣π̣ο̣ι̣ν̣’̣, ὄτ̣τ̣ι̣ν̣[α δ]ὴ̣ φι̣λ̣[είη καὶ] θέλοι μάλιϲτα π̣ά̣λ̣ι̣ν̣ κάλ̣[εϲϲαι; πόθ]ον ἔχηϲθα

παρ]κ̣άλοιϲα̣ μ’  λεμά̣τ̣ω̣ϲ̣ δ̣αΐ̣ϲ̣δ̣[ην ἰμέ]ρω λύ{ι̣}ϲαντι γόν̣ω̣ μ⏑̣ ε ̣‒̣ [ ×

As for us, if Larichos would only hold up his head and become a true man... then indeed, from innumerable sadnesses, we would suddenly be released.

How am I, then, to sleep through the night uninterruptedly, mistress Venus, for I love him and wish—at all costs—to call him back? I yearn he may return...

Having laid myself down in vain some time I long for the release of that youth...

Featured Translator: James Reidel

Despite his short life, addiction to drugs and incest, and enervating depressions, the Austrian Expressionist poet Georg Trakl (b. 1887) produced poems that are as important, beautiful, and fascinating for their range of meanings as any produced by other early moderns during the early twentieth century. The new English renderings published here mark the hundredth anniversary of Trakl’s death in November 1914, when he died of an overdose in a Cracow military hospital.

James Reidel recently published a new book of poems, Jim’s Book (Black Lawrence Press, 2014). In addition to Georg Trakl, he has also translated and published works by Robert Walser, Franz Werfel, and Thomas Bernhard.

Online: Der Heilige

Wenn in der Hölle selbstgeschaffener Leiden Grausam-unzüchtige Bilder ihn bedrängen— Kein Herz ward je von lasser Geilheit so Berückt wie seins, und so von Gott gequält Kein Herz—Hebt er die abgezehrten Hände, Die unerlösten, betend auf zum Himmel. Doch formt nur qualvoll-ungestillte Lust Sein brünstig-fieberndes Gebet, des Glut Hinströmt durch mystische Unendlichkeiten. Und nicht so trunken tönt das Evoe Des Dionys, als wenn in tödlicher, Wutgeifernder Ekstase Erfüllung sich Erzwingt sein Qualschrei: Exaudi me, o Maria!