Mind versus Beauty
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
translated from Germany by Eric v.d. Luft
Now Mister Mind, deserving all
Respect, as we his favor prize,
Hears rumors that some bold ones call
Miz Beauty better in their eyes,
Which galls his intellect somewhat.
Then Mister Breath, agelong assigned
To representing Mister Mind,
Begins, not trying to be kind,
To reprimand the little slut.
This bothers not the giddy pup,
To Mister Mind she runs right up:
“You think that you’re so smart and tough,
You think the world’s not big enough!
Despise me and I’ll walk away;
Be wise and love me and I’ll stay.
You can be sure, year after year,
We’ll be a lovely pair, my dear.”
German Original
Geist und Schönheit im Streit
Herr Geist, der allen Respekt verdient,
Und dessen Gunst wir höchlich schätzen,
Vernimmt, man habe sich erkühnt,
Die Schönheit über ihn zu setzen;
Er macht daraus ein grosses Wesen.
Da kommt Herr Hauch, uns längst bekannt
Als würdiger Geistsrepräsentant,
Fängt an, doch leider nicht galant,
Dem Luderchen den Text zu lesen.
Das rührt den Leichtsinn nicht einmal,
Sie läuft gleich zu dem Prinzipal:
Ihr seid ja sonst gewandt und klug,
Ist denn die Welt nicht gross genug!
Ich lass Euch, wenn Ihr trutzt, im Stich;
Doch seid Ihr weise, so liebt Ihr mich.
Seid versichert, im ganzen Jahr
Gibts nicht wieder so ein hübsches Paar.
Eric v.d. Luft, Ph.D., was Curator of Historical Collections at SUNY Upstate Medical University from 1987 to 2006 and has taught at Villanova University, Syracuse University, Upstate, and the College of Saint Rose. He is the author, editor, or translator of over 700 publications in philosophy, religion, librarianship, history, history of medicine, politics, humor, popular culture, and nineteenth-century studies.
“Mind versus Beauty” is a good translation of “Geist und Schönheit im Streit,” which I translate as “Spirit (or Mind) and Beauty in Conflict.” I rather prefer the first line beginning with “Lord Spirit….” That obviates the need for “Now,” I did not see “jetzt” in the verse which is “now” in English. I know “Herr” can translate as “Mister, Lord, or Sir” and personally would prefer one of the two higher appellations in English. I also do not like adding “Miz” to Beauty. The original German does not lend itself to that and just “Beauty” fits perfectly. Do not mind me. These are just my initial translation thoughts. Believe me, I understand the problems of translating a poem from another language into English. There is a depth to Goethe’s poem with the conflict set up initially between the mind or spirit and beauty, itself. Thank you for sharing it with us.