h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...are quite difficult.

Does anyone know the poem "der Panther" (the panther) by Rainer Maria Rilke? And, what's more important, does anyone know a good translation?

I have found two translations of that poem, but found them both inadequate. And I am not sure I can do it any better.

Thanks for help

From passing bars his look has gone so tired
It can keep nothing, it's as if expired.
He feels as if there were a thousand bars
And nowt behind: no sun, moon, earth or stars.


That's as far as I've got for the moment. I think you could exchange look with view and/or keep with hold, if you think that works better.

Do you need the whole poem translated? It's a very difiicult one.

this translation is better than the ones I have read so far (but the last line is not quite what he says in German)

I know it is a difficult one (but as it happens to be - it is my favourite poem)

There's a movie called "Awakenings". The poem is a really important part of the movie and if I recall it right the version was guite good. Maybe that's something for you.

I'm gonna look if my neighbour has got this movie, otherwise you can look yourself...

Hope this helps..

Charcoal

Thank you for the advice, I will try to get hold of that movie

It's a good movie anyway...

What about this version:

The Panther


His gaze, going past those bars, has got so misted
with tiredness, it can take in nothing more.
He feels as though a thousand bars existed,
and no more world beyond them than before.

Those supply powerful paddings, turning there
in tiniest of circles, well might be
the dance of forces round a center where
some mighty will stands paralyticly.

Just now and then the pupils' noiseless shutter
is lifted. - Then an image will indart,
down through the limbs' intensive stillness flutter,
and end its being in the heart.

oh, that is nearly perfect
At one or two points I might feel it is different from how I'd see it, but then that might be my not so perfect English

thank you very much Charcoal

U're welcome