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Stefan George: Thou (From German)

Thou
By Stefan George
Translated by A.Z. Foreman
Click here to hear me recite the German

Thou flaming column pure and slender
Thou light and tender as the dawn 
Thou flowering shoot from seed of grandeur
Thou wellspring simple and withdrawn

Companion on my sunlit meadows
All round me in the evening haze
Light on my path through coming shadows
Thou cooling breeze Thou breath ablaze

Thou art my wish and all I think
I breathe of Thee in all my air
I savor Thee in every drink
I kiss Thy fragrance everywhere

Thou flowering shoot from seed of grandeur
Thou wellspring simple and withdrawn
Thou flaming column pure and slender
Thou light and tender as the dawn


The Original:

Du schlank und rein wie eine flamme
Du wie der morgen zart und licht
Du bl�hend reis vom edlen stamme
Du wie ein quell geheim und schlicht

Begleitest mich auf sonnigen matten
Umschauerst mich im abendrauch
Erleuchtest meinen weg im schatten
Du k�hler wind du heisser hauch

Du bist mein wunsch und mein gedanke
Ich atme dich mit jeder luft
Ich schl�rfe dich mit jedem tranke
Ich k�sse dich mit jedem duft

Du bl�hend reis vom edlen stamme
Du wie ein quell geheim und schlicht
Du schlank und rein wie eine flamme
Du wie der morgen zart und licht
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