The Young Man

Young man
The young man

Suhl deviates from the painting, so the Death to left of the young man has his arm behind the young man's arm. Compare with Milde's version.

Ludewig SuhlTranslation

    der Tod
Ihr Nymphen, die ihr hie den frischen Iüngling schaut
Wünscht ihr vielleicht durch ihn zu heissen Iungfer Braut?
Umsonst; die Rechnung wird euch mit einander triegen,
Ich werd ihn in der That, ihr in Gedanken kriegen.

    Death
You nymphs, who see the fresh youth here,
Do you perhaps wish to be called virgin bride through him?
In vain; the calculation will deceive you,
I will take him in deed, and you in my thoughts.

 

    der Iüngling
So soll ich an den Tanz, wer hatte das gedacht;
Ich, der ich manches Schloß, doch in der Luft gemacht,
Nun wird mein Hoffnungsbau fein zeitig eingerissen,
Ich wollte bald die Braut und muß die Mutter küssen.

    The Young Man
So I am supposed to dance, who would have thought of that?
I, who have built many a castle, although in the air,
Now my hopes are being torn down too early,
I wanted the bride soon, and must kiss the mother.

Suhl is very alone in writing, »fein zeitig«. Everybody else writes, »frühzeitig«.

The remark about kissing the mother, »muß die Mutter küssen« must be a reference to Mother Earth. This is also the way the verse was written on the dance in Erfurt according to Schröer: »und muss die Erde küssen«. Thomas Nugent interprets it in the same manner: »mingle quick with parent clay«.

Thomas Nugent

    XLIV. Death to the Young Man.
Ye maids, that lov'd this sprightly youth,
Are disappointed, that's the truth;
Your wishes, fair, were all in vain;
He's mine, and I'll my right maintain.

    XLV. The Young Man's answer.
Pray, Mr. Death, I'm young and gay,
The time of life for sport and play;
Indeed, I think you're full too soon,
To stop me in my course at noon;
My pleasing hopes and lofty schemes
Must all dissolve in idle dreams;
No bride to clasp within my arms,
And softly soothe me with her charms.
Grim Death commands, I must obey,
And mingle quick with parent clay.