Death and the Maiden

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN

by Brett Rutherford

after the German of Matthias Claudius

The Maiden:

Pass me by, oh, pass me by!

Go, savage skeleton!

I am still young. Go, seducer,

and don't reach out for me!

Death:

Give me your hand,

you delicate child.

My hand is friendly,

not punishing.

I am not savage. Be brave!

These bony arms shall guard

your tender sleep.

Image: Hans Baldung Grien. 1518-20 Death and the Maiden. Oil on panel Öffentliche Kunstsammlung, Basel Public domain.

SUBJECTS: Matthias Claudius, translations, Dance of Death, Grien