Works
English translation of the prose and a few specimens of the verse of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff
Closer study of literature in a language other than one's mother-tongue, or most familiar language, may sometimes be made more enjoyable by initial help offered by a translation. This could apply more especially in the case of texts written in an earlier period, in which some words or phrases may seem archaic or obscure.
The following translations have been contributed to this website by Sydney G. Swan. We owe him sincere thanks and our deep gratitude.
Prose
- The Jews' Beech. A Portrait of Morals in Hilly Westphalia
(Die Judenbuche) - Westphalian Sketches from a Westphalian Pen
(Westfälische Schilderungen aus einer westfälischen Feder) - Ledwina
- Rural Life in our Country
(Bei uns zu Lande auf dem Lande) - Joseph. A Crime Story
(Joseph. Eine Kriminalgeschichte)
Poetry
- The Old Parish Priest's Week
(Des alten Pfarrers Woche) - The Battle of Lohn Moor 1623 (Opening part)
(Die Schlacht im Loener Bruch. 1623) - Sincerely
(Herzlich) - On the Tower
(Am Turme) - A Sleepless Night
(Durchwachte Nacht) - Lying in the Grass
(Im Grase) - Lying in the Moss
(Im Moose) - Awaiting Moonrise
(Mondesaufgang) - Retribution
(Die Vergeltung) - To my Mother
(An meine Mutter) - The Little Lad in the Fen
(Der Knabe im Moor) - The Mirror Image
(Das Spiegelbild) - To a dead lark
(Die todte Lerche) - Farewell, one and all
(Lebt wohl) - To Elise. On 19th November 1843
(An Elise. Am 19. Novemeber 1843)
Letters
- Annette von Droste-Hülshoff to Anton Matthias Sprickmann in Berlin, Feb 8th 1819; » downolad pdf
- Annette von Droste-Hülshoff to Christoph Bernhard Schlüter in Münster, Nov 19th 1835; » download pdf
- Annette von Droste-Hülshoff to Jenny von Laßberg in Meersburg, Jan 29th 1839; » download pdf
- Annette von Droste-Hülshoff to Therese von Droste-Hülshoff in Bökendorf, Nov 9th 1847; » download pdf
- Annette von Droste-Hülshoff to Levin Schücking in Mondsee, May 5th 1842; » download pdf
- Annette von Droste-Hülshoff to Elise Rüdiger in Abbenburg, July 24th 1843; » download pdf
The Translator
Sydney G. Swan (1922-2011) was born in East End Finchley, north of London and spent his life years at Coesfeld, Münsterland, Germany. He has been a member of staff of the institute concerned with research into Annette von Droste-Hülshoff's life and work.
