On the Strudlhof Steps in ViennaWhen the leaves upon the steps are lying
from the old stairs is heard an autumn sighing
of all that's gone across them in the past
A moon in which a couple, holding fast,embraces, lightweight shoes and heavy footfall
the mossed urn in the middle, by the wall,
outlasts the year between the wars and dying.
So much is past and gone, to our dismay,And beauty shows the frailest power to stay.
"On the Strudlhof Steps in Vienna"Poem by Heimito von Doderer
Quoted from his 1951 novel "The Strudlhof Steps"
Translation by Vincent Kling © 1974
Chestnut LeafHolding on to fountain rim
The Strudlhof Steps
Alsergrund
9th District
Repost
Images by Merisi
© October 2009
One more repost - I have collected a number of images of this year's autumn mood around the Strudlhof Steps, but the time to frame then into a new post is still scarce (and yes, not only duty keeps me busy).
ReplyDeleteA wonderful Sunday to all of you,
Merisi
I didn't see any strudels on those steps. :)
ReplyDeleteNext time, I'll try to remember to take some strudel to the Strudlhof Steps! ;-)
DeleteDear Charles, eating is very important here in Vienna, but not all names refer to edible things. The steps are named after Peter Strudl ( or Strudel, 1660-1714 ) a baroque painter who owned the the place where much later the famous
ReplyDeletesteps were built ( 1910, if my memory doesn't fool me ). The novel is a must-read, only second to Proust, and the english version by Kling honours both the
style and the spirit of the original. Happy reading!
Thank you, roe, for your kind comment! :-)
DeleteI have read the novel, but thanks to you I now can recommend King's English version to my friends.
Cheers,
Merisi
This reminds me of another ‘poetic’ staircase: Luís de Camões.
ReplyDelete