Writing in Tongues: Translating Yiddish in the Twentieth Century

Appendix A. Anna Margolin’s “Maris tfile” in Yiddish and Translations

109 Appendix A Anna Margolin’s “Maris tfile” in Yiddish and Translations 110 Appendix A “Mary’s Prayer,” translated by Lawrence Rosenwald God, these paths are poor and still. Through fire of sin and fire of tears, All paths lead to you. Of love I have built you a nest, Of silence, a temple. I am your keeper, handmaid, and beloved, And I have never seen your face. And I lie at the edge of the world, And you go darkly through me, like the hour of death, Go like a broad and glittering sword. “Mary’s Prayer,” translated by Kathryn Hellerstein God, humble and mute are these ways. Through the fire of sin and of tears All ways lead to you. I have built you a nest out of love And out of silence, a temple. I am your protector, servant, and beloved, And I have never seen your face. And I lie on the rim of the world, And you pass through me, dark as the hour of death, Pass like a broad, flashing sword. Appendix A 111 “Mary’s Prayer,” translated by Shirley Kumove God, meek and silent are the ways. Through the flames of sin and tears All roads lead to You. I built You a nest of love And from silence, a temple. I am Your guardian, servant and lover, Yet I have never seen your face. I lie at the edge of the world, While You pass through me darkly like the hour of death, You pass like a broad, flashing sword. ...