The good-looking are more loved and assiduously The merry-ones are loved less, but quicker, - The taciturn persons are loved, only less often, But if they are loved, stronger. Don’t yell tender words, don’t yell, Sometimes keep them for a while involuntarily May the steamer be noisy at night, Now and you keep quiet, be quiet, - Hurry up - otherwise all will be lost. She reads sad novels, - Now let her compare, and trust in her, - However there appeared black tulips - To let the white look whiter. Don’t yell tender words, don’t yell, Sometimes keep them for a while involuntarily, - May the poets yell and vow, Now and you keep quiet, be quiet, - Hurry up - otherwise all will be lost. The words run, they feel crowded - now what so ever! - You are afraid to be late. There are many words if you want, Tell, if you are not able to be without saying them. But don’t shout those words, don’t shout, Sometimes keep them for a while involuntarily, May the steamers be noisy at night .. Fall silent, keep quiet, be quiet, - Hurry up! - otherwise all will be lost.
© Elisabeth Jelinek. Translation, 2018