This website is using cookies

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website. 

Weöres Sándor: The flood (Az özönvíz in English)

Portre of Weöres Sándor

Az özönvíz (Hungarian)

Mikor a víz tetején forgó deszka vitte,

a deszka, mely forgott az örvény tűjén,

nem volt világtáj, csak forgás.

Menuh fölfelé nézett, a habos ködbe.

Nyújtotta két kezét:

"Uram, a ködöt hajtsd le rólunk,

küldd el előlünk az áradatot,

vedd kezem a tiedbe,

mint apámét és nagyapámét,

rejtsd a mélybe, a szent hegy alá,

tarthassa megint a világot."

 

Habzott a köd, forgott a víz.

Menuh kivette Mati öléből csecsemőjét.

"Uram, ládd, a két karomban elfér,

nem voltam-e én is ily kicsiny

és apám is, és nagyapám is?

Az örvénybe dobom,

ha meg nem segítesz engem."

 

A tajték felforrt,

a csecsemő fekete lett, mint a szén.

Ekkor Mati kikapta Menuh köpenye alól a lámpát,

a forgóba vetette.

Megint kezdődött a világosság.



Uploaded byP. T.
Source of the quotationhttp://mek.oszk.hu

The flood (English)

When he was carried by the twirling board upon the waters,

the board, which spun upon the needle of the vortex,

there was no direction, only spin.

Menuh stared up into the foamy mist

He held up his hands:

"Lord, lift this mist from us

send the approaching flood away,

take my hand into yours

as you did my father's and grandfather's

hide it in the depths, below the holy mountain,

so it may hold the world again."

 

The mist foamed, the waters twirled.

Menuh took his infant from Mati's arms.

"Observe Lord. He fits into my arms,

have I not been as small as he,

and my father, grandfather also?

I will throw him into the whirlpool

should you not come to my aid."

 

The foam boiled,

the infant turned black as coal,

On that, Mati grabbed the lantern from neath the cloak of Menuh,

tossed it into the whirl.

Once more the light began to shine.   



Uploaded byLeslie A. Kery
Source of the quotationLeslie A. Kery

minimap