Poems by Hans Christian Andersen

All Poems Original Poems Translations

Vandrer-Liv

Gaardhunden gjøer — dens Tænder ere saa skarpe.

En Qvinde træder i Forstuen ind,

Ak, Armod sidder paa Kjole og Kind,

Hun synger og spiller paa Harpe.

En ussel Hest bag Gjærdet søger sit Foder;

Hist holder Vognen med Dyne og Skuur,

Der sidder Manden i Guds Natur

Hans Christian Andersen

"That ancient tree, don’t let it fall"

That ancient tree, don’t let it fall

Until old age is knelling;

So many things it can recall,

What tales it could be telling.

We once did see its blossom-haul

Each branch with fruit was swelling.

That ancient tree, don’t let it fall,

You must not think of felling!

Hans Christian Andersen

How bright the room seemed! It was as if a ray of light came from the book, a luminous tree whose branches spread out across the ceiling. The leaves were fresh and green and on each branch flowers bloomed and fruit hung. The flowers were faces of young maidens, some with radiant dark eyes and other(s) with clear blue ones. The fruits were sparkling stars. All the while the most beautiful music could be heard.

……………….

He [the pixy] experienced greatness. He saw what we see when God, disguised as the storm, walks across the turbulent ocean. He cried without knowing why he cried, but found that in those tears happiness was hidden. "How wonderful it must be," he thought, "to sit under the magic tree together with the student." But that was not possible; he had to be satisfied with looking through the keyhole.

Hans Christian Andersen

From The Philosopher’s Stone

Now she heard the following words sadly sung,—

“Life is a shadow that flits away

In a night of darkness and woe.”

But then would follow brighter thoughts:

“Life has the rose’s sweet perfume

With sunshine, light, and joy.”

And if one stanza sounded painfully—

Hans Christian Andersen