The Brown Book

Diary Entry of August 25, 1872

Overview

Verses accompanying Twilight of the Gods Act III announce the completion of a work long carried through anxious years. Wagner presents it as a proud royal edifice brought into daylight by love and renewed life.

Content

Sunday, August 25:

Bei Übersendung des III Aktes der Götterdämmerung
an den König Ludwig II
‘Vollendet das ewige Werk!
Wie im Traum ich es trug,
Wie mein Wille es wies, —
Was bange Jahre barg
des reifenden Mannes Brust,
aus winternächtigen Wehen
der Lieb und des Lenzes Gewalten
Trieben dem Tag’ es zu:
dort steh’ es stolz zur Schau,
als kühner Königsbau
Prang’ es prächtig der Welt!

On dispatching Act III of
Twilight of the Gods
to King Ludwig II
‘The immortal work is complete!
Borne by me as in a dream,
as my will did direct, —
what for years of anxiety,
the maturing breast has concealed,
out of winter-night woes
the forces of love and of spring
have impelled toward light of day:
proudly on view may it stand,
like a bold edifice of the King’s
its splendour show to the world!”