[Mirabell]

Indeed, stewart. This is a major point. German hacks translating English poetry often overlook the fact that english is an easier language to rhyme in, that pentameter is almost a natural rhythm in english (cf. Steele). rhymes in German invariably sound contrived.

and, to drag bejamin out again. it is more important to translate the form than to do justice to the words? Benjamin's translations have changed the very meaning of some Baudelaire poems.

I also saw a number of English Rilke translations and was dumbfounded that people would think that they were in any way equivalents...