Spring and Autumn

Original Poem:
Der Frühling und der Herbst
by Gottlieb Konrad Pfeffel

Niemals ist doch der Mensch
mit meinen Gaben zufrieden,
Sagte zum Frühling der Herbst;
dir nur lächelt sein Gruss.
Freund, versetzte der Lenz,
so will es die Sitte hienieden;
Für den Sterblichen ist
Hoffnung mehr als Genuss.



My translation into English:
Spring and Autumn

Never yet has the human
been content with my gifts,
said the Autumn to the Spring.
You are the one he greets with laughter.

Friend,
replied the Spring,
it is their custom.
For mortals, hope
is more than pleasure.



Original German poem translated into French, then into Italian, then into English:

However the man with my gifts
never is not satisfied,
said to the Spring the autumn;
you laugh only its salute.
The friend, has moved Spring,
then wants the habit;
For the dead woman them
is one hope more like advantage