Although The
Book of Hours is the work
of Rilke's youth, it contains the germ of his mature convictions.
Written as spontaneously received prayers, these poems celebrate a
God who is not the Creator of the Universe but rather humanity itself
and, above all, that most intensely conscious part of humanity, the
artist. Babette Deutsch's classic translations--born from "the
pure desire to sing what the poet sang" (Ursula K. Le
Guin)--capture the rich harmony and suggestive imagery of the
originals, transporting the reader to new heights of inspiration and
musicality.