"I quite agree about the problem of translating poetry (not just Greek poems, though) when the original is nigh incomprehensible and the word-for-word translation gives unlikely combinations in the target language. My point here was less of interpretation (though that's how I understood the line on first reading) and more of disagreement with the result (esp. 'wildness of your madness')."
You are right, there. I guess it all comes down to how each one understands it and that is the beauty with poetry.... how the very same words can mean different things to different people.And I was referring to translating Greek poetry cause thats all I have experience with...
I do believe we should try to interpret "άγγιξα", which might then lead us to an acceptable collocation for "της τρέλας σου το αγρίμι". It is a beautiful line in Greek, don't you agree? One should aim for an equally beautiful line in English. Anyway, I believe that your interpretation is in favour of something like "I never even managed to lay a hand on the wild animal that your madness is" (correct me if I'm wrong). Tough, indeed, to squeeze that into four-five words."
If I tried to interpret the poem I would probably end up with a new poem as I am sure you would too. My intention was to try and answer the "what does that say" question of someone who happened to like the music and asked for the lyrics. Your edition of it is very good indeed and thanks for taking the time to help me with it. :)))
Now, why don't I just paste the whole song for you to read and enjoy? (Lord, I don't even want to think what is coming when I start with "Το Πεπρωμένο" hehehe!)
:))))) enjoy!
Τα άγρια πουλιά τα ημερεύω
όλο για σένα τους μιλώ και τα μαγεύω
Τα άγρια πουλιά τα ημερεύω
με τα σπασμένα μου φτερά τα συντροφεύω.
Όμως τι κρίμα που δε μάγεψα κι εσένα
τι κρίμα που δεν άγγιξα της τρέλλας σου τ' αγρίμι
κι έγινε η αγάπη, η αγάπη ένα συντρίμι
σημάδι που χαράκτηκε στη πιο βαθιά μου μνήμη.
Τα άγρια πουλιά ρωτούν τη νύχτα
με πιο τραγούδι να ξορκίζεται η πίκρα
Τα άγρια πουλιά στο πέταγμά τους
αναστενάζουν μεσ' απ' το κελάηδημά τους...
Όμως τι κρίμα που δε μάγεψα κι εσένα
τι κρίμα που δεν άγγιξα της τρέλλας σου τ' αγρίμι
κι έγινε η αγάπη, η αγάπη ένα συντρίμι
σημάδι που χαράκτηκε στη πιο βαθιά μου μνήμη.
~Α~