HEINE’S BOOK OF SONGS. TRANSLATED BY CHARLES G. LELAND, AUTHOR.OF “ MEISTER, KARL’S SKETCH-BOOK” AND “ SUNSHINE IN THOUGHT.” THIRD EDITION. NEW YORK: LEYPOLDT & HOLT. 1868.red, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by Frederick Leypoldt, > Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.c ’"-s Y ’rpis the old wood of fairy tales! The linden scent steals ronnd me And the wild, lovely moonlight ray With fairy charm has bound me. And on I went, and as I went, Above I heard a ringing; And all of love and loving pain Dame Nightingale was singing. She sings of love and pains of love, Of tears and laughs out-breaking; She chirps so sad, she sighs so glad, Forgotten dreams awaking. And on I went, and as I went, I saw before me lying, In a broad field, a castle fair, Quaint gabled, upward flying. 703127IV PREFACE. Enclosed windows everywhere, A silence full of warning; It seemed as though the peace of Death Dwelt there in awful mourning. Before the doorway crouched a sphynx, Dread, with love-longing human; The claws and body lion-like, In head and breasts a woman. A lovely one, whose rising glance Showed Love to Passion turning; The silent lips were bent to kiss, Smiling assent—and burning! So sweetly sang the nightingale, I yielded as a lover; And as I kissed the lovely face, With me ’twas quickly over. All living grew the marble form, Blood through each vein flushed burning; The flaming glow of my kisses hot She drank with thirst and yearning. She well-nigh drank my breath away, And then, in lust up-flaring, Twined round me, all my wretched limbs With lion-talons tearing. Lavishing death! voluptuous pangs! Infinite pain and pleasure! The talons tore with agony, While I sucked the mouth’s rich treasure.PREFACE. V Sang nightingale: “0 lovely Sphynx, 0 Love! what is the reason That you still bring death’s keenest pain To love’s most rapturous season? 0 lovely Sphynx ! 0 riddle wild! In vain I still revolve it: I’ve turned it many a thousand year, But never yet could solve it.” —All of that I could have very well said in good prose. . . . But when one reads over his old poems in order to retouch them a little for a new impression, the jingling habit of rhyme and metre steals over him unawares, and, lo! it is with verses that I begin the third edition. 0 Phoebus Apollo! if these verses are bad, you will kindly pardon me. ... For you are an omniscient god, and well know why I have not since many years busied myself much with metre and harmony. . . . You know why the flame which once delighted the world with brilliant flashes of fire-works must all at once be suddenly ap- plied to far more serious conflagrations. . . . You know why it now in silent glow con- sumes my heart. ... You understand me, great, beautiful god, since you too have nowPREFACE. tnd then exchanged the golden lyre with the strong bow and the deadly arrows. ... Do ron not remember Marsyas, whom you layed? That was long ago; and there is leed of a fresh example. You smile, 0 my mmortal father! Written in Paris, February 20, 1839. Heinrich Heine.CONTENTS. Hmm-ptim. PAGE I had a dream long since of Love’s wild glow.............. 1 A dream right strange, yet dread to see................... 2 I saw myself—’twas in a dream by night.................... 5 In dreams I saw a little dandy fellow..................... 5 What headlong madness stirs my blood?..................... 6 In sweetest dreams by silent night........................ 8 I have paid you your price, but you’re lingering still,... 10 I went from the house of my lady fair..................... 14 I lay and slept, and softly slept......................... 20 I’ve called the pale dead round me........................ 21 When night flies, I ask the morrow...................... 23 Now here, now there I’m urged—at last................... 23 All under the trees I wandered.......................... 24 Love, my love,—lay your small hand on my lieatt......... 25 Lovely cradle of my sorrow.............................. 25 Wait, oh, wait, impatient sailor........................ 26 Hills and towers are gazing downward.................... 27 I at first was near despairing.......................... 28 With roses, with cypress, and gold-leaf bright.......... 28 viiYin CONTENTS. Slmnancts. PAGE The Mourner.—Every tender heart shows feeling........... 30 The Mountain Echo.—A rider through the valley passed.... 31 Two Brothers.—On yon mountain-summit dreaming........ 31 Poor Peter.—1. Jack and his Maggie go dancing around.... 33 “ “ 2. Deep in my breast’s a pain alway......... 33 “ “ 3. Poor Peter wanders, tottering, by........ 34 Song of the Prisoner.—Folks said, when my granny Eliza bewitched........................................ 35 The Grenadiers.—To the land of France went two grena- diers............................................ 35 The Message.—Now rise, my squire, and saddle quick...... 37 Taking Home the Bride.—I go not alone, my dainty love... 38 Don Ramiro.—Donna Clara! Donna Clara!................ 38 Belshazzar.—Midnight came slowly sweeping on......... 44 The Minnesingers.—To the strife of song forth wending... 46 Looking from the Window.—Pale Henry caught fair Hed- wig’s eye........................................ 47 The Wounded Knight.—I know a mournful reading........ 47 The Voyage.—I counted every falling wave............. 48 The Ballad of Rue.—Sir Ulrich in the green wood rides... 49 To a Lady Singer.—Even now, as when I first beheld her.... 51 Song of the Ducats.—0 my golden ducats! say............. 52 Dialogue on tiie Paderborn Heath.—Hear’st thou not far music ringing.................................... 53 Life-Greeting.—This earth of ours is a great highway.... 55 Yes, Indeed.—When spring is coming with sun-rays bright... 56 j&mittts. To A. W. von Schlegel.—In wide-hooped dress and flowers of gaudy brightness.............................. 57 To my Mother, B. Heine, nIse von Geldern. 1. It is my wont my head right high to carry.... 58 2. In wild delusion from thy side once turning 58 To II. S.—f oped tliy book in haste, and, lo, before me. 59CONTENTS. IX Jtetij Sflraitts to Clrristiim j§. PAGE I dance not with, I worship not, that rabble........... 60 Give me that mask—for masked I’ll cross the border..... 60 Loudly I laugh at the dry, soulless flunkey............ 61 My brain is haunted by a legend rare................... 61 When the soft evening hours are sadly going............ 62 When I saw thee again in last year’s meeting........... 63 Beware, my friend, of devilish grins and glaring....... 63 fhou’st seen me oft with knaves in altercation......... 64 I would be weeping, yet I cannot weep............•••••. 65 f griral |nttrme^0. 1822—1823. Prologue.—There once was a knight, sad and silent was he... 66 In the wondrous lovely month of May.................... 68 Up from my tears are growing........................... 68 For the dove or the sun, rose or lily sweet growing.... 68 Whene’er into thine eyes I see......................... 69 That face which ever fair did seem..................... 69 Oh, lay thy cheek against my cheek..................... 70 I will pour all my soul’s deep feeling................. 70 The stars have stood unmoving.......................... 70 On the wings of song far sweeping...................... 71 The lotus-blossom suffers............................... 72 In the Rhine, in the glorious river.................... 73 You love me not, you love me not...................... 73 Come, twine in wild rapture round me................... 74 Oh, do not vow, but only kiss.......................... 74 Upon my darling’s lovely eyes.......................... 75 The world’s a fool, the world is blind................. 75 Dreamy phantoms, fair and flceti ng.................... 75 Like the foam-born of the waters....................... 76 I will be patient, though my heart should break........ 77 Yes, thou art wretched, but I’ll not complain.......... 77 Yiol and flute are sounding............................. 78 So you have forgotten altogether....................... 78 And if the small flow'ers but knew' it................. 78X CONTENTS. PAGB Why are the roses so pale of hue.......................... 79 O’er me they much lamented................................ 80 The lindens blossomed, the nightingale sung............... 80 We’ve had many a sympathetic thought...................... 81 To me thou wert true the longest.......................... 81 Too long had the earth kept back its treasure.............. 82 And as I so long, oh, so long delayed...................... 83 O’er violets blue her eyelids fall......................... 83 The world is so fair, and the heaven so blue............... 83 My own dear love, when in the tomb........................ 84 A pine-tree’s standing lonely............................. 85 Lovely, gleaming, golden star............................. 85 Ah! could I but the footstool be................f......... 86 Since my sweetheart went away............................. 86 From the great pain of my spirit.......................... 87 Too oft I cannot bless thee............................... 87 Town-snobbies, their Sunday keeping....................... 88 The forms of times forgotten............................... 88 A young man loves a maiden................................;.. 89 The Elixir Vitae, friendship, love........................ 90 Hear I the ballad ringing................................. 90 I dreamed of the fairest princess seen.................... 91 My love, in our light boat riding......................... 91 From ancient legends springing............................... 92 I have loved thee long, and I love thee now............... 93 On a fair gleaming summer morning......................... 93 In the dark garb she’s wearing............................ 94 They tortured me completely............................... 94 The ruddy rays of summer.................................. 95 Often when two are parting................................ 96 With feelings refined and poetic.......................... 96 My songs are full of poison............................... 97 The dream of old caine o’er me............................ 98 I stand upon a mountain................................... 98 My coach goes slowly rolling.............................. 99 I wept while I was dreaming............................... 100 Each night in dreams thou com’st to me.....:.............. 100 The wind and the i*ain are playing........................ 101 The Fall wind rattles the branches........................ 101 Yonder a star is falling.................................. 102CONTENTS. xi PAGE The Dream-God brought me to a giant pile................. 103 The midnight air was cold and rude....................... 104 The suicide lies buried.................................. 104 Where I am, still darker o’er me...............■......... 105 Night lay upon my eyelids................................ 105 The old and evil ballads................................. 107 1S23—1824, In my life too dark and dreary.......................... 109 I know not what sorrow is o’er, me......................'119" My heart, my heart is weary............................. Ill In the woods I wander weeping........................... 112 The night is wet and stormy............................. 112 As I once by chance on a journey........................ 113 We sat by the fisher’s cottage.......................... 114 My gentle ferry-maiden.................................. 115 The moon is high in heaven................................ 116 The quiet moon upon the clouds..........................116 All wrapped up in gray cloud-garments................... 117 The wild wind puts his trousers on...................... 118 The wind pipes up for dancing........................... 118 The night comes stealing o’er me........................ 119 When early in the morning............................... 120 The ocean shimmered far around.......................... 121 High up on yonder mountain.............................. 122 Far on the dim horizon.................................. 123 Once more in solemn ditty............................... 123 Again through the streets well known of old............. 124 I entered her home, recalling.................i......... 125 Calm is the night, and the city is sleeping............. 125 How canst thou sleep so calmly.......................... 126 The maiden sleeps in her chamber........................ 126 I stood in shadowy dreaming............................. 127 I, a most wretched Atlas, who a world.................... 128 Ages may come and vanish................................ 128 It seemed that the pale moon sadly shone................ 128 What means this lonely tear-drop........................ 129 The pale half-moon is floating.......................... 130XU CONTENTS. PAGE To-night we have dreadful weather......................... 131 They say that my heart is breaking........................ 132 Oh, thy lovely lily-fingers............................... 132 Has she really never noticed.............................. 133 They tenderly loved, and yet neither...................... 133 When first my afflictions you heard me rehearse............ 134 I called the Devil, and he came........................... 134 Mortal! sneer not at the Devil............................ 135 Which is the way to Bethlehem............................. 135 My child, we once were children............................. 136 My heart is sad, and with misgiving....................... 137 As the summer moon shines rising.......................... 138 In dreams I saw the loved one.....?....................... 138 Friend of mine, why are you ever.......................... 139 But, I pray, be not impatient............................ 140 It is time that my mind from this folly I free............. 140 The great King Wiswa-wvitra............................... 141 Heart, my heart, oh, be not shaken........................... 141 TliouTt like a lovely floweret............................ 142 Child! it were your utter ruin............................... 142 When on my bed I’m lying................................... 143 Maiden with thy mouth of roses............................143 Though, without, the snow-drifts tower.................... 144 Many pray to the Madonna.................................. 144 And do not my pale cheeks betray.......................... 144 Dearest friend, you are in love........................... 145 I fain would linger near thee.................... ....... 145 Bright sapphires are your beaming eyes....................146 With love-vows I long have bound me.................... 147 This world and this life are so scattered, they try me...... 147 To-night they give a party................................148 I would I could blend my sorrows.......................... 148 Thou hast diamonds, and dresses, and jewels................. 149 He who for the first time loves........................... 149 No! the tameness and the sameness............................ 150 They gave me advice which I scarcely heeded............... 150 I can never speak too highly.............................. 151 I dreamed that I was Lord of all..........................152 From sweetest lips have I been forced, and driven......... 154 We rode in the dark post-carriage.......................... 154CONTENTS. Xlll PAGE Lord knows where the wild young hussy................... 155 When you become my married wife......................... 156 Like dusky dreams, the houses........................... 156 What lies are hid in kisses............................. 157 Upon your snowy bosom................................... 158 Blue hussars with their trumpets loud sounding.......... 158 I too, in life's early- season.......................... 159 Seldom did we know each other........................... 159 How the eunuchs were complaining........................ 159 ’Twas just in the midst of July that I left you......... 160 Near to me lives Don Henriquez.......................... 160 Round the walls of Salamanca............................ 161 Now then, do you really hate me?........................ 162 Still the same those eyes beguiling..................... 162 Scarce had we met, when, in tones and in glances........ 163 The sunlight is stealing o’er mountain and river........ 163 On strange roads the night is lying..................... 164 In the market-place of Halle............................ 164 Summer eve with day is striving......................... 165 Death is a cool and pleasant night......................165 Say, where is your own fair darling.....................166 The Twilight of the Gods.—The month of May with golden gleams is coming................................... 166 Ratcliff.—The Dream-God brought me to a rural scene.....169 Donna Clara.—In the pleasant twilight garden............. 173 Almanzor.—1. In Cordova’s grand cathedral............... 176 2. Hastily from the cathedral................. 178 3. In the castle Alcolea................... 180 The Pilgrimage to Kevlaar. 1. The mother stood at the window.......... 181 2. The Virgin Mary at Kevlaar.............. 182 3. The sickly son and his mother........... 183 % fartj Iffttrneg. 1824. Prologue.—Black dress-coats and silken stockings........ 185 Mountain Idyls.—1. On yon rock the hut is standing...... 186 “ “ 2. Fir-tree with his dark-green fingers. 188 “ “ 3. Silently the moon goes hiding....... 190XIV CONTENTS. PAGE The Shepherd Boy.—Every shepherd is a monarch......... 194 The Brocken.—In the East’tis ever brighter........... 195 The Ilse.>—l am the Princess Use...................... 196 %\t Iflril) £ta. 1825-1826. PART FIRST. Homage.—Ye poems! ye mine own valiant poems!.......... 198 Twilight.—On the white strand of Ocean................ 200 Sunset.—The sun in crimsoned glory falls.............. 201 Night on the Sea-Shore.—Starless and cold is the night. 203 Poseidon.—The sun’s bright rays were playing.......... 205 Declaration.—Onward dimly came the evening............ 207 By Night in the Cabin.—The sea has many pearl-drops... 209 Storm.—Loud rages the storm........................... 212 Calm at Sea.—Ocean silence! rays are falling.......... 213 A Sea-Phantom.—But I still leaned o’er the side of the vessel 214 Purification.—Stay thou in gloomy ocean-caverns..... 217 Peace.—High in heaven the sun was standing............ 218 PART SECOND. Sea-Greeting.—Thalatta! Thalatta!................... 220 Storm.—Dark broods a storm on the ocean........... 222 The Shipwrecked.—Lost hope and lost love! All is in ruins.. 223 Sunset.—The beautiful sun-orb....................... 225 The Song of the Oceanides.—Colder the twilight falls on the Ocean........................................... 227 The Gods of Greece.—Thou full-blooming moon! in thy soft light........................................... 230 Questioning.—By the sea, by the dreary, darkening sea.233 The Phoenix.—A bird from the far west his way came winging 234 Echo.—I leaned on the mast; on the lofty ship’s deck.. 235 In Port.—Happy the man who is safe in his haven....... 236 Epilogue.—As in the meadow the wheat is growing....... 239SDHt trciumte einft bon toilbem StebeSgtii^n. J HAD a dream long since of Love’s wild glow— Locks, mignonette and myrtle—all it teaches Of sweet, red kisses and of bitter speeches ; Sad airs of sadder songs—long, long ago! My soaring dreams long since their wings have folded, And passed away, so too that visioned form; All that remains is what in passion’s storm Once in rapt love in my soft rhymes I moulded. Thou, orphaned song, art here! go seek the wraith Of that sweet dream so long from me retreating, And when thou find’st it, give my truest greeting ; I send to the airy shade an airy breath.2 DREAM-PICTUKES. II. gin £taum, gat jeUfam fdjauetltdj, A DREAM right strange, yet dread to see, Delighted once yet frightened me: E’en yet I see its grisly forms, E’en yet my heart still heaves with storms. There rose a garden very fair, And I was glad to wander there; There looked upon me pleasant flowers, They gave me hope of golden hours. There birds were chirping in the grove Full many a charming song of love; The red sun shot a golden ray On all the flowers in colors gay. Sweet perfumes stole among the trees, And light and loving blew the breeze, And all was gleaming, all was glad, And all for me in splendor clad. And in this lovely flower-land I saw a marble fountain stand; And washing linen in the stream . I saw a maiden in my dream. Sweet cheeks, mild eyes, with glances faint, The blonde-haired picture of a saint; And as I looked, the maid seemed grown So strange, and yet of old well known.DUEAM-PICTURES. 3 And as she urged her task along* The maiden sung an elvish song: ‘'Water, water, run and shine! Wash my linen fair and fine!”, Then slowly to her side I drew, And said, “0 maiden; tell: me true, Fair as the fairies, sweet and bright, For whom is washed this garment white ?” “Be ready soon!” she said aloud, “It is for you I wash the shroud And scarce her words were spoken through, When forth like foam the vision flew. And yet enchanted still I stood, Beep in a dark and gloomy wood; The trees to heaven their branches raised, And I stood thinking, all. amazed. And hark! a heavy echo rose, As though some axe struck distant blows. In haste through brake and bush I roam, And then into a clearing come. And central in the verdant space A mighty oak had found a place; And see! the maiden strange and fair Was hewing with a hatchet there! Blow fell on blow-; between each stroke, She sang her song to axe and oak: “Iron mine, iron shine! Cut the oaken coffer fine!” 2DREAM-PICTURES. Then slowly to her side I drew, And said, “ I pray you, tell me true, Young maiden strange, and wondrous fair, For whom is meant the coffer there ?” “Short time is left,” she quickly spoke, “I cut your coffin from this oak And scarce her words were spoken through, When forth like foam the vision flew. Around me spread, all dead and gray, A barren heath, far, far away; I could not tell how came the thing, Or how I came there shuddering. And as I wandered on my way, A brighter place before me lay. I hastened still, I hastened more, And found the form I saw before. On wide-spread heath stood blonde-white maid, And dug the earth with burial spade; I hardly dared to look, for she Was fair, yet fearful, still to me. And as she urged her task along, The maiden sang an elvish song: “Spade, my spade, sharp and tried, Dig the grave out deep and wide!” Then slowly to her side I drew, And said, “I pray you, tell me true, Young maiden strange, and fair, and sweet, What means this grave before our feet ?”DREAM-PICTURES. 5 And quick she spoke, “ Be still! it’s true— This cool, deep grave I’ve dug for you And as the lovely maid replied, The grave before me opened wide. And as the opening grave I view, A freezing horror thrills me through, And plunging in its funeral night I fall—but wake once more to light. III. 3m nadjfgcn £raum Ijab’ id) ntidj felbft gefdjaut. J SAW myself—’twas in a dream by night, A black dress-coat and silken waistcoat showing, With ruffled hands as to a party going, And by me stood the loved one, fair and bright, And with a bow I said, “ The bride!—ah—right! Accept my compliments,”—but the glib flowing Of words was checked; my very throat seemed growing To stop this flippant, cold, and well-bred rite; When all at once I saw that she was weeping Such a wild flood of tears, swelling with sighing, That her dear form seemed well-nigh from me sweep- ing- 0 gentle eyes; dear love-stars fondly gleaming, Although awake, I oft have seen ye lying. 1 trust ye still,—aye, though ye lie while dreaming. IV. 3m £raum fafy icfy cin 2Jlamtdjett Sletn uitb £u£tg. JN dreams I saw a little dandy fellow, Who walked on stilts, each step a yard or two;6 DREAM-PICTURES. He wore white linen and a garment new, But all within was coarse, and foul, and yellow; Yes, all within was mean, corrupt, and mellow, Although he seemed without both sound and true. And much the creature bragged of courage, too; And saucy was his strut, and loud his bellow. “ And know you who that is ? Come here and see!” So spoke the Dream-God, slyly showing me Dim pictures in a magic glass, and then Before an altar stood my dwarf in dress, My loved one near him, and as both said, “Yes!” A thousand devils, laughing, cried, “Amen!” V. SBoS treifct tmb to&t tnein tcHeS 39lut? headlong madness stirs my blood ? What drives my heart with fiery goad? My blood boils up, ferments, and foams, And o’er my heart grim anger comes. My blood boils up, and mad I seem, For. I have had an evil dream ; There came the gloomy Son of Night, Who bore me, gasping, in his flight. He took me to a lighted house, Mid sound of harp and gay carouse; Mid tapers’ gleam and torches’ glare, I reached the hall and entered there.DREAM-PICTURES. 7 It was a merry marriage-feast, Gay at the table sat each guest; But when the bridal pair I spied, Oh, woe! my darling was the bride! It was my love, but in my room A stranger stood, and he the groom! Behind the bride’s own stately chair Silent I stood, still waiting there. Sweet music sounded,—still I stood, Gay sounds awoke my mournful mood; In every glance, the bride seemed blest, The bridegroom oft her fingers prest. The bridegroom filled his beaker high, And drained it deep, then courteously Gave to the bride; she smiled to thank:— Oh, woe! my crimson blood she drank ! A dainty apple then she took, And gave it him with loving look; Across the fruit his knife he drew,*— : It was my heart he cut in two.. They glance so sweet, they glance so long, He dares embrace, nor deems it wrong; Her red lips feel his kisses free,— But, oh! cold Death is kissing me. My tongue lay in my mouth like lead, No single word could I have said ; The music rolled, the dance began, The dainty bride-pair led the van.DREAM-PICTURES. While I stood corpse-like on the ground, The dancers swept so wild around; The groom speaks whispering to the bride :—■ She blushes,—but she does not chide! * * * * * VI. 3nt fiifjen Sraunt fcei ftiEter 5ftacfyi. TN sweetest dreams by silent night There came to me, through magic might, The one whom I love best of all, She came into my chamber small. I gazed upon the lovely child, I gazed on her, she softly smiled,— Smiled till my wildest love awoke, And boldly, madly, thus I spoke: “Take all, take what thou wilt of me, What most I love I’ll give to thee, If thou wilt be my paramour From midnight to the dawning hour.” She looked on me mysteriously, So sweetly, sadly, earnestly, Then said, in all her loveliness, “Give thy eternal happiness!” “My life so sweet, the life of youth, I’d give with joy in very truth: To thee, thou angel, both are given, But ask not for my hopes of heaven.”DREAM-PICTURES. 9 Quickly the daring word was said, But fairer, fairer seemed the maid, Still whispering in her loveliness, “Give thy eternal happiness!” Harsh on my ear the answer fell; There rolled the burning sea of hell To the last recess of my soul; Scarcely a breath could I control. White angels o’er me pinions spread, With golden glories round each head; But storming wildly, at their back, Came grisly swarms of goblins black. They battled with the angels white, They drove away the angels white; But then I saw the black array In cloudy vapor fade away. Oh, then I burned to taste her charms, . And held my darling in my arms; She twined around me like a roe, But wept, and all in bitter woe. She weeps; the cause I know full well, ' And kiss her little rose-lips still. “0 sweetheart, cease this flood of tears, Yield to my love, and not to fears! “ Yield to my love.”—Scarce spoke I twice, When at one shock my blood seemed ice; Beep groaned the earth, then opened fleet A black abyss before my feet.10 DREAM-PICTURES. And from the black abyss, like hail, Shot the dark fiends; my love grew pale! Far from my arms my love has flown, But I am left, and all alone. Then in a ring and all around The devils dance with maddening bound, And close they press, and on me spring, While screaming yells of mockery ring. And closer grows the ring around, And madder roars the shuddering sound, “ Thou gav'st away salvation free, Thou’rt ours to all eternity !” VII. 9h*n Ijaft bw baS tf&ufgetb, nun jogerft bu bod)f T HAVE paid you your price, but you’re lingering 1 still, ° With your brow dark as blood,—knave,—go do as I will! In silence alone in my chamber I bide, And midnight is coming,—I wait for the bride. There’s a shuddering breeze from the burying-ground: “0 breeze! do you know where my bride may be found ?” Pale spectres take figures aerial and thin, And murmur, “Oh, yes!” with strange greeting and griu.DREAM-PICTURES. 11 “ Unpack now!—and give me your message entire, You swarthy-faced scoundrel in livery of fire!” Their graces the company quickly approach: They soon will be here in their state-dragon-coach. “ Little gray mannikin, what do you seek? Long-buried schoolmaster, what is it?—speak !” Sadly he looks, but has nothing to say, And, shaking his head, he goes tottering away. What a shaggy scamp, with his wag and bark! What a devilish glare from the cat in. the dark! What a howl from those women with waving hair, While my old nurse is singing my cradle-song there! “Good nurse, your dull sing-song will tire me at last, The time for a lullaby’s long ago past; To-day is my wedding; to-day is a feast,-— Just look! and see coming each elegant guest! “ Just look, now! That’s stylish, I vow, and well-bred; For a hat, every gentleman carries his head! You spindle-legged folks in your gallows-array, No wind has been blowing to keep you away!” Old witch-mother Broomstick comes sweeping anon: “Come bless me now, Motherkin, I am your son!” With the trembling lips of a sorceress dread, “Amen to eternity !” Motherkin said. Twelve wind-dried musicians come hobbling in; Blind Fiddle-wife stumbles along between. Jack Pudding comes jigging with Harlequin Jack, Bearing the grave-digger in pick-a-back.12 DREAM-PICTURES. Twelve nuns from a cloister come dancing this way, And a squinting old pander-wife leads the array; Twelve lusty young friars come close pressing on, Singing sinful songs in a clerical tone. “Old clothesman, why yell till your face is dead blue ? In hell-fire that fur cloak no service can do! There they heat it gratis year in, year out, With the bones of prince or of beggar-lout.” Crooked-backed flower-girls, tumbling to ground, Go stumbling their somersaults everywhere round. “Grasshopper-legs with the face of an owl, Cease rattling your ribs, and be still with your howl!” All hell together is loose, I see, Raving and waving in myriads free; While the waltz of damnation begins to hum :— Hush! hush!—for my darling the bride is come! “You rabble, be silent, or get you all gone! I scarcely can hear any word of my own,— And there comes the sound of a carriage and four! Hey, Cook!—oh, where are you?—run, open the door!” “Oh, welcome, my darling. And how is my dear? Your Reverence is welcome,—there’s place for you here! Your Reverence with horse-hoof and wonderful tail, I am yours to command, sir,—nor fear I shall fail.”DREAM-PICTURES. 13 “My bride, my beloved!—why pale and so still? The priest and the wedding but wait for your will: As dear as heart’s blood is his horrible fee, But it seems a mere toy, since it gives you to me. “Kneel down by me, darling, my beautiful bride!” She kneels, she is sinking—oh, joy!—at my side: She sinks on my heart, on my wild-beating breast, And with shuddering rapture her charms are caressed. Her wild hair in gold waves hides us both in its play, On my heart the maid’s heart is beating away, And throbbing with agony, burning with bliss, We soar to a region more raptured than this. Our hearts in an ocean of ecstasy swim In regions celestial and holy to Him, But still on our heads, as a curse and a brand, All hell to eternity presses its hand. And the priest in his robes is the dark Son of Night, Who gives us the blessing which quenches our light; From a blood-written volume he murmurs each verse, The prayer is black blasphemy, blessing is curse. There is crashing and hissing to madden the soul, Like the roaring ocean or thunder-roll;— A blue flame flashes above our head,— “Amen to eternity!” Motherkin said.14 DREAM-PICTURES. VIII, 3<$ lam »on metnet £erttn £au8. J WENT from the house of my lady fair, I wandered in madness and dark despair ; And as by the churchyard I went my way, Sadly the gravestones signed me to stay. The minstrel’s tombstone made me a sign, In the glimmering light of the pale moon’s shine: “Good brother, I’m coming,”—wild whispering flows; Pale as a cloud from the grave it rose. ’Twas the harper himself: from the grave he flits; High on the tombstone the harper sits; O’er the strings of the cithern his fingers sweep, And he sings, in a voice right harsh and deep: “What! know ye yet that song of old, Which through the heart once deeply rolled, Ye strings now slow to move? The angels call it Heaven’s joy, The devils call it Hell’s annoy, But mortals call it—love!” Scarce had sounded the last word’s tone, Ere the graves were opened, every one, And airy figures came pressing out, And sweep round the minstrel, while shrill they shout, “Love, Love, it was thy might Laid us in these beds with right,DREAM-PICTURES. 15 Closed our eyelids from tlie light: Wherefore call’st thou in the night?” So the pack howls bewild’ring, and screeches and groans, And roaring and rushing it crackles and moans, And mad round the minstrel the wild swarm flings, And wildly his fingers sweep oyer the strings: “Bravo! hravo! madder still! Still welcome be All, all of ye, All who mind my magic spell! Though in little homes of clay Still as mice long years we lay, Now we’ll drive time merrily on, If it should please! First look round!—are we alone ? Fools we were while we were living, All our souls to madness giving, To Love’s rapturous agonies. Merry sport to-night can’t fail us: Every one shall truly tell us What it was of old that drove, How he was urged, How he was scourged, In the crazy hunt of Love!” As light as the wind from the circle there sprang A starveling creature, who murmuring sang, “ I was a tailor’s journeyman With needle and with shears;16 DREAM-PICTURES. So quick and slick through work I ran With needle and with shears ; But then my master’s daughter came, With needle and with shears, And stuck me in my heart, you know, With needle and with shears.” Gayly the ghost-laugh went ringing about; Silent and solemn a second stepped out. “ Bravo Rinaldo Rinaldini, Schinderhanno, Orlandini, And Carlo Moor especially, Were the model men for me. And I too,—I’m proud to mention,— Like them, paid to love attention. A genteel and lovely form Haunted me quite like a storm. Then I sighed and sobbed till crazy! Yes,—till Love had made me hazy; And—distractedly, I vow— I picked a pocket, God knows how! But the beadle grudged that I Tears of feeling went to dry With my neighbor’s handkerchief, So he took me—for—a thief! By old catchpoll-custom then, I was led ’mid armed men, And the jail so great in grace Gave a motherly embrace.DREAM-PICTURES. 17 With love raptures in my head, Spinning woolen there I stayed, Till Rinaldo’s shade one day Took my soul with him away.” G-ayly the ghost-laugh went ringing about; Rouged and bedizened, a third stepped out: “As a king in the theatre I’ve thriven, And played in the first-lover line; Roaring many a furious ‘ Oh, Heaven !’ Sighing many a tender ‘Love, thine!’ My Mortimer was—what it should be, And Maria!—her beauty was grand; But my gestures, though natural as could be, Never won from the beauty ‘ a hand:’ Till at last, when despairing completely, ‘ Maria, thou saint, see me weep!’ And, turning my dagger quite neatly, A stuck it a trifle too deep.” Gayly the ghost-laugh went ringing about; In a white wrap-rascal the fourth strolled out: “ In his lecture-chair the professor muddled . And twaddled, and sent me to sleep,—the old quiz! teut I could have slept with more comfort, if cuddled I In bed with tha,t beautiful daughter of his ! Thom the window her greetings she tenderly showered: The flower of all flowers,—my life-light so true!18 DREAM-PICTURES. But the flower of the flowers at length was deflowered By a dry old Philister as rich as a Jew. Then I cursed all the women and rich old hunkers, And mixed devil’s bitters with wme to stop groans, And drank friendship with Death until I was as drunk as The deuce. 'Says he, ‘Bight, lad!—my name is Jack Bones!’” Gayly the ghost-laugh went ringing about ; With a rope round his throttle the fifth walked out: “The count paraded and boasted o’er wine, Of his daughter divine, and his jewelry fine; What care I, count mine, for your diamonds fine ? My taste’s for your daughter,—ah, if she were mine! Both were close under lock and key,— And the count had many a servant in pay; But I cared not for servants, for lock, or for key,— So up on the ladder I went my way. Up to love’s window I clambered fleet, But heard hard cursing beneath my feet: ‘Easy, my boy ; give us room, on the shelf! Eor I have a fancy for jewels myself!’ So the count mocked, and had me bound, While the swarm of servants came shouting round ‘The devil! D’ye think I’m a thief?’ I cried: ‘When to steal a sweetheart was all I tried?’DREAM-PICTURES. Speech was useless, defence in vain, The rope was ready, the facts were plain; And when the sun rose, he wondered to see A gentleman swing on the gallows-tree.” ayly the ghost-laugh went ringing about; ith his head in his hands the sixth stepped out: “ Love drove to hunting and to harm, I roamed with rifle o’er my arm ; A croaking sound came from the tree, ‘Heads off!’ the raven cried to me. ‘ If I could only find a dove, I’d take it home to her I love!’ And so through woods, o’er bush and ground, My hunter’s eye went glancing round. What bills and coos so soft and fair? Two turtle-doves are nestling there! To them with rifle cocked I draw, And there my own dear love I saw. My love,—that was the dove I traced, A stranger her warm form embraced! Now let your aim, old shot, be good!— There lay the stranger in his blood. And soon a. train with hangman’s fare— And I the leading person there— Went through the wood. Up in the oak, ‘Heads off!’ I heard the raven croak.”20 DREAM-PICTURES. Gayly the ghost-laugh went ringing about; And now the harper himself came out. “Time was when my song was waking, The end of my song is come ; When the heart within is breaking, ’Tis time for the songs to go home!” And doubly maddening the laughter swept; And up the white phantoms in circles swept, Till ore from the belfry came pealing down, And, howling, each ghost to his grave has gone. IX. lag unb fc<ef, unb fcf)ltef redjt mttb. J LAY and slept, and softly slept, Afar were grief and woe; And then a dream-form to me swept: The fairest maid I know. As pale she seemed as marble stone, And strangely, wondrous fair; Her swimming eyes had pearl-like grown, And dream-like flowed her hair. And softly, ever softly moved The maiden marble pale, And laid her on the heart she loved, My maiden marble pale. How beat with pain, with love’s sharp zest, My heart,—how warm it burned!DREAM-PICTURES. 21 No throb was in the fair one’s breast,— To ice that breast was turned. “No throb, no heat is in my heart, As ice I feel it cold; Yet well I know of love the smart, Its power all untold. “On mouth and lips there glows no red, My heart-veins feel no blood; Yet strive not so with shuddering dread, To thee I’m dear and good.” And wilder still she winds me round, Half paining, grasping tight; Loud crow’d the cock,—without a sound Forth fled the maiden wmte. X. 25a Jjafc’ idj totel Maffe Seidjen. J’VE called the pale dead round me, Full oft by magic might; And now to themselves they’ve bound me, And will not depart by night. The spell which the Master taught me In my terror no more will come; And the spectres at length have brought me Away to their cloudy home.«, Cease, ye black fiends up-swelling! Press not around in might!22 DREAM-PICTTJRES. Why,—rapture perhaps is dwelling Up here in a rosy light! I must strive, while life beats through me, For the beautiful flower life bore; What value had all life to me Could I love that flower no more ? And oh that I once could capture And hold her embraced again, And her lips and cheeks in rapture Kiss wildly with life’s sweet pain! And that once from her mouth, though sadly, A word of love might come! Ah, then, ye grim ghosts, how gladly I’d pass to your terrible home! They have heard my vow, and they hold me, And bow to it fearfully; Loved heart, for thy love I have sold me! Loved heart! say,—oh, lovest thou me? SDlotgettg fte^’ idj auf tmb frage. ^^HEN night flies, I ask the morrow, Comes my love to-day? Then at eve I yield to sorrow, Yet another day! And the night with little sleeping, But with grief enough, is gone; Half asleep, my sorrow keeping, Through the day I wander on. m tretBi mtdfj e§ treifit mtdj $er. S^OW here, now there I’m urged—at last! But a few hours to wait, and, oh, then I shall meet her, The fairest of maidens,—and soon I shall greet her: ) faithful heart, why this beating so fast ?24 S02STGS. Oh, but the hours are a lazy pack! Strolling at their ease, and idle ; Rolling, yawning, how they sidle To each other!—run, you pack! Raging impatience is driving me fast; Surely the hours were never love-plighted, Since in a cruel, sly compact united They spitefully mock at all true lovers’ haste. III. 3><$ toanbelte wnter ben SSaumen. under the trees I wandered, I with my grief alone ; There came the old dreams as I pondered, And into my heart went down. Who taught ye that spell on my spirit, Birds, high o’er the wind and the rain ? Be still!—if my heart should but hear it, ’Twould cost it full many a pain. “ All under the greenwood walking, A maiden singing we heard: So we birds repeat in our talking That beautiful, golden word.” Fo more from your memory borrow: Too much for a small bird you know; You fain would be stealing my sorrow, But I trust in nobody,—no!SONGS. 25 IV. £ieb’ Siefcdjett, leg’s §attbc§ett auf3 §etje tnctn. , my love,—lay your small hand on my heart, Hear, every second, a heat and a start! There dwells a carpenter,—evil is he,— Always at work on a coffin for me. He hammers by night, and he hammers by day; Long he has driven my sleep far away; Hammer, old carpenter, hammer your best! So that I quickly may go to my rest. Y. ©djone Sffitege meiner Seiben. J^OVELY cradle of my sorrow, Lovely tomb of peace to me; Lovely town, we part to-morrow,— And farewell I cry to thee! Sacred home,—you’ll see me never, Never more where she has strayed; Home, farewell!—we part forever, Where I first beheld the maid. Had there only been no meeting, Queen of hearts, with you, I vow, I should not be thus repeating That I feel so wretched now. I ne’er sought to win and wear you, And I asked not for your faith;26 SONG'S. But in peace to live, and near you, Where the breezes caught your breath. You yourself did force this parting, Bitter words I heard you speak; And with madness through me darting, All my heart is sore and weak. And with limbs both weak and weary, With my travelling staff I’ll go, Till the grave, all still, though dreary, Gives me rest in lands below. VI. SSatte, fratte, toilber ©djiffStnann. TXTAIT, oh, wait, impatient sailor! ^ Fast enough my footsteps stir; From two maidens I am parting,— From Europa, and from her. And may blood, in streams, burst from me Blood, in streams, come dim my sight! That with blood, and all hot burning, I my anguish down may write. Ah, my dearest!—why this mourning ? Shudderest thou my blood to see ? When all pale and heart a-bleeding, Years—long years—I stood by thee! Know’st thou not the ancient ballad Of the snake in Paradise,SONGS. 27 Who by evil gift of apples Drove our ancestor to vice ? Apples brought us every evil, Eve, with apples, brought us death; Eris brought the flames to Ilium,— Thou didst bring both flames and death. VII. SSetg’ tmb Sutgett fdjcm’it Jjetunter. JJILLS and towers are gazing downward In the mirror-gleaming Rhine, And my boat drives gayly onward, While the sun-rays round it shine. Calm I watch the wavelets stealing, Golden gleaming, as I glide; Calmly too awakes the feeling Which within my heart I hide. Gently greeting and assuring, Bright the river tempts me on; Well I know that face alluring! Death and night lie further down! Joy above, at heart beguiling,— Thou’rt my own love’s image, Flood! She too knows the art of smiling, She can seem as calm and good.28 SONGS. VIII. StitfangS tcottf tdj faft berjagen. T AT first was near despairing; Never hoped to endure as now, And at length the whole I’m bearing; Only, do not ask me how. IX. Sftofen, G^teffen unb gttttergolb. roses, with cypress, and gold leaf bright * Fain would I cover, lovely and light, This book of mine, like a coffin thin, And bury my songs like a corpse therein. And, oh, could I bury this love in repose! The flower of quiet on love’s grave grows: There it blooms, and is plucked when full and high; But mine will ne’er blossom till buried I lie. For here are the songs which so wildly rose, Wildly as Etna his lava throws; Up they burst from my soul’s abyss, Mad was their flame with its sparkle and hiss. Now they lie dumb as the dead in their shrouds, Now they stare coldly and white as the clouds ; * In allusion to the curious German custom of adorning the dead with leaf gold as well as flowers.SONGS. 29 Yet the glow from their ashes to life would leap, If the spirit of love should oyer them sweep. And feelings prophetic within me say That love’s spirit will melt o’er them yet some day, If this book should ever come to thy hand, Thou dearest love in a distant land. And then from the spell of song set free, The death-white letters shall look at thee; Look in thy beautiful eyes with prayer, And sorrow and love will be whispering there. I. THE MOURNER. Slffeit tljut eS i»e§ tnt Bergen. Jj^VERY tender heart shows feeling, When that pale boy comes again .• For the sorrow he’s concealing, In his face is written plain. And the pitying breezes greet him, Fanning cool his burning brow; And the once proud girls who meet him Kindly would console him. now. From the cities’ roar and bustle, Now he seeks the forest bounds; Merrily the green leaves rustle, Merrily the bird-song sounds. But the song soon has an ending: Sadly rustle leaf and tree When, all slowly woodward tending, The pale, mournful boy they see. 30EOMANCES. 31 II. THE MOUNTAIN ECHO. ©in Sieiter butt§ b«3 Sergifyal gte^t, A EIDER through the valley passed, ^ And sang a mournful stave,— “And ride I hence to my true love’s arms, Or to a gloomy grave ?” The rocks an echo gave: “A gloomy grave!” And onward rode the cavalier, And still his sighs increase; “So I must away to an early grave! Well, then,—-the grave hath peace.” The echo would not cease: “The grave hath peace.” And from the rider’s care-worn cheek A single tear there fell; “And if only the grave has peace for me, Why, then,—in the grave all’s well!” The echo gave a knell,— “ In the grave all’s well!” III. TWO BROTHERS. £)6en auf ber 23erge3fpt|e. 0N yon mountain-summit dreaming, Wrapped in night, dim towers lie;32 ROMANCES. In the valley lights are gleaming, Shining swords in combat fly. Those are brothers who are fighting; Grim the strife as fury’s brand: Why are brothers’ quarrels righting With the rapier in the hand ? Countess Laura’s bright eyes burning Lit the brothers’ rage, ’tis said. Both were drunk with love, and burning Bor the noble, lovely maid. But for whom has she decided ? Whither turns her heart ? but now All debate is still divided,— Sword, flash out!—decide it thou! Madly now they fight despairing, Cut on cut with crashing might; But beware, ye blades so daring! Devilish spells flit round by night! Woe, oh, woe! each cruel brother! Woe! thou bloody vale of ill! Each leaps headlong at the other, Dying on the other’s steel! Centuries like mists have faded, Many an ancient race is flown; Still in the mountain’s darkest shadow Sad the empty tower looks down.ROMANCES. 33 But by night, deep in the valley, When dim forms sweep strangely round, Forth to fight the brothers sally When they hear the midnight sound. IV. POOR PETER. 1. Set £att§ tmb bte Orete ian$ett Return. JACK and his Maggie go dancing around, Shouting like merry mad creatures; Peter is standing all dumb on the ground, Whiter than chalk are his features. Jack and his Maggie are bridegroom and bride, Their gay wedding-garments displaying; Peter is gnawing his nails all aside, And round in his working-dress straying. Peter speaks slowly and sad from his heart, As he sees how the fond couple go it; ‘Ah! if I were not just a little too smart, I should do myself mischief,—I know it!” 2. gn Weiner 23tu.fi ba ftiji etn 2Be§. J^EEP in my breast’s a pain alway, Until my breast seems bursting; ‘ md where I stay, or where I stray, It’s driving me and thrusting.34 KOMANCES. It drives me to the girl I prize, As if I thought she’d cure it; But when I look her in the eyes, I go,—and still endure it. I climb away to the mountain-top, Where no man hears me sighing; And then, when still up there I stop,— Stop still,—and go to crying. 3. Set crone $etet hxmft botfcei. POOR Peter wanders, tottering, by, Pale as a corpse, and slow and shy; And those who see him in the street, Amazed, half check their rapid feet. Girls whisper in each other’s ear, “ He’s risen from the grave, it’s clear.” My gentle girls, you’re wrong, I know: He’s hastening to the grave below. He’s lost his love, and all seems dim; The grave’s the proper place for him,—* The fittest place his head to lay, And slumber till the judgment-day. ROMANCES. 35 Y. SONG OF THE PRISONER. TO meine ©rofcmuiter bie Sife be$e*t. ^OLKS said, when my granny Eliza bewitched, She must burn for her horrid transgression; Mmch ink from his pen the old magistrate pitched, But he could not extort a confession. tnd when in the kettle my granny was thrown, She yelled death and murder while dying; hid when the black smoke all around us was blown, As a rayen she rose and went flying. -little black grandmother feathered so well, Oh, come to the tower where I’m sitting; ring cakes and bring cheese to me here in the cell, Through the iron-barred window flitting. ttle black grandmother feathered and wise, Just give my aunt a warning; est she should come fluttering and pick out my eyes When I merrily swing in the morning. VI. THE GRENADIERS. Stodj granfreidj jogen jtuei ©renabter. 0 the land of France went two grenadiers, From a Russian prison returning; they hung down their heads on the German fron- tiers, e news from their fatherland learning.36 ROMANCES. For there they both heard the sorrowful tale That France was by fortune forsaken ; That her mighty army was scattered like hail, And the Emperor, the Emperor taken. 1 Then there wept together the grenadiers, The sorrowful story learning; And one said, “Oh, woe!” as the news he hears, “How I feel my old wound burning!” i The other said, “ The song is sung, And I wish that we both were dying! But at home I’ve a wife and a child—they’re young- On me, and me only, relying.” “ Oh, what is a wife or a child to me ? Beeper wants all my spirit have shaken: Let them beg, let them beg, should they hungry he My Emperor, my Emperor taken! “ But I beg you, brother, if by chance You soon shall see me dying, Then take my corpse with you back to France, Let it ever in France be lying. “The cross of honor with crimson band Shall rest on my heart as it bound me; Give me my musket in my hand, And buckle my sword around me. “And there I will lie and listen still, In my sentry-coffin staying, Till I feel the thundering cannon’s thrill, And horses trampling and neighing.F ROMANCES. j EmPeror wil1 rid®. well over my grave, Mid sabres bright slashing and smiting • •nd I'll rise all weaponed up out of my grave,- For the Emperor, the Emperor fighting.”* VII. THE MESSAGE. 2»em flnedjt! fie!)’ auf unb faille fdjneir. “jV^OW rise, my squire, and saddle quick, Ride fast o’er lea and lands, Through greenwood fair and field, to where King Duncan’s castle stands. “Then slip into the stall, and wait Till thou some groom hast spied; And ask for me, ‘ Say, who may be Of Duncan’s daughters bride V "And should he say, 'The brown girl weds,' then bring the news in haste; But if he says, ‘The light-haired maid,’ You need not ride so fast. Then go to Master Ropemakei*, And buy for me a cord; Bide slowly back, and bring it me, And never speak a word.” he best translation of this lyric whic] >f the Rev. W. H. Furness, given in Philadelphia: Hazard, 1860. have met with is Gems of German C38 ROMANCES. VIII. i TAKING HOME THE BRIDE. 3te SJlittevnadjt jog ttaljer fdjon; Sjtt ftummet lag Bafctylcn. J^JIDNIGHT came slowly sweeping on; In silent rest lay Babylon. But in the royal castle high Red torches gleam and courtiers cry. Belshazzar there in kingly hall Is holding kingly festival. The vassals sat in glittering line, And emptied the goblets with glowing winnj The goblets rattle, the choruses swell, And it pleased the stiff-necked monarch wellEOMANCES. 45 la the monarch’s cheeks a wild fire glowed, And the wine awoke his daring mood, And, onward still by his madness spurred, He blasphemes the Lobd with a sinM word, And he brazenly boasts, blaspheming wild, While the servile courtiers cheered and smiled. Quick the king spoke, while his proud glance burned, Quickly the servant went and returned. He bore on his head the vessels of gold, Of Jehovah’s temple the plunder bold. With daring hand, in his frenzy grim, The king seized a beaker and filled to the brim, And drained to the dregs the sacred cup, And foaming he cried, as he drank it up, “Jehovah, eternal scorn I own To thee. ^ I am monarch of Babylon.” Scarce had the terrible blasphemy rolled Prom his lips, ere the monarch at heart was cold, The yelling laughter was hushed, and all Was still as death in the royal hall. And see 1 and see! on the white wall high The form of a hand went slowly by, And wrote,-—and wrote, on the broad wall,white, Letters of fire, and vanished in night.48 BOMAHCES. Pale as death, with a steady stare, And with trembling knees, the king sat there. The horde of slaves sat shuddering chill * No word they spoke, but were deathlike still. The M&gians came, but of them all, None could read the flame-script on the wall. But that same night, in all his pride, By the hands of his servants Belshazzar died. XI. THE MINNESINGERS. $u btm ©ettgefange fdjreittn, fJIO the strife of song forth wending See the Minnesingers bent; Ah! there is a strange contending, And a right strange tournament t Foaming fahtasis wild rearing Is the Minnesinger’s steed; Art is all the shield he’s hearing, And his word his sword indeed! On the gay-decked terrace flaunting, Lovely dames look gayly down; But the right one still is wanting, And the proper laurel-crown. Other warriors when springing In the tourney-lists are sound,KOMANCES. 47 But we minstrel-knights come bringing I Here with us our deadliest wound. hid he there from whom comes springing Blood of songs from the heart’s deeps, le is victor,—he is bringing Best of praise to loveliest lips. XII. LOOKING FROM THE WINDOW. Set fcteid)e §etntid) gittg tootbet. pALE Henry caught fair Hedwig’s eye; She never dreamed he’d hear it, So said, as he went walking by, “He’s white as any spirit!” Then Henry raised his glance above, Quite longingly,—or near it; It made fair Hedwig sigh for love, And pale as any spirit. From window-gazing, days she stayed, I Till blood no more could hear it; So, now she sleeps by him in bed, Like any girl of spirit. XIII. THE WOUNDED KNIGHT. Ijjcfj Vt>etf3 erne alte J?uttbe. KNOW a mournful reading Of a tale no longer new,48 EOMAFCES. How a knight in love lies bleeding For a love no longer true. Now he must deem ungrateful The one who holds his heart, And he must hold as hateful His love, with bitter smart. He would fain in the lists go riding, And call forth the knights to strife : “ Let any my love deriding Come answer the charge with his life Then no answer will be given, Save by his own deep smart; So his lance-point must be driven At his own accusing heart. XIV. THE VOYAGE. 3<3> ftcmb geleljnet an ben Sftaft, Unb ja^lte jebe 2Bette. J COUNTED every falling wave, While leaning on the mast: Adieu, my own dear fatherland! My ship is sailing fast. I sailed before my dear love’s house, Bright gleamed each window-pane; There is no sign for me to-night, I look and look in vain.ROMANCES. 49 Keep from my eyes, ye bitter tears, Lest I too dimly see! And thou, weak heart,—oh, do not break, la this stem agony! XV. THE BALLAD OF KUE. $txt teifctf tw punen SBalfe. DIB Ulrich ia the green wood rides, The merry leaves* rustle hearing; A lovely form before him glides, Through distant branches peering. The young knight says, 441 know full well ! That form all blooming, glowing; In crowded street, in lonely dell, It Site where’er I’m going. | u Two roses are yon rosy lips, a So fresh and fair I’ve seen them; Yet many a hateful word oft slips Bight treacherously between them. ' 44 And so that mouth, so soft and sly, A rose-tree is recalling, Where poisonous serpents, wondrous sly, ’Neath dark-green leaves are crawling. 11 The dimples in her cheeks engraved, In wondrous lovely fashion, Are graves indeed, where as I raved I fell through headlong passion.50 EGMAECES. “ And those bright locks of flowing hair, Which float in dreams around me, Those are the nets so wondrous fair Wherewith the devil bound me. “ And those deep eyes of heavenly blue As though calm fountains drowned them, I deemed them heaven’s own gates so true, The gates of hell I found them.” Sir Ulrich through the green wood rides, Leaves rustle grimly o’er him; A second form afar there glides, So pale and sad, before him. The young knight says, “ 0 mother dear! Whose mother-love vrould not leave me, Though I with deed and word of fear So long and bitterly grieved thee. “ Could I dry those weeping eyes so meek With the burning fire of sorrow, And could I, to redden that pale white cheek, The blood from my own heart borrow!” Sir Ulrich rides the forest bound, Barker the wood is growing; Strange voices all are rising round, The night-wind whispering, flowing. The young knight hears his own sad words, Kepeated, echo o’er him; That was the mocking wild-wood birds, Who chirruped and sang before him.ROMANCES. 51. iir Ulrich, on his way doth wend, The Ballad of Rue still singing, Hid when he has sung it to an end, You may hear him again beginning. XVI. TO A LADY SINGER, AS SHE SANG AN OLD BALLAD. gd) bente nod) bet ^aubextooden, [ SSte fie juerft mein 2luge fafy! IT^VEN now, as when I first beheld her,. Her magic seems my soul to melt! [How full of love was all her singing, o sweetly in my heart deep ringing! 'ow tears into my eyes came springing,— nd yet I knew not how I felt. . dream came gently stealing o’er me; .s though once more a happy child; still sat by the small lamp’s gleaming, n mother’s dear, kind room a-dreaming, leading a tale with wonders teeming, Virile dark without the storm blew wild. L real life stole o’er the story, )ld knights came rising from the grave; H ftoncesvalles was gallant fighting! )n rode brave Roland, death inviting ; Sold knights around him sternly smiting rnd Ganelon,—alas!—the knave! I 552 ROMANCES. By him to sad death-sleep came Boland, Gasping in blood, at life’s extreme. Scarce could his bugle-notes far pealing Reach Charlemagne o’er wide leagues steal Now he lies dead,—devoid of feeling;— And with him dies away my dream. I Then came a loud bewildering clamor, Away, away the visions sweep; The legend vanished mid a rapping, 1 The audience their hands were clapping, And loud their cries of brava! snapping; The lovely singer courtsied deep. XVII. SONG OF THE DUCATS. ®ieine gitlbenen SDxUatert, ©agt, too feib U)t fyingerattjen? Q MY golden ducats I say, Whither are you gone away ? Are ye with the golden fishes Who in the river gayly thriving Up go leaping, down go diving ? Are ye with the golden flowers Which on the green vale, sweet to view, Glitter clear in morning dew ? Are ye with the golden birdlings Which, through sun-rays web-like twining Sweeping in the blue go shining?ROMANCES. 53 Are ye with the golden planets, To the constellations given, Smiling every night from heaven ? Ah, my glittering ducats golden, In the waves ye do not swim, On the greensward do not gleam, In bine air ye do not sweep, Nor glittering smile from heaven deep ; For my creditors*—good cause !—• Hold you tightly in their claws. XVXII. DIALOGUE ON THE PADEBBOBN HEATH. $Htfi £su We fenten Zone! u TXEAB’ST thou not far music ringing, Yiol sweet, and organ sounding? Many a lovely form is springing In yon elf-dance flitting, bounding/’ * Wltim Staicfcac?, troun! J&alten in ifyren “ManicMerAt the German universities creditors or duns are termed Manichseans, after the well-known sect of that name. The term of reproach was evidently borrowed at an early age, when much was said in theological lectures against heretics. The student legend is that the Maniehaaans were Persian Magi, who were importunate in collecting the money due them for exercis- ing their art, fclc 50knt$aer immer ttopfett, 3$ verriegte meine €tuben$itr1; £>er ©eftonf bon fdtfym SBiebebopfen $ommt ten 23urf<$en ganj bertenfeh far." {Nots by Translator.]5i ROMANCES. How, my friend ? your mind must wander, Or my hearing’s strangely blunted: I can hear no fiddling yonder; Only swin© which just now grunted*” u llear’st thou not the bugle pealing ? Hunters blithe through greenwood straying? Lambs I see o’er meadows stealing, Shepherds on their reed pipes playing,” 14Ah, my friend, your ears are humming: There’s no pipe or bugle pealing; I but see a swineherd coming, And before him pigs a-squealing.” '* Hear’st thou not melodious measure, As a strife of voices singing? Angels hear it, rapt in pleasure, Beating time on pinions swinging.” That which seemed to you so pleasant Was no heavenly minstrels’ striving; Friend, it’s just a little peasant Singing as his geese he’s driving!” “ Hear’st thou church-bells as if talking, Sweetly, strangely, wildly Bowing? See the congregation walking, Calmly to the chapel going !** “Ah, my friend, it’s but the tinkling From the distant cow-bells given, As the kine, by starlight twinkling, Slowly to their stalls are driven.”ROMANCES. 55 ee yon fluttering veil,—oh, wonder! 5>ee,—a beckoning form advances ! s my loved one standing yonder, Tearful sorrow in her glances!” Ur, my friend, she who approaches Cs Old' Liz, from the wood’s shadow; le and tottering on her crutches, 3he goes limping towards the meadow.” imile, dear friend, that so I borrow Forms for such fantastic seeming: i that all my heart’s deep sorrow Thou couldst turn to idle dreaming!” XIX. LIFE-GREETING. [an album-leaf.] S <£ine grofce Scmbftraf}’ ift unfete (?rb\ PHIS earth of ours is a great highway, [ We mortals are passengers greeting; fe hurry on horseback or foot all day, jLike runners or couriers fleeting. ! ■e pass each other, we nod and we twist, jPfaving handkerchiefs from the wagon; had gladly embraced or had gladly kissed, But the horses their loads must drag on.56 ROMANCES. We scarce at one station each other knew Alexander, dear prince and brother, Ere loud the postilion his bugle blew, And blew us away from each other. XX. NO, INDEED! SSBenn bet grilling Jontmt mit bent ©onnenfc^etn. T^HEN spring is coming with sun-rays brigj Budding and blooming each floweret ere While the moon o’er her course of glory swe And the stars swim after in floods of light; When the poet sees two sweet eyes aglow, From his deepest soul the songs out-flow• But songs and stars and pleasant flowers, And eyes and moon-gleams and sunny hours, Much as this stuff may please us all, Don’t go far to make up this earthly ball. TO A. W. VON SCHLEGEL. Reift^ufc, mit ®iumc« *ei<$ ttctjletd, TN wide-hooped dress and flowers of gaudy bright- ness, With well-rouged cheeks, and beauty-spots, well- scented, In pointed shoes with broidery ornamented, With high head-dress, and laced to wasp-like tight- ness, Bo seemed the Mock-Muse, in rococo fashion, Seeking thy warm embraces when she saw thee; But from her path thou quickly didst withdraw thee, And wandered on, driven by dreaming passion. In the wild waste a tower thou didst discover, And, like a fair white statue in its keeping, A lovely maid in magic spells lay sleeping; But the charm vanished at thy kiss, 0 rover! The real German muse woke to her lover, And sank into thy arms, with rapture weeping. fitm SOSTSHETSL TO MY MOTHER, B. HEINE, VOIf GELDERF. I. 34 Kit*# $ei»3$ni, btn tt$>i |s4 §n tegm* JT is my wont my head right high to carry, Impatiently the slightest crosses bearing: If the Mug's self into my eyes were staring, My gaze upon his own as long would tarry. But, mother dear, I do confess before you, Whatever puffed-up pride comes on me stealing, In your sweet presence I do lose that feeling, And then a trembling diffidence falls o'er me: Is it your soul with mine all strangely blending, Your higher soul all things before it bending, In lightning gleams upwards to heaven tending? Does memory torture me because I proved you With many a deed which once so sadly moved you, Moved that dear heart which ever dearly loved me ? II. 3m tottett agadjjt t4 S>*4 fcetlaffett. F wild delusion from thy side once turning, I wished to roam at will the whole world over; I wished to see if love would greet the rover, And quench with Love the Love within me burning. Through every street I sought, false Hope beguiling, At every gate I stretched my hands in sorrow; Not the least love-gift could I beg or borrow,— They only gave me hate, cold hate, while smiling.isO'Sns'isTs* 59 Bo ever on I went for Lot©, and ever, And still for Love, yet Love approached me never, And so turned home again, all sick in sorrow. Then thou didst come to me with eyes all beaming; And, oh, what was it in those dear eyes gleaming But the sweet longed-for Love I could not borrow ? t TO EL S. mit 14 ®e{* ®&$Ceia osfgcf^Tsgftt. T OPED thy book in haate, and, lo, before me There strangely swept familiar forms long banished, The golden pictures which for years had vanished, That in my boyhood’s dreams and days swept o’er me. Again I see, proudly to heaven up-raying, The good cathedral, built by faith availing,— By German faith,'—and hear a sweet love-wailing Amid the tones of bells and organ playing. I see right well, too, on the temple tripping, The daring dwarfs go hammering and shaking, The lovely tracery and Bower-work breaking; Bat though men work for aye, the old oak stripping, Of all their verdant spoil his limbs bereaving, When Die spring comes, afresh ye’ll find him leaving.60 SOCKETS. FRESCO BONNETS TO CHRISTIAN SETHE. 1. 3<§ ntH, idj remote nx$k ben Ulofoen. J DANCE not with, I worship not, that rabbi© Who are all gold without, within all sand; I’m not urbane when a knave holds out his hand, Who secretly my name with filth would dabble; Nor do I bow to those fair dames who drabble Their names with pride through all the Bhame i* the land. I drag no burdens when the mob hath spanned Its idol’s chariot with acclaiming gabble. I know the oak must on the ground be lying, While the brook-reed once bent goes upward flying, After the storm, elastic as before. And yet what is the reed when all is o’er ? How lucky! first as cane it serves some dandy, Then to dust clothes his boot-black finds it handy. 2. @leb‘ hU S«**>’ — tefj toil fefcfc m&iihm. rjJVE me that mask,—for masked I’ll cross the border Of Rascaldom, that rascals with me walking, Who splendidly “in character" go stalking, May not imagine I am of their order. Of vulgar words and modes I’ll be recorder, Like the vile mob, in their own language talking; Bright gems of wit no more will I go hawking, Such as each fool now sports in gay disorder.BOHJTETS. 61 So through the great masked ball I will go bounding Mid German knights, monks, monarchs high re- spected, Greeted by harlequins,-—by none detected,— Their swords of lath upon my jacket sounding. And there’s the joke. If off my mask were taken, 'With what still horror would the pack be shaken! 3. t«$e ob btn Steffen. T 0UDLY I laugh at the dry, soulless flunkey ^ Who stares around him with his goat-grimaces; I laugh at the tyros, too, with sober faces, Snuffling and piping ever on their one key; I laugh, too, at the over-learned monkey, Who vaunts himself a judge of all the graces ; I laugh at the coward, iron-headed donkey, Who threatens poisoned steel, and all disgraces 1 When Fortune’s seven fair gifts are gone, and after We see how Fate’s grim threatening finger quivers, The last dear fragments mined round us lying, And when the very heart within is dying, Dying and hacked and torn to wretched shivers, What then remains save broad and bitter laughter ? 4. 3m £tm fjjudft rnit tin MSfyxfyn ttimbttfeitt* TUTY brain is haunted by a legend rare, And in the tale a wondrous ballad rings, And in the song there lives and blooms and springs A wondrous winsome, little maiden fair.62 SOHHEm And the maid with her a small heart, too, brings • But ah, that heart! no love is glowing there; In that cold soul, frosty beyond compare, Grim Pride alone, or more than Pride, still sings; Hear how it hums in my head, this noisy wonder! How my brain beats, as though ’twould rend my forehead! And how the maiden titters, as if playing! I only fear my head may burst asunder; And, oh!—but then the very thought is horrid,— What if my mind from its beaten track went straying! fitter, Y»e%tnut$tod<$er &fce»bfismb«. still soft evening hours are sadly going, And long-forgotten songs blend with my dreaming, And tears adown my cheeks again are streaming, And from my old heart's wound the blood comes hewing, And when, as in a magic mirror gleaming, I see heb form slowly to likeness growing, In a red bodice at her table sewing, All in her happy sphere so silent seeming,— When suddenly she from her chair upspringing Cuts from her locks the loveliest of tresses, And gives it me,—the rapture half distresses; But, oh, the devil comes, his torture bringing; From those fair hairs a binding rope he’s twisted, And now for years has dragged me as he listed.SONFETS. 63 6. toot clnem SHtfj istebtt&lidfte. ** ^^jTHEN I saw thee again in last year’s meeting, Thou didst not kiss a welcome on that day!” As I said this, my love, in pretty play, With sweetest kiss gave to my lips a greeting, Then plucked—an instant from my side retreating— A myrtle-twig which in the window lay: “Take this,” she said, “plant it without delay, And place a glass on it,”—Oh, love-gift fleeting 1 ’Twas all long, long ago. The twig is dead; For years I have not seen the maid I wooed; And yet the kiss burns wildly in my head; And lately from afar it drove me on To where she dwells. Before the house I stood, The whole night long, nor left till morning shone. 7. fiftt £)t$, mein §?eunb, fcos grtmmen $*ttfel8fta&e*w ! JJEWARE, my friend, of devilish grins and glaring, | Yet worse are the soft smiles of angel-hussies; One offered me of late the sweetest busses, But when she came I felt sharp claws and daring. Beware, too, of old cats, spitting and swearing; And yet much worse are snow-white tender pussies: I caught one late for a pet, with cunning ruses, But soon my Fussy at my heart was tearing. 0 honey hussy,—beautiful offender!64 sosxsis. How could thy glances for my love so angle ? How could thy pretty paws my heart so mangle? 0 pussy-Katrine’s pretty paws so tender* Oh, I would kiss thee, love, without receding, Though all the while my heart were clawed and bleeding. $u faVH stl<$ eft im mil i«tea ^lingefo. }BT seen me oft with knaves in alterca- tion, With puppies spectacled and tabbies painted, Who my good name have any thing but sainted, ' Or rather sought to sink it to damnation. 1 Thou saw’st me bored by pedants* affectation, How fools their caps and bells came round me rattling, ' How poisonous serpents round my heart were battling, And how it bled till courage well-nigh Mated. But thou wert ever firm, like a great tower; Thy head my beacon was in the stormy hour, Thy trusty heart a haven safe and sure; ’Tis true, wild storms around that port are hying, And few the ships within its shelter lying, But he who once is there may rest secure.SOHSFETSL m 9, S# fese!tt«t, fcocf» l<£ form el ni<$e J WOULD fee weeping, yet I cannot weep; I fain would bravely far on high go springing, And yet can not; to the ground I most be clinging, While serpents vile around me hiss and creep; And fain would I over them all go'sweep, That light of life, my love, to glory bringing, In her all-blessed breath mj own life dinging. It cannot be: my heart is rent too deep; And from the wounds I feel all freely flowing My hot HfeVbloodL I faint in earth’s damp mea- dows; ’Tis dark,-—and darker,—as in nightmare-trances, And silent shuddering I cast my glances To the far realm of Clouds, where quiet shadows Their soft dim arms with love are round me throw- ing.PROLOGUE, & wot 'mal cm mttcx, tri&fdig unfe fhntrau fJHERE once was a knight, sad and silent was he, With pale cheeks, and eyeballs deep buried, Who went awkwardly stumbling with tottering knee, In dreams or in brown studies buried. So wooden, so clumsy, of grace all bereft, The flowers and the maidens all laughed right and left When past them he blundering hurried. Oft he sat in the gloomiest corner at home, Before men he was silent and fluttered, And yearned with stretched arms, as for some one to come, Yet scarcely a syllable muttered; But when midnight had fallen o’er the sorrowful man, A strange musical ringing and singing began, And a tapping with whispering soft uttered. mLTBICAL DfTERMEZZO. 67 And in gently gliding, Ms love met his sight, In soft rustling foam-garments gleaming, Blowing and glowing like rose-leaves in light, Her veil with fair star-jewels beaming; Gold ringlets at will round her slender form play, Her eyes greet his own, and he owns their sweet sway: They embrace,—he no longer is dreaming. With love-might he holds her, his fears are all fled, Bight bravely the Bull One is glowing; The Breamer awakes, and the Pale One is red, And the Timid a bold one is growing. But now by his love he is roguishly mocked; His head she has covered and merrily locked With her diamond-starred, white veil long-flowing. In a crystalline palace, deep under the sea, The good knight enchanted is straying; He stares in wild wonder, and scarcely can see, For the splendor and glory bright raying. But the Nixie in love holds him fast to her side, The knight is a bridegroom, the Nixie is bride, And her maidens the cithern are playing. They’re playing and singing, and singing so well, Ah I who in that wild dance is fleetest? The knight is half giddy, his heart seems to swell, And more firmly he clings to the Sweetest, When sudden a darkness o*er all seems to come, And the good knight again site so lonely at home In his close, little, poetVchamber! 63ltei€AX i mwmmm. 1. 3m Wm&t ftoi. TN the wondrous lovely month of May, When all the buds were blowing, All in my heart one morning I felt that Love was Sowing. All in the loveliest month, in May, When bird-pipes all were going, I went to her, confessing The deep love in me growing. 2. SuS tneitttn fttiefjm Stel blu^enb* Stmnm better. TTP from my tears are growing Fair flowers in many vales, And from my sighs go flying A choir of nightingales, And if thou dost love me, darling, I will give thee all the flowers, And the nightingales at thy window Shall sing through summer hours. a. Die ftcfe, bte 2X1h, bit Sfcabe, fcie ©otmc.LYRICAL IBIJBBMBZZO. 69 Thou lov’st them no more,—for her only thou caresi, The rarest, the fairest, the purest, the dearest; She only, fount of ail love flowing. Is the dove and the sun, rose and lily sweet growing. sSentt «5j fen SDcint Stagm [tty* Ty^HENE’ER into thine eyes I see, * All pain and sorrow fly from me; But when again I kiss thy mouth, Then I am strong and full of youth. And when I lean upon thy breast, The joys of heaven in me rest; But when thou gayest, “I love thee!” Then I must weep, and bitterly. 5. Erin fo lid imb f$?n. rPHAT face which ever fair did seem I saw but lately in a dream, Sweet as if clad in angel’s veil, And yet so pale, so sadly pale. Thy lips alone are red to-night; But Death ere long must kiss them white, And quenched will be the rays divine Which in thy gentle glances shine.70 LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 6. 2e$n’ Seine SBang’ an meine 2Bang\ /~\TL, lay thy cheek against my cheek, Let the tears in one stream go flowin And to my heart press firm thy heart, Let the flames be together glowing! And when the stream of onr tears shall have fl On that wild fire hotly burning, And when my arms round thee are thrown, I shall die for pure love-yearning. 7. 3<3j nritt meine ©eele iaudjen. T WILL pour all my soul’s deep feeling In the cup of the lily, like wine; And the lily shall breathe, soft pealing, A lay of the loved one mine. The song shall go trembling and thrilling With all that kiss’s power, The kiss which she gave so willing In the tenderest, sweetest hour. (S3 fteljen unfcetoeglidj Sie ©tetne in bet §olj', 2SteI Saufenb Saijt’, unb flatten ©id) an mit 8tebe3tt>e$. rpHE stars have stood unmoving Thousands of years above,lyrical intermezzo. 71 Each gazing on the other In the fond pain of love. They speak a copious language, The sweetest ever heard ; Yet none of all the linguists Can understand a word. ^ x et I right well have learned it, Through every tense and case; And the grammar of my study Was my heart s own dearest’s face. 9. 2*uf ftritgeln fees (SefattgeS. N the wings of song far sweeping, Heart’s dearest, with me thou’lt go \.way where the Ganges is creeping: Its loveliest garden I know,— L garden where roses are burning In the moonlight all silent there; here the lotus-flowers are yearning For their sister beloved and fair. he violets titter, caressing, } Piping up as the planets appear, Ajnd the roses, their warm love confessing, Whisper words, soft-perfumed, to each ear. A/nd, gracefully lurking or leaping, L/The gentle gazelles come roundLYRICAL INTERMEZZO. While afar, deep rushing and sweeping, The waves of the. Ganges sound. We’ll lie there, in slumber sinking ’Neath the palm-trees by the stream, Rapture and rest deep drinking, Dreaming the happiest dream. 10. Sic SotoSMume angftigt ©id) too* bie ©ottnc Sfhadjt, Rub mit gefentiem £aupte Qhrtoattet fie bie 9lad)t. miTE lotus-blossom suffers In the sun’s splendid light; And, with her head declining, She is waiting for the night. The moon is her own lover ; He wakes her with his rays, And, her flower-face unveiling, She sweetly meets his gaze. She glows and blows, white-beaming, Looks silent on high again, Perfuming, and weeping, and trembling, In love, and love’s sweet pain* * She blooms, and glows, and glistens, And gazes calmly above; She sighs, and weeps, and trembles j Erom love and the pain of love. ) ■ Translated by “H. KjLYRICAL IBTERMEZZO. *?3 H. 3m im fdjBnen ©item*, TN the Rhine, in the glorious river, Reflected as waves roll on, With its high cathedral, ever Lies the holy, great Cologne. In that church a picture o’er me Hangs, on golden leather traced; Often it has shone before me Like a light in life’s dark waste, Angels and flowers tremble In joy round our Lady above; Her eyes, lips, and cheeks resemble Exactly the face of my love, 12. Sht fiefcft mt<§ ni$t, Ue&ffc mi$ nl$t TrOtF love me not, you love me not; With that I’m not tormented; For I am happy every jot On you to gaze contented. ; You hate me, oh, you’re hating me; Such is your red mouth’s story; Oh, hold it out to kisses free, . And^I shall pant in glory,LYKIC4L ISTEUXmW. 13. ®u mi* lufcmfe f&t&tUt&r $*§m3 Sni twine in wiM rapture round me, ^ Fair woman beloved and warm, Till thy feet and arms have bound me And I’m wreathed with thy supple form! * * * * * She has twined with strength enraptured* Her folds are all round me thrown; And the fairest of shakes has captured The happiest Laocdon. 14. 0 f*to2xe tmfc fuff* mm /*\H, do not vow, but onlyjdss, For I no woman’s oath believe l Thy words are sweet, but sweeter is The kiss which I from thee receive! For that I have, in that I’ve faith; All words are idle mist and breath. * * * * * Oh, swear, my dearest,—for I think All true while panting on thy breast! When raptured in its charms I sink, I do believe—that I am blest; Believe that all eternally, And longer still, thou’lt love but me ILYEICAL ISTERMEZZO. 75 m Staf mdntx ^strjtiefcfien SCeuge&itt, TTPON my darling’s lovely eyes ^ Sweet canzonets I’ve written, And on that month I dearly prize The best of terze rime, And on those cheeks where rose-bloom lies A brave array of stanzas; And had she a heart as well as a head, Long ago a sonnet 1 on it had made. 16. mu WtU ift butnnt, fcie SSeli ijl fclittb. rpHE world’s a fool, the world is blind, X And grows simple to aggravation: It says of thee, dear—nay, never mind !- Then hast lost thy reputation! The world is stupid, the world is blind, And justice it never will do thee: It knows not how sweet are thy kisses kind, Or how rapture goes quivering through thee. 17. fiteBfte, foffft mil beitte fagen: gift Shi tttdjt eitt Srcramgebtlb’, in |SIcn ©ommettsigen Ku* fc«nt #itn fce$ qtsittt ? TYREAMY phantoms, fair and fleeting, From the poet’s brain oft runn LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. When the summer days are heating*.— Dearest, art thou such a one? S/ And—yet no. A mouth so smiling, Eyes where such a magic played, Such a dainty dear, beguiling Poet never yet hath made. 1 Vampires, basilisks, and terrors, Dragons which by lindens crawl, Monsters bred of lies and errors, Poets truly made them all. But that mouth where mischief dances, And thyself and winning face, And thy treacherous gentle glance^— Poet never dreamed such grace. 18. ©ie Me ffieUtttfdjaumgtfcetette. ' T IKE the foam-born of the waters, ^ Gleams my love in beauty’s pride; But that fairest of earth’s daughters Is a stranger’s chosen bride. Heart, keep patience; never lose it; Murmur not that thou’rt betrayed; Bear it, bear it, and excuse it To the lovely, stupid maid,LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 19. 3$ gxotfe nidjt, unb toemt baS §erj auct) Brtdjt. T WILL be patient, though my heart should break, “®" Thou love forever lost! no plaint I’ll make. But though thou glitteresfc in diamonds bright, There mils no gleam into thy heart’s deep night. I saw’ll in dreams, I knew it long ago; I saw Che night through thy heart’s chambers flow; I saw the snake which gnaws upon thy heart; I saw, Smy love, how wretched still thou art. * 20. 3k)ve, together we will wretched be! Unjtil death breaks the heart long sick with pain, j||Aove| together we will wretched be! I see the scorn which oft thy lip repeats, I see defiance flashing from thine eye, I see the pride which in thy bosom beats:— Yet thou art wretched, wretched e’en as I. Thy lips show agonies unseen around, And hidden tears in those bright eyes I see; Thy haughty bosom hides a secret wound: My love, my love, we both will wretched be!LYEIOAJL IFTEE2CEZZO. 78 21. Ski ift em gtetas unfe IgeSgm, XTIOL and flute are sounding, And trumpet-tones entwine; And in the bride-dance bounding Goes that heart’s love of mine. There is a ringing and groaning Of drums and trumpets deep; Between there’s a sobbing and moaning Of angels who, sorrowing, weep. 22. $aft £u gcmj trab gat fcttgeffctt. QO you have forgotten altogether That I held your heart so long in tether - Your heart so sweet and so false and so wee ? A sweeter and falser oile nowhere can be. And I ask of the love and long suffering whether You think how they pressed my heart together; I know not if love were greater than woe, But that both were too great for me well do I know! 23. Uttb toupten’i bie Stamen, ble Uemett, A® if the small flowers bat knew it, How deep are the wounds of my heart, Weeping with me they would rue it, To heal all my pain and smart.LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 79 Amd had the nightingales feeling , Of my weariness and grief, Their songs would come gayly pealing To give my pain relief. And if the stars in heaven My sufferings could know, Their light would soon he given To mitigate my woe. But none of them can know it; One only knows my pain ; And she who alone could do it Has rent my heart in twain. 24. ' SBcmxnt ftrtb bentt bie Sftofett fo Btafj ? WHI are the roses so pale of hue, Oh, tell me, dearest, why ? Why in the grass fresh bathed in dew Do the violets silent lie ? Why does the lark far-sailing fleet Sing with such wailing cries? And why from the sweet meadow-sweet Do corpse-like vapors rise ? And why does the sun on the meadow gleam With such a chilling gloom ? Why is the earth so gray and grim, And dismal as a tomb ?80 LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. Why am I myself so sad and lone, My dearest darling, say ? Oh, speak, my heart’s all-dearest one, Why didst thou turn away ? 25. 6te 'fyaben 3Mr btel Unb §aben biel getlagt. Q’ER me they much lamented, Of me harsh tales you’ve heard; But of what my soul tormented They never spoke a word. Their outcry was most uncivil; They shook their heads o’er my fall; They called me the very devil, And you believed it all! But what should have been the first thing Not one of them e’er guessed; The stupidest, worst, and curst thing I secretly hid ii, my breast. Ste Sinbc fctu^te, bte Sfaidjitgatt fang. rpHE lindens blossomed, the nightingale sung, The sun like a true friend smiled with the rest; You gave me a kiss, and your arm round me flung, And pressed me right close to your dear heaving breast.LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. SI The dead leaves were flying, the raven’s croak fell, The sun peeped out grim as if bent to displease; Then we gave to each other a frosty “farewell!” And you courteously courtsied the gracefullest “cheese.”* 27. 2Btr $aben »iel fiix etnanbex gefittjtt. WE ’YE had many a sympathetic thought, Without ever once from propriety straying; We never have quarrelled and never fought, Though “husband and wife” we once oft were playing. We have played together with merry jest, And tenderly kissed in embraces pressed, Until we at last, in childish fun, Played at hide-and-seek in wood and by river; And, ah! our hiding so well was done That we’ve hidden ourselves from each other forever. 2)u bliebeft mix txeu am langftert. rpo me thou wert true the longest, For me thou hast interceded; Thou gav’st me comfort when needed, When pain and need were strongest. Da fnbtefl Du ben tofftdjfteit82 LYKICAL INTERMEZZO. Food and drink thou hast brought me,, Thy money thou didst lend me, My linen thou didst mend me, And my travelling passport got me. God guard her I loved so blindly From cold and from heat forever! And may he punish her never For treating me so kindly! 29. ©te @tbe tvav fo lartge getjtg, ©a Ifam bet unb fie toatb fpenbaM, Unb SUIeS lacfyt unb jaud)$t, unb fteut fid), abet bin nid)t jum 2ad)en capabcl. Ipoo long had the earth kept back its treasure; At last May came with her riches spendible, And all things laughed and beamed with pleasure: I only remained of all unbendable. Flowers were sprouting, and May-bells ringing, The birds, in fact, seemed quite comprehendible; But I found no joy in their chat or singing, And I only wished it were all suspendible. Every one bored me with bow or salaam, They wondered to find me so very offendable,— All because my love is now styled Madame; And the matter, I fear, is not amendable.LYEICAL INTEEMEZZO. 83 30. Unb at8 td) Jo lartge, Jo lange gejaumt. as I so long, oh, so long delayed, When in distant lands I dreaming strayed, To wait, to my darling seemed distress: So she sewed for herself a wedding-dress, Till she finally held in her tender embraces The dullest of fools whom dulness disgraces. My darling is so sweet and mild, She is ever before me,—the gentle child; Her violet eyes and her rose-tinted skin, Glowing and blowing year out, year in. That I from such a love went straying, Was the stupidest trick I was e’er caught playing. 31. ®ie blauen SSetlcfjen bet Steugelein. Q’ER violets blue her eyelids fall, Ruddy roses her cheeks we call, Snow-white lilies her hands so small, Which bloom and bloom and never fade: Only the little heart is dead. 32. $>ie SBelt ift fo fc&on unb bet Jpinttnel fo felon. [E world is so fair, and the heaven so blue, And the breezes blowing so softly woo, 784 LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. And the flowers on the meadow come blooming anew, Glittering and gleaming in morning dew, , And I see men rejoicing at every view ; And yet I wonld fain in my grave be sleeping, By a dead love lying, up to her creeping. 33. SDieitt fiifjeiS 2ie&, toemt 3)u tnt ©tab’. MY own dear love, when in the tomb— The gloomy tomb—you’re sleeping, Then I unto your side will come, Up to you softly creeping. I’ll press you, caress you with kisses wild, My cold, silent, pale one, with yearning, Rejoicing and trembling and weeping till wild, Until I to a white corpse am turning. The dead may arise when midnight calls, In aerial dances flying; But we will keep still ’neath the tomb’s close walls, Embracing and silently lying. The dead will arise on the Judgment Day, To be saved, or from heaven to sever: We will give it no thought,—we’ll have nothing to say, But will slumber and slumber forever.LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 85 34. gin gidjtenbauttt fieijt etnfant. A PINE-TREE’S standing lonely In tlie North on a mountain’s brow, Nodding, with whitest cover, Wrapped up by the ice and snow. He’s dreaming of a palm-tree, Which, far in the Morning Land, Lonely and silent sorrows Mid burning rocks and sand.* 35. ©djorte, belle, golbne ©tetne. OVELY, gleaming, golden star, Greet my darling when afar! Say I’m always, since we part, Pale and true and sick at heart. * Few poems surpass this either in beauty and simplicity of form or depth of expression. That it was one of Heine’s own favorites may be inferred from his having placed a part of it as motto to “ The New Spring” in his “ Pictures of Travel.” The original is as follows:— <£ttt $id)tenfcctum fietyt einfcmt 9lorben auf fabler 31>tt fc&Iafert; mit toet§er 2)edEc Umptten tfjn (§t$ unb @d>nee. @r traurnt bon clner $alme, ®ie, fern tm SDhjrgenlanb, ©infant unb fdjtoeigenb trauert 2luf brennenber gelfenreanb.86 LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 36. 2tdj, toettn idj ttitt bcr ©kernel tear'. The Head speaks. AH ! could I but the footstool be On which my darling rests her feet! Although right hard she stamped on me, I would not murmur when they beat. The Heart speaks. Ah! if I might the cushion be Which she oft sticks her needles in! However she might torture me, I would not mind the pricks a pin. The Song speaks. Could I the piece of paper be Which she around a ringlet wreathes! Into her ear I’d whisper free The love which in me lives and breathes. 37. ©eit bie Stefcfte ftxxr enifetni. gINCE my sweetheart went away, I’ve forgotten to be gay; Many a jester made his joke, But I neither laughed nor spoke. Since her love no more I keep, I have also ceased to weep ; Though with woe my heart nigh breaks, Every tear my eye forsakes.LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 38. 2Cu8 marten cjrofjen ®dj met jest. jpROM the great pain of my spirit Come the little songs I am singing, Which, in music their flight upwinging, To her cold heart fluttering bear it. They fly to my love from her lover, Then return to me moaning and crying, Yet will not tell with their sighing What it is in her heart they discover. _ 39. gdj ?amt eS nicfyt bevgeffett. T00m ofiTl cannot bless tbee, Thou loved and loveliest one, That I did once possess thee, Body and soul mine own. And, oh, hut I would be merry If the body so sweet I might woo! The soul ye might take and bury; I have soul enough for two. I will cut my soul asunder, And breathe in a half to thee, And twine myself round thee so tender,- One body, one soul we will be.LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 40. in ©onniagStodElettt. rpOWN-SNOBBIES, their Sunday keeping, Go walking through wood and plain, Rejoicing, while kid-like they’re leaping, To gaze on “fair Nature” again. They stare with dull eyes gazing At all the romantic show, And their long ears deem amazing The sparrows, as on they go. But I carefully draw my curtain, And with black I hang my wall ; E’en to-day my ghosts, I’m certain, Will pay me a morning call. The old love comes gently sweeping Afar from the land of death ; She seats herself by me, weeping, And my heart grows soft in her breath. 41. Wie $afcen mid) ficqtialei. IJVHEY tortured me completely, Goading at fearful rate, Some with the love they bore me, And others with their hate.LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 95 In my glass they poured their poison,— Yes, poisoned the bread I ate,— Some with the love they bore me, And others with their hate. But she who mostly tortured With sorrow my whole soul moved: By her I was never hated, By her I was never loved.* 52. @3 Uegt bet Jjetfce ©emmet. fJTHE ruddy rays of summer Upon thy cheeks now fall; But, oh I the frosts of winter Are in thy heart so small. * This poem was subsequently parodied by Heine himself, as follows :— They ennuyeed me sadly, And bored me, as you may see, Some of them with their prose, And some with their poesy. They shocked my ears most sadly, In endless disharmony, Some of them with their prose, And some with their poesy. But those who with their scribbling Tried me the most the while Wrote neither in good poetic Nor in good prosaic style.96 LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. Some day there’ll be a change, love, A change in every part! The winter ’ll be on the cheeks, love, The summer in your heart. 53. QFTEN when two are parting, Each grasps a hand as friend; And then begins a weeping And a sighing without end. We did not sigh when parting ; No tears between us fell; The weeping and the sighing Came after our farewell. 54. <©te fafeett uttb tranfen am £§eetifdj. feelings refined and poetic, They talked, o’er their teacups, of love: The gentlemen all were aesthetic, The ladies, all easy to move. “Our love should all be platonic,’* The dry old Hofrath cried; His lusty dame’s smile was ironic, And yet from her heart she sighed.LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 97 Like an oracle spoke the parson:— “If in love too far we go, It is bad for the constitution.” Young lady lisped out, “Why so?” “Love!—ah, love is a passion,” Said the countess, in tenderest tone, And gave, in her tenderest fashion, A cup to the Herr Baron. There was still a place at the table: You should have been there, my dove, To give us, as well as you’re able, Your experience in love. 55. SSergiftet (tub rttetne Stebet, S5He fount’ eS cut beta fein? ly/TY songs are full of poison:— How could it different be ? Since thou’st been pouring poison O’er the bloom of life for me. My songs are full of poison ;— And poisoned they well may be: I bear in my heart many serpents, And with them, beloved, thee.98 LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 56. Win trSumie nriebet bet alte £raum. rp HE dream of old came over me: ’Twas May night by the river: We sat beneath the linden-tree And swore to be true forever. A swearing by one, a swearing by both, Kissing, cooing, and all, to delight me; And, to make me remember thy joy and my oath, In thy rapture thou deeply didst bite me. Oh, biting love with eyes of light! Why pass all rules unheeded ? To swear was regular and right, The biting was not needed. 57. 3<$ fte$' auf be3 SergeS Unb leer be fentimental. J BTAND upon a mountain, Singing sentimental rhymes. “ Oh that I were a birdling 1” I sigh a thousand times. And if I were a swallow, I’d fly, my child, to thee ; And were thy windows open, Oh, there my nest should be.LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 99 And if I were a nightingale, By thee I’d still he seen, And sing by night my songs of love All on the linden green. Or if I were a mocking-bird, Unto thy heart I’d flee; Thou lovest well all mocking-birds, Or aught like mockery* 58. Sfteirt SSagen rottet Icmgfatn. MY coach goes slowly rolling All through the greenwood gay, Through flowery dales enchanting, Which bloom in the sunny ray. Of my lady-love musing and dreaming, I sit, when three forms approach, Three shadowy forms, which, greeting And nodding, peer into the coach. They leap and make grimaces, So mocking, and yet so shy, And whirl up like mists together, And, tittering, go darting by. * SBetttt id) ettt ©impeX toare, <0o flog’ id) gletd) art £)etn ^erj; ©u fcift: ja t)o!b ten ©impeitt, Unb fjetfeft ©impelfdjmerj. Gimpel, a bulfinch, a dolt or simpleton. 8100 LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 59. 3<§ $ab’ im Sttaum getoehtet. J WEPT while I was dreaming That thou didst buried lie; I woke, and with my weeping My cheeks were not yet dry. I wept while I was dreaming That thou hadst gone from me ; I woke, and still kept weeping Pull long and bitterly. I wept while I was dreaming That thou didst love me well ; I woke, and—woe is me, love!— My tears are flowing still. 60. 2ltfttac§tli<§ im graunte fey idj SHdj.* JgACH night in dreams thou com’st to me, I hear thee gently calling, And then, loud weeping, leap to thee, At thy dear feet down falling. * Of this poem Friedrich Steinmann tells us, in his work on Heine (Derikwurdigkeitm und JErlebnisse, Leipzig, 1857), that when first read in Berlin by the author before the literary circle of the Von Enses, Chamisso, Gans, Helmine von Ch£zy, andLYRICAL INTERMEZZO. 101 Thou look’st on me so mournfully, Thy fair blonde tresses shaking; Then from thine eyes all tremblingly The pearly tears come breaking. Thou breathest a word in under-tone, And givest me cypress braided : I wake,—and the cypress-wreath is gone, And the word from my memory faded. 61. 2)a§ ift ein SStaufeit unb $eulen. rp HE wind and the rain are playing, And the autumn storm roars wild: Oh, where may she be straying, My poor unhappy child ? At her window sadly dreaming, In her little, lonely room, Her eyes with tear-drops gleaming, She looks out into gloom. 62. S)et 4?erf>ftfcrittb ruiicXt bte 33aume. rjmE Fall-wind rattles the branches, The night is chilly grown, others who were wont to assemble at the house of Elise yon Hohenhatjsen, it excited so much merry opposition—in other words, was so good-naturedly laughed at—that it was at the time withheld from publication.102 LYRICAL INTERMEZZO. - And, wrapped in my dark-gray mantle, I ride through the wood alone. And as I ride, so riding My thoughts go on before; They carry me, light and lively, Up to my true love’s door. The hounds hay loud, and the servants Their flaring torches bring; I rush up the winding staircase, My steel spurs rattle and ring. In her well-lighted tapestried chamber, Where all is sweet-perfumed and warm, The beautiful darling awaits me ; And at last we are fast arm in arm. The oak-tree speaks in the forest, Where the leaves on the storm-wind stream “What wilt thou, 0 foolish rider, With this thy foolish dream ?” 63. I fattt etn U SHac^t ift feuctjt unb ftiamifdj. mHE night is wet and stormy, The heaven black above; In the wood beneath rustling branches All silently I rove. From the lonely hunter’s cottage A light beams cheerily; But it will not tempt me thither, Where all is sad to see. The blind old grandmother’s sitting Alone in the leathern chair,THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 113 Uncanny and stern as an image, And speaking to no one there. The red-headed son of the hunter Walks cursing up and down, And casts in a corner his rifle, With a bitter laugh and a frown. A maiden is spinning and weeping, And moistens the flax with tears; While at her small feet, whimpering, Lies a hound with drooping ears. 6. 2113 idj auf bet Sftetfe, jufaHig. I once by chance on a journey My lady-love’s family found, Little sister, and father, and mother, Came joyfully greeting around. They asked, of course, “How I found me?” Hoping my health would not fail; For, although quite the same as ever, My countenance seemed to be pale. I asked of the aunts and the cousins, Of many bores whom we know, And then of the little greyhound With his bark so soft and low. Of the loved one—long since married—* Then I asked, by the way,—though late;114 THE HOMEWAED JOUENEY. And her father, smiling, whispered Of her “interesting state.” And I gave my congratulations On the delicate event, And to her and to all relations “Best remembrances” were sent. But the little sister shouted, That the dog which once was mine Had gone mad in early summer: “So we drowned him in the Rhine/’ That child is so like her sister,— Especially when they smile : She has the same soft glances Which tortured me a while. 7. SBtr fafjen am $tfdjer§aufe. WE sat by the fisher’s cottage And looked at the stormy tide; The evening mist came rising, And floating far and wide. One by one in the light-house The lamps shone out on high; And far on the dim horizon A ship went sailing by. We spoke of storm and shipwreck, Of sailors who live on the deep,THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 115 And how between sky and water And terror and joy they sweep. We spoke of distant countries, In regions strange and fair, And of the wondrous beings And curious customs there; Of perfumes and lights on the Ganges, Where trees like giants tower, And of beautiful silent beings Who kneel to the lotus-flower; Of the wretched dwarfs of Lapland, Broad-headed, wide-mouthed, and small, Who crouch round their oil-fires, cooking, And chatter and scream and bawl. And the maidens earnestly listened, Till at last we spoke no more: The ship like a shadow had vanished, And darkness fell deep on the shore. 8. £>u fdjoneg gtf^etmcibdjen, £teibe ben #a^>t an’l Scrnb. MY gentle ferry-maiden, Come, push the boat to land, And sit thee down beside me, Caressing with hand in hand. Lay thy head against my bosom, And have no fear of me: 9116 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. Dost thou not venture boldly Each day on the roaring sea? My heart is like the ocean ; It has storm, and ebb, and flow, And many a pearl is hidden In its silent depths below. 9. Set TOonb ift aufgegangen. rpHE moon is high in heaven, And shimmers o’er the sea; And my heart throbs like my dear one’s, As she silently sits by me. With my arm around the darling, I rest upon the strand: “What sound is in the night-wind? Why trembles your snow-white hand?” “ Those are no evening breezes, But the mermaids singing low,— The mermaids, once my sisters, Who were drowned so long ago.” 10. 2tuf ben 23oI?en ru$t bet 2ftonb, (Sine SRiefenpommeranje. r£ HE quiet moon upon the clouds Like a giant orange is glowing, While, far beneath, the old gray sea, All striped with silver, is flowing.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 117 Alone I wander on the strand, Where the white surf is broken, But hear full many a gentle word Amid the waves soft spoken. But, oh, the night is far too long ; Silence too long has bound me : Fair water-fairies, come to me, And dance and sing around me. Oh, take my head upon your lap, Take body and soul in keeping! But sing me dead,—caress me dead,— And kiss me to endless sleeping! 11. (Smgefjitttt in gtaue SBoUett. wrapped up in gray cloud-garments, Now the great gods sleep together; And I hear their thunder-snoring, For to-night we’ve dreadful weather. Dreadful weather! what a tempest Threats our ship with dire disaster! Who will check the mighty storm-wind, And the waves without a master ? Can’t be helped, though, if all nature A mad holiday is keeping: So I’ll wrap me up and slumber, As the gods above are sleeping.118 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY.' 12. Set SBinb jie^t feme ^ofen art. mHE wild wind puts his trousers on,— His foam-white water breeches ; He lashes the waves, and every one Roars out, and howls, and pitches. From yon wild height, with furious might, The rain comes roaring, groaning. It seems as if the old black Night The old dark Sea were drowning. The snow-white sea-gull to our mast Clings, screaming hoarse, and crying; And every scream to me doth seem A deathly prophesying. 13. Set ©tutm tyielt auf aunt Sanje. mHE wind pipes up for dancing, The waves in white are clad: Hurrah !■—how the ship is leaping! And the night is merry and mad. And living hills of water Sweep up as the storm-wind calls: Here a black gulf is gaping, And there a white tower falls. And sounds as of sickness and swearing From the depths of the cabin come: I keep a firm hold on the bulwarks, And wish that I now were at home.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 119 14. Set atfcettb tornntt gejogen. rnHE night comes stealing o’er me, And clouds are on the sea; While the wavelets rustle before me With a mystical melody. A water-maid rose singing: She sat by me, fair and pale; And snow-white breasts were springing, Like fountains, ’neath her veil. She kissed me and she pressed me, Till I wished her arms away: “ Why hast thou so caressed me, Thou lovely Water Fay?” “ Oh, thou need’st not alarm thee That thus thy form I hold ; For I only seek to warm me, And the night is black and cold.” “ The wind to the waves is calling, The moonlight is fading away; And tears down thy cheek are falling, Thou beautiful Water Fay!” “ The wind to the waves is calling, And the moonlight grows dim on the rocks; But no tears from mine eyes are falling: ’Tis the water which drips from my locks.”120 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. “ The ocean is heaving and sobbing, The sea-mews scream in the spray; And thy heart is wildly throbbing, Thou beautiful Water Fay!” “ My heart is wildly swelling, And it beats in burning truth; For I love thee past all telling, Thou beautiful mortal youth.” 15. SSenn tdj an betnem £aufe S)e3 2ftorgen3 fconiber ■'yrTHEN early in the morning I pass thy window, sweet, Oh, what a thrill of joy is mine When both our glances meet!” “With those dark flashing eyeballs Which all things round thee scan, Who art thou, and what seek’st thou, Thou strange and sickly man?” “ I am a German poet, Well known in the German land: Where the first names are written, Mine own with right may stand. “And what I seek, my fairest, Is that for which many pine; And where men speak of sorrows, Thou’It hear them speak of mine.”THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. 121 16. Wltn crglanjte toeit §inau3. mHE ocean shimmered far around, As the last snn-rays shone: We sat beside the fisher’s hut, Silent, and all alone. The mist swam up, the water heaved, The sea-mew round us screamed; And from thy dark eyes, full of love, The scalding tear-drops streamed. I saw them fall upon thy hand; Upon my knee I sank, And from that white and yielding hand The glittering tears I drank. And since that hour I waste away, Mid passion’s hopes and fears : 0 weeping girl!—0 weary heart!— Thou’rt poisoned with her tears !* * This is the only poem in this volnme in which I have departed from the original metre. The following version is, however, al- most literal:— Ear, far away the ocean shone, As the last sunbeams fleeted; Beside the fisher’s cabin lone, Alone we two were seated. The mist arose, the water swelled, Gulls’flew, their flight recalling;122 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 17. 2)a broken cmf jenctn ©erge. TJIGH up on yonder mountain There stands a lordly hall, Where dwell three gentle maidens, And I was loved by all. On Saturday Hetty loved me, The Sabbath was Julia’s day, And on Monday Kunigunda Half squeezed my breath away. And from thine eyes, which love had filled, The tears adown were falling. I saw them falling on thy hand, I on my knee was sinking, Still as they fell on thy white hand Away the tear-drops drinking. Since that hour my body wastes and wears, Yearning to death steals through me; Tor that ill-omened woman’s tears Have been a poison to me. The reader may remember that a great proportion of words which are monosyllables in English are in two or three syllables in German,—a peculiarity which renders literal translation into the same metre as the original, and into the same number of words, in most cases, almost impossible. The difficulty is in- creased with Heine’s poems, owing to the careful reduction in them of every phrase to the fewest possible words. Translator.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 123 On Tuesday, in their castle, My ladies gave a ball; And thither, with coaches and horses, Went my neighbors, their wives and all. But I had no invitation:— Which bothered you, by-the-by!—■ And the gossiping aunts and cousins Observed it, and laughed on the sly. 18. 2tm fetnert #ortjonte. |<1AR on the dim horizon, As in a land of dreams, Bises a white-towered city, Fading ’mid sunset gleams. The evening breeze is wreathing The water where I float; And in solemn measure the sailor Keeps time as he rows my boat. Again the sun is rising Bright-gleaming o’er the coast, And shows the place more clearly Where the one I loved was lost. 19. ©et mtr gegrujjt, feu ©rofje. QNCE more in solemn ditty I greet thee, as I melt124 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. In tears, 0 wondrous city Where once my true love dwelt. Say on, ye gates and tower, Does she I loved remain ? I gave her to your power: Give me my love again ! Blame not the trusty tower I No word his walls could say, As a pair, with their trunks and baggage, So silently travelled away. But the wicket-gate was faithless Through which she escaped so still: Oh, a wicket is always willing To ope when a wicked one will* 20. ) tvanbV tdj ftneber ben alien 5 ^^GAIN through the streets well known of old I wander with footsteps weary; Again before her house I come, And the house is empty and dreary. * Die Thore jedoch, die Hessen Mein Liebchen entwischen gar still; Mn Thor ist immer willig, Wenn eine Thorinn wilh “ A gate is ever found willing To let a fool “ gang her ain gait.”—Bowring.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. The streets are all so narrow here! The pavement seems to tear me ! The roofs are falling! I haste away As fast as my feet will bear me. 21. ttat in jette fatten. J ENTERED her home, recalling The faith she had pledged while weeping Where I saw her tear-drops falling, I now found serpents creeping. 22. ©tilEC ifi fete Sfoxdji, eg ru?jen bte ©affen. £JALM is the night, and the city is sleeping Once in this house dwelt a lady fair; Long, long ago she left it, weeping, Rut still the old house is standing there. Yonder a man at the heavens is staring, Wringing his hands as in sorrowful case; He turns to the moonlight, his countenance baring 0 heaven! he shows me my own sad face! Shadowy form, with my own agreeing, Why mockest thou thus, in the moonlight cold, The sorrows which here once vexed my being Many a night in the days of old?126 THE HOMEWA.RD JOURHEY. 23. SStc fannfi bu ru^tg f^lafett. H°W canst thou sleep so calmly, While I alive remain ? Old griefs may yet be wakened, And then I’ll break my chain. Bemember the wild old ballad, How a dead, forgotten slave Came to his silent lady And bore her to the grave. Believe me, my wondrous lovely And wondrously gentle maid, I live, and still am stronger Than any who are dead. 24. 2>ie Jungfrau in ber tfamnte*. JJIHE maiden sleeps in her chamber, The moonlight steals quivering in; Without there’s a ringing and singing, As of waltzing about to begin. “ I will see who it is ’neath my window, That gives me this strange serenade!” She saw a pale skeleton figure, Who fiddled, and sang as he played: “A waltz you once did promise, And have broken your word, my fair.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 127 To-night there’s a ball in the churchyard: So come; I will dance with you there!” A spell came over the maiden, She neither could speak nor stay; So she followed the Form,—which, singing, And fiddling, went dancing away, Fiddling, and dancing, and hopping, And rattling his arms and spine, The white skull grinning and nodding Away in the dim moonshine. 25. fiattb tn buttfeln gtaumen. T STOOD in shadowy dreaming, I gazed upon her form; And in that face, so dearly loved, Strange life began to warm. And on her soft and childlike mouth There played a heavenly smile; Though in her dark and lustrous eyes A tear-drop shone the while. And my own tears were flowing, In silent agony ; For, oh ! it is not possible That thou art lost to me.128 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 26. 3dj ungl&ffet’gtt 2ttla8! einc SBtli. J a most wretched Atlas, who a world y Of bitterest griefs and agonies must carry, And bear the all-unbearable, till, breaking, The heart is lost within me. Wild daring heart!—it was thine own mad choice: Thou wouldst be happy, infinitely happy, Or wretched beyond measure. Daring heart, Now thou art truly wretched! 27. 2)te Sa’fjte iomrnen unb get;en. ^GES may come and vanish, Races may pass away, But the love which I have cherished, Within, can ne’er decay. Once more I fain would see thee, And kneel where’er thou art, And, dying, whisper,—“Madam, Be pleased to accept my heart /” 28. ®Ht traumte: fdjauxtg fdjaute bet TRonb. JT seemed that the pale moon sadly shone, And the stars were sadly gleaming: I was borne away to my own love’s town, A hundred leagues,—while dreaming.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 129 I came to the house where she had slept; I kissed the stair while weeping,— Where often her little foot had stept, Which had known her garment’s sweeping. Long was the night, cold was the night; I sat there, chilled, despairing; From the window looked a phantom white, At the chilly moonlight staring. 29. 2BaS Vrntt biefe etnfcmte SE^tane? "'^THAT means this lonely tear-drop Which dims mine eye to-day? It is the last now left me, Where once so many lay. It had full many a sister Which rolled in glittering light; But now, with my smiles and sorrow, They’re lost in wind and night. And, like the mists, have faded The light blue sparkling stars Which flashed their joys or sorrows Down through life’s prison-bars. 0 love,—wild love,—where art thou? Fled like an idle breath: My silent, lonely tear-drop, Go fade in misty death!130 THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. 30. $>er fcleitfce, §et&fili($e §al&m#nb» mHE pale half-moon is floating Like a boat mid cloudy waves : Lone lies the pastor's cottage Amid the silent graves. The mother reads in the Bible, The son seems weary and weak, The eldest daughter is drowsy, While the youngest begins to speak: “ Ah me l how every minute Rolls by so drearily! Only when some one is buried Have we any thing here to see l” The mother murmured, while reading, “ Thou’rt wrong : they’ve brought but four Since thy poor father was buried Out there by the churchyard door.” The eldest daughter says, gaping, “No more will I hunger by you; I'll go to the Baron to-morrow : He’s wealthy, and fond of me too.” The son bursts out into laughter: “ Three hunters carouse in the Sun: They all can make gold, and gladly Will show me how it is done.”THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 131 The mother holds the Bible To his pale face in grief: “And wilt thou, wicked fellow, Become a highway thief?” A rapping is heard on the window, There trembles a warning hand; Without, in his black church-garments, They see their dead father stand. 31. 2)a3 tft ein fc§le<§teg Setter. rjX)-NIGHT we have dreadful weather, It rains and snows and storms; I sit at my window, gazing Out on benighted forms. There glimmers a lonely candle, Which wearily wanders on: An old dame with a lantern Comes hobbling slowly anon. —It seems that for eggs and butter, And sugar, she forth has come, To make a cake for her daughter, Her grown-up darling at home, Who, at the bright lamp blinking, In an arm-chair lazily lies; And golden locks are waving Above her beautiful eyes. 10132 THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. 32. Wan glau&t, bajj i<$ mid) gtSnte. rpHEY say that my heart is breaking With love and sorrow too; And at last I shall believe it, As other people do. Sweet girl, with eyes dark beaming, I have ever told thee this, That my heart with love is breaking, That thou wert all my bliss. But only in my chamber Bared I thus boldly speak: Alas!—when thou wert present My words were sad and weak. For there were evil angels Who quickly hushed my tongue; And, oh! such evil angels Kill many a heart when young. 33. Seine toeidjen Siltenfinger. Oh,t thy lovely lily-fingers! If I once again could kiss them, Press them once upon my heart, And then die in silent weeping!THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 133 For thy clear deep eyes like violets Sweep before me day and night; And I vex my soul in guessing At the soft, sweet, blue enigmas. 34. $at fie fid) benn ntc geaufeett? “H“ she really never noticed That you long with love were burning ? Saw you never in her glances Any sign pf love returning ? “ Could you never with your glances Wake that glance which thrills and flatters,— You, who surely are no donkey, Friend of mine, in these small matters ?” 35. ©ie IteBten fidj Beibc, bod) toner. rpHEY tenderly loved, and yet neither ■ Would venture the other to move; They met as if hate were between them, And yet were half dying with love. They parted, and then saw each other, At times, in their visions alone; They had long left this sad life together, Yet scarcely to either ’twas known.134 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 36. IXnb alS i(Sudj metnc ©cfymerjen geUagt. ■\^hen first my afflictions you heard me rehearse, You gaped and you stared:—God be praised ’twas no worse! But when I repeated them smoothly in rhyme, You thought it was “wonderful!” “glorious!” “sublime!” 37. rief ben ieufet unb et fant. J CALLED the Devil, and he came: In blank amaze his form I scan. He is not ugly, is not lame, But a refined, accomplished man,—- One in the very prime of life, At home in every cabinet strife, Who, as diplomatist, can tell Church and State news extremely wrell. He is somewhat pale,—and no wonder, either, Since he studies Sanscrit and Hegel together. His favorite poet is still Fouque. Of criticism he makes no mention, Since all such matters unworthy attention He leaves to his grandmother, Hecat£. He praised my legal efforts, and said That he also when younger some law had read, Remarking that friendship like mine would be An acquisition, and bowed to me,—THE HOMEWAED JOUEHEY. 135 Then asked if we had not met before, At the Spanish minister's soiree? And, as I scanned his face once more, I found I had known him for many a day! 38. SDttnfdj, toetfyotte ttidjt ben £eufel. J^/JORTAL! sneer not at the Devil: Soon thy little life is o’er; And eternal grim damnation Is no idle tale of yore. Mortal! pay the debts thou owest: Long ’twill be ere life is o’er; Many a time thou yet must borrow, As thou oft hast done before. 39. SDte Ijetrgett btet ibonige cm3 ‘Sforgenlanb. 66 "^THICH is the way to Bethlehem? Is there no one to show it?” So asked the Three Kings from the Eastern land: “Dear children, do you know it?” Neither old nor young could tell them the road. The kings went on. Before them There went a beautiful golden star, Which gleamed in its glory o’er them.136 THE HOMEWARD JOUEHEY. The star stood still over Joseph’s house; They entered, their offerings bringing. The oxen lowed, the Infant cried, While the three wise kings were singing. 40. TReiit $htb, ymt toaren jHttber, 3fret ftinbei- Hein unb fto§. MY child, we once were children, Two children gay and small; We crept into the hen-house And hid ourselves, heads and all. We clucked just like the poultry; And when folks came by, you know,— Kickery-kee !—they started, And thought ’twas a real crow. The chests which lay in our court-yard We papered so smooth and nice; We thought they were splendid houses, And lived in them, snug as mice. When the old cat of our neighbor Dropped in for a social call, We made her bows and courtesies, And compliments, and all. We asked of her health, and kindly Inquired how all had sped:— Since then to many a tabby The selfsame things we’ve said.THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. 137 And oft, like good old people, We talked with sober tongue, Declaring that all was better In the days when we were young ;— How piety, faith, and true love Had vanished quite away, And how dear we found the coffee, How scarce the money, to-day ! So all goes rolling onward, The merry days of youth,— Money, the world and its seasons, And honesty, love, and truth. 41. Sag §et5 ift irtit bebtucft, unb fdjnlicfj. MY heart is sad, and with misgiving I ponder o’er the ancient day When this poor world was fit to live in And calmly sped the time away. Now all seems changed which once was cherished: The world is filled, with care and dread ; As if the Lord in heaven had perished, And down below the Devil were dead. But care of all hath so bereft us, So little pleasure Life can give, That, were not some faint Love still left us, No more I’d wish on Earth to live.138 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 42. SBic bet 9ttt>nb fid? leudjienb btanget. the summer moon shines rising Through the dark and cloud-like treest So my soul through shadowy memories Still a gleaming picture sees. All upon the deck were seated, Proudly sailing on the Rhine; And the shores in summer verdure Gleamed in sunset’s crimson shine. And I rested, gently musing, At a lovely lady’s feet, And her dear pale face was gleaming In the sun-rays soft and fleet. Lutes were ringing, boys were singing, Wondrous rapture o’er me stole; Bluer, bluer grew the heavens, Puller, higher, swelled my soul. Like a legend, wood and river, Hill and tower, before me fly; And I see the whole, reflected, In the lovely lady’s eye. 43. 3m £raum fat) idj bie ©eliebte. JN dreams I saw the loved one, A sorrowing, wearied form,THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 139 Her beauty blanched and withered By many a dreary storm. A babe on her arm she carried, Another by hand she led; And poverty and trouble In glance and in garb I read. She trembled through the market,- And face to face we met; And I calmly said, while sadly Her eyes on mine were set, “Come to my house, poor sufferer, For you are pale and thin; And for you by my labor Both meat and drink I’ll win. “And to your little children I’ll be a'father mild ; But, most of all, your parent, My poor unhappy child. “Nor will I ever whisper That once I held you dear; And if you die before me, I’ll weep upon your bier.” 44. S^eutet greuttb, KoaS foil eg ttufcen. JpRIEND of mine, why are you ever Through the same old measures moving ?140 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. Will you, brooding, sit forever On the same old eggs of loving? ’Tis an endless incubation ; From their eggs the chicks scarce risen, When the chirping generation In a book you coop and prison. 45. SBerbet nut nidjt ungebulbtg. BY’ I pray, be not impatient At the same old chords still ringing, If you find the same old sorrows In the newest songs I’m singing. Wait; for ye shall yet hear fading All this echo of my sorrow, When a fresher spring of poems Bubbles from my heart to-morrow. 46. SJhtn ifi t% ^cit, bafj id) mit Berftanb. JT is time that my mind from this folly I free,— Yes, time I were guided by reason: You’ve been playing the part of an actor with me, I fear, for too lengthened a season. In the warmest style of the highest romance, Our scenery all was new-fangled:THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 141 I thought hut of lady, of helm, and ot lance, And my armor was splendidly spangled. But I sigh now to think that such parts I could fill, With this frippery lying before me; And a feeling as though I played comedy still Comes wretchedly wandering o’er me. Ah, Heaven! I spoke what in secret I felt; Unconscious I did it, and jesting; As the Dying Athlete before you I knelt, While Death in my own heart was resting. 47. Sen £5ntg SBiSttamitra. mHE great king Wiswa-mitra Is lost in trouble now; For he through strife and penance Would win Waschischta's cow. 0 great king Wiswa-mitra ! Oh, what an ass art thou To bear such strife and penance All for a single cow! 48. §erj, went fet ntdjt fceUommen. TTEART, my heart, oh, be not shaken, And still calmly bear thy pain ! For the spring will bring again What a dreary winter’s taken.142 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. And how much is still remaining, And how bright the world still beams! And, my heart, what pleasant seems Thou mayst love with none complaining. 49. SDu fcift tote etne 23Iume. rjraou’ RT like a lovely floweret, So void of guile or art. I gaze upon thy beauty, And grief steals o’er my heart. I fain would lay, devoutly, My hands upon thy brow, And pray that God will keep thee As good and fair as now. 50. JSinb! eg toare feetn SSetfcetfcett. £JHILD! it were your utter ruin, And I strive, right earnestly, That your gentle heart may never Glow with aught like love for me. But the thought that ’twere so easy Still amid my dreams will move me, And I still am ever thinking That ’twere sweet to make you love me.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 143 51. SBentt icfj auf bent Sager liege. TITTHEN on my bed I’m lying, Y Y At night, on pillows warm, There ever floats before me A sweet and gentle form. But soon as silent slumber Has closed my weary eyes, Before me, in a vision, I see the image rise. Yet with the dream of morning It will not pass away, For I bear it in my bosom Around, the live-long day. 52. Sttabcfjen mit bent rotten SJftitnbdjett. TyjAIDEN with thy mouth of roses, And with eyes serene and bright! Thou, my little darling maiden, Dearest to my heart and sight! Long the winter nights are growing :— Would I might forget their gloom, By thee sitting, with thee chatting, In thy little friendly room!144 THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. Often to my lips, in rapture, I would press thy snowy hand, Often with my eyes bedewing Silently that darling hand. 53. Sttag ba braufjett ©djnee ftdj t^urwcn. PJTEOUGH, without, the snow-drifts tower, Though hail falls, and tempests shower, On the window-pane loud rattling, Little will I heed their battling; For her form will ever bring To my heart the joys of spring. 54. 2lnbrc beten gut SDlabonne. jyj^ANY pray to the Madonna, Others run to Paul or Peter: I will only pray to you, love, Fairest sun of starry women! Grant me kisses!—you have won me! Oh, be merciful and gracious, Fairest sun among the maidens, ’Neath the sun, of girls the fairest! 55. SBevtteib mein btaffeS Stngeftdjt. do not my pale cheeks betray The pains at heart distressing ?THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 145 And would you hear so proud a mouth The beggar’s prayer confessing ? Ah me ! this mouth is far too proud; It knows but jests and kisses, And may have spoken mocking words To hide the heart’s distresses. 56. 23jeutet §reunb, bu bift toerltebt. J^EAREST friend, you are in love; Tighter draws the chain, and tighter; In your head ’tis getting dark, While your heart is growing lighter. Dearest friend, you are in love; Yet from confidence you’re turning, When I see your glowing heart Through your very waistcoat burning! 57. gdj iuottte bet bit toetlen. J FAIN would linger near thee, But, when I sought to woo, There was no time to hear me: There was “too much to do.” I told you, shortly after, That all your own I’d be;146 THE HOMEWAKD JOUKNEY. And, with a peal of laughter, You made a courtesy. At last you did confuse me More utterly than this ; For you did even refuse me A trifling parting kiss! Fear not that I shall languish, Or shoot myself:—oh, no! I’ve gone through all this anguish Quite often, long ago. 58. ©cty’&tre finb bie Stugen betn. JgRIG-HT sapphires are your beaming eyes, Dear eyes, so softly greeting : Ah me! thrice happy is the man Whom they with love are meeting. Your heart’s a diamond, bright and clear, Whence rays of light are flowing: Ah me! thrice happy is the man For whom with love they’re glowing. Your lips are rubies, melting red; None better worth the seeking: Ah me! thrice happy is the man To whom with love they’re speaking.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 147 Oh, if I knew that happy man, Oh, could I find the lover, Then all alone in the gay greenwood: His joys would soon be over. 59. 4j>abe nttcfy mtt StebeSreben gefi gelogen an bent fpetj. T1C7ITH false-vows I long have hound me, Y Y Firmly lied me, to thy heart ; Now, with my own meshes round me, Jesting turns to pain and smart. But if thou—with right before thee— Now shouldst turn away thy head, Then the devil would soon come o’er me, And, by Jove, I’d shoot me dead! 60. 3u fragmentary tft SBelt unb Seben. rpHIS world and this life are so scattered, they try me And so to a German professor I’ll hie me. He can well put all the fragments together Into a system, convenient and terse; While with his night-cap and dressing-robe tatters He’ll stop up the chinks of the wide Universe. - 11148 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 61. 6ie fyaben §eut 2lbenb (SefeCCfd^aft. rpO-NIGHT they give a party. The house gleams bright above; And over the lighted window I see your shadow move. You see me not in the darkness; I stand alone, apart; Still less can you cast your glances Into my gloomy heart. This gloomy heart still loves you; It loves,—though long forgot. Breaking, convulsed, and bleeding, Alas ! you see it not! 62. 3$ ttottt’ tnetnc ©cEjmetjen etgoffen etnet ©eele pafste nidjt. Nc ro ! the tameness and the sameness Of your soul would not agree With my own soul’s ruder braveness, Which o’er rocks went leaping free. Your love-paths were graded turnpikes: Now with husband, every day, Arm-in-arm 1 see you walking Bravely,—in the family way! 66. ©abett tmt imb flute Se^tett. rpHEY gave me advice which I scarcely heeded, Piled on me praises I never needed, Said that I only should “wait awhile,” Offered their patronage, too, with a smile. But, with all their honor and approbation, I should long ago have died of starvation, Had there not come an excellent man, Who bravely to help me along began.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 151 Good fellow!—lie got me the food I ate ; Iiis kindness and care I shall never forget: Yet I cannot embrace him, though other folks can, For I myself am this excellent man! 67. 2>iefen lie’&enSVDurb’gen SibtflUitg. T CAN never speak too highly Of this amiable young fellow; Oft he treated me to oysters, Good old hock, and cordials mellow. Neatly fit his coat and trousers; His cravats are worth admiring; And he sees me every morning, Of my state of health inquiring, Of my great renown still speaking, Of my wit and condescension, And to aid me or to serve me Does his best without pretension. Every evening to the ladies, In the tones of one inspired, He declaims my “heavenly poems, Which the world has so admired.” Oh, hut is it not refreshing Still to find such persons flying,— And in times like these, when truly All the better sort seem dying ?152 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 68. 9ttir ixaumi’: id) bin bet liebe ©ott. J DREAMED that I was Lord of all, High up in heaven sitting, With cherubim who praised my song Around in glory flitting. And cakes I ate, and sugar-plums, Worth many a shining dollar; And claret-punch I also drank, With never a bill to follow. And yet ennui vexed me sore: I longed for earthly revel; And, were I not the Lord himself, I’d gladly been the Devil. “Come, trot, tall Angel Gabriel, To thee broad wings are given ; Go find my dearest friend Eugene, And bring him up to heaven ! “Ask not for him in lecture-rooms, But where Tokay inspires ; Seek him not in the Hedwig’s church, Seek him at Ma’mselle Meyer’s!” Abroad he spreads his mighty wings, To earth his course descends; He catches up the astonished youth Right from among his friends.* THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. 153 “Yes, youth, I now am Lord of all, The earth is my possession; I always told you I was bound To rise in my profession. “And miracles I too can work, To set you wild with pleasure: And now I’ll make the town Ix-Ix* Rejoice beyond all measure. “For every stone which paves the street Shall now be split in two, And in the midst shall sparkle bright An oyster fresh as dew. “A gentle shower of lemon-juice Shall give the oysters savor; The gutters of the streets must run With hock of extra flavor.” How the Ix-Ixers go to work! What cries of joy they utter! The council and the aldermen Are swilling up the gutter. And how the poets all rejoice, To see things done so neatly! The ensigns, and lieutenants too, Have cleaned the streets completely. * Or X, x. In one edition Heine calls tins town Berlin. Translator.154 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. The wisest are the officers ; For, speculation scorning, They sagely say, “Such miracles Don’t happen every morning.” 69. 23ott fdjottett Sty^ett fortgebrangt, getrteben. JjiROM sweetest lips have I been forced, and driven From fairest arms and beauty captivating: Long had I gladly rested in this heaven, But—with his horses stood the post-boy, waiting! And such is life, my child;—an endless plaining, A long adieu, a lasting parting hour. Could not your heart charm mine into remaining ? Could not your glances keep me by their power? 70. SSir fubtert atfetn tm bmtWrt spofiteagen bie ganje 9la4)t. TTTE rode in the dark post-carriage, We travelled all night alone; We slept and we jested together, We laughed until morning shone. But as daylight came dawning o’er us, My dear, how we started to findTHE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 155 Between ns a traveller, named Cupid, Who had ventured on “going it blind” 1* 71. S5a8 toetfj ®ott, too ftdj bte totte S)itne einquartitet tyat. knows where the wild young hussy Whom I seek has settled down. Swearing at the rain and weather, I have scoured through all the town. I have run from inn to tavern,— Ne’er a bit of news I gain,— And of every saucy waiter I’ve inquired,—and all in vain. * Dock als es Morgens tagte, Mein Kind, wie staunten wir l Denn zwischen uns sass Amor, Der blinde Passagier. I have heard “ a blind passenger” described as the one who sits at the end of the Eilwagen (or Diligence), where there is no win- dow. But, in popular parlance, “ the blind passenger” is one who— to translate a bit of German slang by its American equivalent— may be termed a “ self-elected dead-head,” an individual who slips in and out of an entertainment, coach, steamboat, or the like, without paying for his admission, or one not included in the regular list. Literally this verse reads, “ But when day dawned, my child, how we were astonished! for between us sat Amor, the blind pas- senger.”—Translator.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. There she is ! at yonder window,—■ Smiling, beckoning to me. Well, How was I to know yon quartered, • Miss, in such a grand hotel ? 72. Unb bift bu erft mem eljlidj 2Beib. T\7'HEN you become my wedded wife, " You’ll be my envied treasure ; You’ll have the very merriest life, With nothing but joy and pleasure. And if the very devil you raise, I’ll bear it in silent sorrow; But if you fail my verse to praise, I’ll be divorced o’ the morrow. 73. 28te bunfte £raume fteljen £)te #aufer in Icmger Sftei§\ T IKE dusky dreams, the houses Stand in a lengthened row; And, wrapped in my Spanish mantle, Through the shadow I silently go. The tower of the old cathedral Announces that midnight has come;THE HOMEWARD JOURHEF. 157 And now, with her charms and her kisses, My dearest is waiting at home.. The moon is my boon companion: She cheerily lights my way, Till I come to the house of my true love ; And then to the moon I say, “Many thanks for your light, old comrade; Receive my parting bow; For the rest of the night I’ll excuse you: Go shine upon other folks now. “And if you should light on a lover Who drearily sorrows alone, Console him as you have consoled me In the wearisome times long gone.” 74. 2>tt ben Stiffen, toelcfje Siige. What delight in mere parade! To betray may have its blisses, But more blest is the betrayed. Say what thou wilt, my fairest, Still I know what thou’lt receive: I’ll believe just what thou swearest, And will swear what thou’lt believe.158 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 75. 3luf betnern ^neeitietfjett SBujen. TTPON your snowy bosom I laid my weary bead, And secretly I listened To what the heart-throbs said. The blue hussars come riding, With trumpets, to the gate; And to-morrow she who loves me Will seek another mate. But, though you leave to-morrow, To-day you still must rest; And in those lovely arms, love, Will I be doubly blest. 76. <53 Hafen bte blauett §ufarett. T>LUE hussars with their trumpets loud sounding Through the town-gate are riding away : So again to you, darling, I’m bringing Fresh roses,—a lovely bouquet. Oh, that was the craziest business! Much trouble in every part; And many a dashing blade was “drawn And quartered” in your heart.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 159 77. #abe audj tit jungcn J TOO, in life’s early season, Had my pains beyond all reason, From love’s burning mood ; But now I find that wood is dear, The fire burns lower every year, Ma foi!—and that is good. Think of that, my dear young beauty; Dry your tears, since joy is duty ; Heed no false alarms: While your veins with young life quiver, Let the old love fade forever, Ma foi!—in my fond arms. 78. <2 el ten tjafct xtjx nttdj fcerftanben. gELDOM did we know each other, Seldom were you understood; But our souls soon came together When we met in filth and mud. 79. Soc$ bie it'afitaien Hagten. TTOW the eunuchs were complaining At the roughness of my song! Complaining and explaining : That my voice was much too strong.160 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. Then, delicately thrilling, They all began to sing: Like crystal was their trilling, So pure it seemed to ring. They sang of passion sweeping In hot floods from the heart: The ladies all were weeping, In a rapturous sense of Art I 80. (Sudj im I'cfteit SttU toetlaffen. >mWAS just in the midst of July that I left you, And now in mid-winte^I meet you once more Then, as we parted, with heat ye were glowing, Now ye are cool, and the fever is o’er. Once more I leave. Should I come again hither, Then you will be neither burning nor cold: Over your graves—well-a-day!—I’ll be treading, And find that my own heart is weary and old! 81. 9ieben mix VDO^nt Son §em:tq«ej. JN^EAR to me lives Don Henriquez, As “the handsome” celebrated: Neighboring are our apartments, By a thin wall separated. Salamanca’s loveliest ladies, When he walks, are gloating o’er him,—THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 161 Rattling spurs and curled mustachios, And his hounds, of course, before him. But in silent summer evenings Calm at home he sits, half dreaming, Touching his guitar and humming, O’er his soul sweet fancies streaming. Now he sweeps the strings more strongly, Loudly thrill his wild romances :— Worse to me than drunken headaches Are his snarling quavering fancies ! 82. 2luf ben SBatCen ©alamanta’8. J> OIJND the walls of Salamanca Soft the summer breeze is blowing: There I wander with my Donna, When the evening red is glowing. Round the lady’s slender body My embracing arm still lingers; And I feel her bosom proudly Swelling, with my. happy fingers. Yet a murmur, as of anguish, Through the linden-boughs is streaming, And the gloomy stream below us Murmurs, as if evil dreaming.162 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. Ah, Senora! dark forebodings Of “expulsion’7 round are stalking: On the walls of Salamanca We no more can then go walking. 83. SSifi bu nut fo feinblidjf then, do you really hate me ? Are you really changed so sadly ? I’ll complain to everybody That you’ve treated me so badly. 0 ye red lips, so ungrateful, Say, how could ye speak unkindly Of the man who kissed so warmly, And of him who loved so blindly ? 84. bit Slugcn ftnb eS fcnebet. QTILL the same those eyes beguiling, ^ Which once lent to love completeness; Still the same those soft lips smiling, Which to life gave all its sweetness. Still the same that voice, whose music I have listened to with yearning : But I am the same no longer, Changed so strangely since returning.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 163 By the fair white arms so firmly, Passionately, now surrounded, I upon her heart am lying, Melancholy and confounded. 85. JEaunt fatyen tint un8, unb an 2lugen unb ©timrne. GCARCE had we met, when, in tones and in glances, ^ I saw that you liked me, and nothing was missed; And had not your mother been there with her fancies, Right certain I am that at once we’d have kissed. To-morrow I’ll leave, while the world will be sleeping; Away, as of old, on my journey I’ll go; And then my blonde girl from the window ’ll be peeping, And glances of love at the window I’ll throw. 86. Uebet bie SBerge ftetgi fdjon bte ©omtc. rnHE sunlight is stealing o’er mountain and river, The cries of the flocks are heard over the plain; My love and my lamb and my darling forever, How glad I would be could I see thee again! Upwards I look, and with glances full loving, “Darling, adieu! I must wander from thee.” Vainly I wait, for no curtain is moving: She lies and she sleeps, and she’s dreaming of me. 12164 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. ' 87. ' 5Rad)t tiegt auf ben fremben SESegen. CH strange roads the night is lying, Weariness and pain before me! When, like blessings softly flying, The sweet moon-rays quiver o’er me. Gentle moon, by that bright gleaming Nightly terrors soon you banish; And my eyes with tears are streaming, As my fears and sorrows vanish. 88. 3u #atCe auf bent SKatft. JN the market-place of Halle There stand two mighty lions : 0 thou lion-pride of Halle, How greatly art thou tamed! In the market-place of Halle There stands a mighty giant; He hath a sword, yet never stirs,— He’s petrified with terror. In the market-place of Halle A mighty church is standing, Where the Burschenschaft and the Landsmann- schaft* Have plenty of room for praying. * Student Associations, the Burschenschaft being general and political in its objects, while the Landsmannschaften are local. Translator.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 165 89. 2>ammetnb Uegt ber 6ommeta6enb. O UMMER eve with day is striving, ^ Softly gaining wood and meadow; Mid blue heavens the golden moonlight Gleams, in perfumed air reviving. Crickets round the brooks are cheeping; Something stirs amid the water; And the wanderer hears a plashing, And a breath amid the sleeping: There alone, beside the river, See! a fair Undine is bathing: Arms and bosom, white and lovely, In the shimmering moon-rays quiver. 90. £>er £ob ba§ tft bte 9iadjt. T\EATH is a cool and pleasant night, Life is a sultry day. ’Tis growing dark,—I’m weary.; For day has tired me with his light. Over my bed a fair tree gleams, ' And in it sits a nightingale : She sings of naught save love: I hear it even in dreams.166 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 91. ©ctg’, too ift betn fd)one8 £teber £raumgoit bradjte tnt<$ in cine 2anbfct>afi. rjTEE Dream-God brought me to a rural scene, Where weeping willows waved a welcome to me With all their long green arms, and where the flowers With shrewd, sweet sister-glances still observed me, Where the birds’ songs seemed known long, long ago, And even the distant barking of the dogs Was something heard before in sweet old times; And there were forms and voices kindly greeting, Like a long-absent friend : yet all around me170 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. Did seem so strange, so wonderfully strange ! I stood before a handsome inland dwelling, And all my brain was calm, though in my bosom There was a wild commotion: yet quite calm I shook the dust out of my travelling garments, Harsh rang the door-bell, and the door unclosed. And there were men and women,—many faces Known in the olden time. A silent sorrow Lay with a shy and secret terror on them, And, strangely moved, they looked, almost with pity, Upon me, until I myself was moved As with foreboding of an unknown evil. Old Margaret I knew at the first glance, And looked inquiringly ; and yet she spoke not. “Where is Maria?” I asked; and still she spoke not, But gently took my hand, at length, and led me, Through many a long and lighted-up apartment, Where a dead silence tempered pomp and pride, Until I came unto a darksome chamber, And showed me, with her face all turned away, The form of one who on the sofa sat. “Are you Maria?” I asked,—and inwardly I was myself astonished at the firmness With which I spoke. Like stone or metal There rang a voice: “That is what people call me.” A cutting agony froze through my veins, For that cold, hollow tone was still the voice— Or what had been the sweet voice—of Maria! Yes, and that woman, in tasteless lilac gown Cast on so slovenly, with hanging breasts, With staring, glassy eyes, with every muscleTHE HOMEWARD JOtTMTEY. 171 Of the white face so leather-like and dead,— That wretched, faded form was once the fair, The blooming, gentle, beautiful Maria! “You have been travelling long,” she cried, aloud And with a cold, unpleasant forwardness : “You don’t seem quite so loving, my good friend; You are in health, and those firm loins and calves Show a good, solid state.” A sweetish smile Then flitted round her pale and yellow mouth. In my confusion there escaped the words, “They tell me you are married.” “ Yes,—it’s true!” She said, indifferently, and with a smile: “ I’ve got a wooden stick in leather cased Which calls itself a husband!—Lord!—but wood Is wood, and nothing else.” And then she laughed Harshly and contradictingly, till I Felt a cold terror running through my soul, And the doubt seized on me,—Are those the lips, The virgin-blossom lips, of my Maria? But then she rose in haste, and quickly caught Her Cashmere from a chair, and cast it on Around her neck, then hung her on my arm, And through the open door she led the way Through field and grove and glen, and ever on. The crimson-glowing disk of the late sun Was sweeping down, flashing a purple dream Upon the trees and flowers and the fair stream Which far away majestically flowed. “ See how the great gold eye is shimmering In the blue water!” cried Maria, in haste. “ Be silent, you poor creature!” I replied,172 THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. Seeing unearthly shades in the dim light: Strange cloudy forms winding in fairy wise Were flitting dreamily above the fields, Ever with soft white spirit arms embracing; And tenderly the violets looked on them, While all the lily-cups waved down together; Voluptuous heat in all the roses glowed, The pinks seemed flaming in their very breath, And all the flowers were flushed with strong perfume, And all of them in amorous rapture wept, And all of them cried out, “0 Love! Love! Love!” The butterflies came fluttering, and the bright Gold-beetles hummed their droning elfin lay; The evening breezes rustled, and the oaks Whispered, while melting sang the nightingale ; And, mid the whispering, rustling, singing sounds, With cold, unmusical, metallic voice The faded woman chattered by my side: “ I know your deeds by night up in the castle. The slender shadow’s a good-natured thing, That nods assent to every thing you will, And Blue Coat!—he’s an angel; but the Red, With a bare sword, hates you with all his heart.” And many other strangely-mingled words She chattered without pause, and then sat down, Wearied, beside me, on the mossy bench Which stands so low beneath the old oak-tree. And there we sat together, sad and still. Each looked at each, and either sadder grew. The oak-tree rustled as with dying sighs ; In agony the nightingale sang down.THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. 173 But a red light came shining through the leaves' And, flickering, flashed across her cold white face, Awaking a strange glow in the glassy eyes, And with the old sweet voice again she spoke: “How did you know my fearful misery ? I read it lately in your wild, sad songs.” An icy coldness crept through all my breast; At my own madness I was terrified, Which made of me a seer. Darkness rushed in; And, in my horror, I awoke from sleep. 94. DONNA CLARA. bem abenbltcfyen ©atten. JN the pleasant twilight garden The Alcalde’s daughter’s straying: Trump and drum from distant towers Send their music to the maiden. “I am weary of the dances, Of the flattery I’m weary, And of merry knights comparing • Me to the bright sun,—or Venus! “Yes, of all things I am weary, Since by moonlight gliding softly I first saw the knight whose lute-play Nightly to the window brought me. “As he stood so tall and stately, And his gleaming glances darted174 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. • From his pale and noble features, He was like Saint George the Warder.” So reflected Donna Clara, And, while musing, bowed her forehead. Looking up, she saw the handsome Unknown knight, who stood before her, Whispering love with love’s caresses, Straying where the moon shines sweetest, Where the breeze blows sweet assurance, Fairy-like the roses greet them. Fairy-like the roses greet them, Like love’s messengers red-glowing. “ But I beg you, darling, tell me Why your cheeks are flushed and rosy.” “A mosquito stung me, darling ; And they are in summer weather Quite as hateful things as though they All were long-nosed Jewish wretches.” “Never mind the stings or Jews, love,” Said the knight, caressing fondly: “See the showers of snowy blossoms From the almond-branches falling!” “ Showers of sweet and snowy blossoms Pour their perfume sweetly o’er me”— “But your heart,—is that, my darling, All and all to me devoted ?”THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. “Yes, I dearly love thee, darling; And I swear it by the Saviour Whom the God-accurse'd Hebrews Murdered treacherously, basely.” “Never mind the Hebrews, dearest,” Softly wooing, said the lover: “In the distance, dream-like waving, Snow-white lilies gleam in glory,— “Lilies in a light soft flowing, Yearning to the stars above them; But have you ne’er been false, my dearest, To the oath you swore to love me?” “Falsehood is not in me, darling: In my breast no drop is running Of the race of the Moresco, Or of Jews so vile and dirty.” “Never mind Jews or Morescos,” Said the knight, caressing softly. To a sheltered grove of myrtle He has led the Alcalde’s daughter. With the.soft fine snare of passion Daintily is Clara covered; Short his words, but long his kisses, And their hearts are overflowing. Like a luscious, melting bride-song Sings dame Nightingale, the dearest; In a merry marriage torch-dance Glow-worms on the ground are leaping.176 THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. In the bower all is silent, All is silent round the lovers, Save the whispering of the myrtles, And the flowers their breath recovering But the sound of drums and trumpets From the castle-towers comes pealing, And, awaking, Donna Clara From his warm embraces frees her. “Hear ! they call me now, my darling! Yet, before we part this evening, Let me know what the dear name is Which so long you’ve kept a secret.” And the lover, gayly smiling, Kissed his lovely lady’s fingers, Kissed her lips, too, and her forehead, And at length the words he whispers, “ I, Senora, I, your lover, Am the son of the much-honored, Great, and Scripture-learned Babbi, Israel of Saragoza.” 95. ALMANZOR 3>tt bent Some ju (Sorboba. I. TN Cordova’s grand cathedral Stand the pillars thirteen hundred ; Thirteen hundred giant pillars Bear the cupola, that, wonder.THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. 177 And on walls and dome and pillars, From the top to bottom winding, Flow the Arabic Koran proverbs, Quaintly and like flowers twining. Moorish monarchs once erected This fair pile to Allah’s glory; But in the wild dark whirl of ages Many a change has stolen o’er it. On the minaret, where the Mollah Called to prayer amid the turrets, Now the Christian bells are ringing With a melancholy drumming. On the steps where once the Faithful Sung the praises of the Prophet, Now the mass’s worn-out wonder To the world the bald priests offer. What a turning, what a twisting, By the puppets in odd draping) What a bleating, steaming, ringing, Round the foolish, flashing tapers! In Cordova’s grand cathedral Stands Almanzor ben Abdullah, Silently the pillars eyeing, And these words in silence murmuring: “ 0 ye strong and giant pillars, Once adorned in Allah’s glory, Now ye serve, and deck while serving, The detested faith now o’er us!178 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. “But if to the times ye’re suited, And ye calmly bear the burden, Surely it becomes the weaker Of such lore to be a learner.” So Almanzor hen Abdullah Smiled and bowed with cheerful motion O’er the decorated font-stone In the minster of Cordova. II. £afitg fdjrtii er auS bent Some. JJASTILY from the cathedral, Headlong on his wild horse riding, Went the knight, his ringlets waving, And with them his feathers flying, On the way to Alcolea, All along the Guadalquivir, By the perfumed golden orange And the almond's snow-white glitter. Onward flies the joyous rider, Whistling, singing, gayly laughing; And the birds with merry music, And the waterfall, sing after. In the castle Alcolea Dwells fair Clara de Alvarez. She is free now, since her fat’ne1 Wages battle in Navarra.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 179 In the distance drums and trumpets Sound a welcome to Almanzor, And he sees the castle-tapers Gleaming through the forest-shadows. In the castle Alcolea Twelve fair dames are gayly dancing; Twelve gay knights are dancing with them, Best of all Almanzor dances. As if whirled by gay caprices, Round the hall he gayly flutters, And by him to every lady Sweetest flattery is uttered. Isabella’s pretty fingers Then are kissed, and then he leaves her; Next he stands before Elvira, In her dark eyes archly peeping. Laughingly he asks Lenora If to-day he strikes her fancy; And he shows the golden crosses Richly broidered in his mantle. And he vows to every lady, “In my heart you live, believe me And “as true as I’m a Christian!” Thirty times he swore that evening. 13180 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. III. 3n bcm <5$lofe ju Stlcolea. JN the castle Alcolea Mirth and music cease their ringing; Lords and ladies are departed, And the tapers are extinguished. Donna Clara and Almanzor, Only they alone still linger : On them shines a single taper, With its light wellnigh extinguished. On her chair the dame is seated, On her footstool he is dozing ; Till his head, with slumber weary, On the knees he loves reposes. Now she pours attar of roses Cautiously, from golden vial, On the brown locks of Almanzor, And she hears him deeply sighing. Ever cautiously the lady Presses kisses sweet and loving On the brown locks of Almanzor; But his brow is clouded over. Ever cautiously the lady Weeps in floods, with anguish yearning, On the brown locks of Almanzor; And his lip with scorn is curling.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 181 And he dreams again he’s standing In the minster at Cordova, Bending with his brown locks dripping, Gloomy voices murmuring o’er him. And he hears the giant pillars Their impatient anger murmur: Longer they will not endure it, And they stand no longer firmly. And they wildly crash together. Deadly pale are priest and people. Down the cupola comes thundering, And the Christian gods are grieving. 96. THE PILGRIMAGE TO KEVLAAR. I. Sint genfiet fianb btc Gutter. rpHE mother stood at the window, In sick-bed lay her son: “Will you not rise up, William, Ere the pilgrim-train be gone?” “I am so ill, 0 mother,— I cannot hear or see: I think of my dead Margaret, And my heart is a pain to me.” “Rise! we will go to Kevlaar, Take prayer-book and rosary:182 THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. The Mother of God will heal again That poor sick heart in thee.” The sacred banners are rustling, The solemn psalm peals high: It was at Cologne in the Rhine-land That this procession went by. The mother followed the many; With her sad son went she, Both singing in the chorus, “ Blessed be thou, Marie !” II. 2>ie -Bhttter ©otteS gu Jtetolaar. rjlHE Virgin Mary at Kevlaar Puts on her best array; For she must be right busy With the sick who come to-day. And votive gifts are offered By many sickly bands, Limbs all from white wax modelled, And waxen feet and hands. And he who a wax hand offers, His hand will be free from pain ; And he who a wax foot offers, His foot will be well again. To Kevlaar went many on crutches Who now on the tight-rope bound, And many now play the viol Who had never a finger sound.THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 183 The mother took a taper, And made from the wax a heart: “ Take that to the Virgin Mary, And she will heal thy smart.” The son with the heart went sighing To the holy image there : Tears from his eyes came bursting, And there burst from his heart the prayer: “ Thou the most highly blessed! God’s purest handmaid thou! And queen, too, of the heaven! Hear all my sorrow now!— “ I lived, alone with mother, At Cologne, and in the town Where are many hundred churches And chapels of renown. “And near to us lived Margaret, Who is dead and gone away :— Mary, I bring thee a wax heart: Oh, heal my heart, I pray!” III. Set Srattfe ©oljrt unb bte Gutter. rpiE sickly son and his mother In their little chamber slept: There came the Holy Mother, And softly in she stept.184 THE HOMEWARD JOURHEY. Above the sick boy she bent her, While her hand all softly lay Upon his breast. Sweet smiling, She vanished far away. The mother saw all in dreaming, And more in her vision still, Then wakened from her slumber : The dogs were barking shrill. There lay at length before her Her son,—and he was dead! On his pale cheeks was playing The gleaming morning red. Her hands the mother folded, She felt she knew not how: Softly she sang, and piously, “ 0 Mary, blest be thou V* 1824. K “Nothing is permanent but change, nothing constant but death. Every pulsation of the heart inflicts a wound; and life would be an endless bleeding, were it not for Poetry. She secures to us what Nature would deny,—a golden age without rust, a spring which never fades, cloudless prosperity and eternal youth.” Borne. PROLOGUE. ©charge Stotfe, feib’ne ©truntyfe. JgLACK dress-coats and silken stockings, Snowy ruffles frilled with art, Gentle speeches and embraces:— Oh, if they but held a heart,— Held a heart within their bosom, Warmed by love which truly glows ! Ah—I’m wearied with their chanting Of imagined lovers’ woes ! 185186 THE HARTZ JOURNEY. I will climb upon the mountains, Where the quiet cabin stands, Where the wind blows freely o’er us, Where the heart at ease expands. I will climb upon the mountains, Where the dark-green fir-trees grow, Brooks are rustling, birds are singing, And the wild clouds headlong go. Then farewell, ye polished ladies, Polished men, and polished hall! I will climb upon the mountains, Smiling down upon you all. MOUNTAIN IDYLS. 1. 9luf bent Serge fie^t bie §utte. QN yon rock the hut is standing Of the ancient mountaineer: There the dark-green fir-trees rustle, And the moon is shining clear. In that hut there stands an arm-chair, Which quaint carvings beautify: He who sits therein is happy, And that happy man am I. On the stool a girl is sitting, On my lap her arms repose,— With her eyes like blue stars beaming, And her mouth a new-born rose.THE HARTZ JOURNEY. 187 And the dear blue stars shine on me; Full as heaven is their gaze; And her little lily finger Archly on the rose she lays. “Nay, your mother cannot see us, For she spins the whole day long; And your father plays the cithern As he sings a good old song.” And the girl so softly whispers, So that none around may hear,— Many a solemn little secret Has she murmured in my ear,— “Since I lost my aunt, who loved me, Now we never more repair To the shooting-ground at Goslar; And it is so pleasant there! “And up here it is so lonely On the rocks where cold winds blow; And in winter we are ever Deeply buried in the snow. “And I’m such a timid creature, And I’m frightened like a child At the evil mountain-spirits Who by night are raging wild.” At the thought the maid was silent, As if terror thrilled her breast; And the small hands, white and dimpled, To her sweet blue eyes she pressed.188 THE HARTZ JOURNEY. Loud without the fir-trees rustle, Loud the spinning-wheel still rings; And the cithern sounds above them, While the father softly sings, “Dearest child, no evil spirits Should have power to cause you dread; For good angels still are watching Night and day around your head.” 2. Jannenbaum ntti gtitnen gtngettt. -TREE with his dark-green fingers Taps upon the window low; And the moon, a yellow listener, Casts within her sweetest glow. Father, mother, both are sleeping, Near at hand their rest they take; But we two, in pleasant gossip, Keep each other long awake. “ That you pray, and much too often, Seems unlikely, I declare: On your lips there’s a contraction Which was never horn of prayer. “ Ah, that heartless, cold expression Terrifies me as I gaze; Though a solemn sorrow darkens In your eyes their gentle rays.THE HARTZ JOURNEY. 189 “And I doubt if you believe in What is held for truth by most: Have you faith in God the Father, In the Son and Holy Ghost?” “Ah, my darling, when an infant By my mother’s knee I stood, I believed in God the Father, He who rules us, great and good ; “ He who made the world so lovely, Gave man beauty, gave him force, And to sun and moon and planets Preappointed each their course. “As I older grew, my darling, And my way in wisdom won, I in reason comprehended And believe now in the Son,— “In the well-loved Son, who, loving, Oped the gates of Love so wide, And for thanks—as is the custom— By the world was crucified. “Now, at man’s estate arriving, Full experience I boast, And, with heart expanded, truly I believe in the Holy Ghost, ' “Who has worked the greatest wonders : Greater still he’ll work again: He has broken tyrants’ strong-holds, And he breaks the vassal’s chain.190 THE HARTZ JOURNEY. “Ancient deadly wounds still healing, He renews man’s ancient right: All to him, born free and equal, Are as nobles in his sight. “ Clouds of evil flee before him, And those cobwebs of the brain Which forbade us love and pleasure, Scowling grimly on our pain. “And a thousand knights well weaponed Has he chosen, and required To fulfil his holy bidding, All with noblest zeal inspired. “Lo! their precious swords are gleaming, And their banners wave in fight! What! you fain would see, my darling, Such a proud and noble knight ? “Well, then, gaze upon me, dearest; I am of that lordly host. Kiss me! I am an elected True knight of the Holy Ghost!” 3. <5ttl£ terbetft bet SJlonb fidj brctufceit. j^ILENTLY the moon goes hiding Down behind the dark-green trees; And the lamp which lights our chamber Flickers in the evening breeze.THE HAETZ JOUEHEY. 191 But the star-blue eyes are beaming Softly o’er the dimpled cheeks, And the purple rose is gleaming, While the gentle maiden speaks : “Little people—fairy goblins— Steal away our meat and bread: In the chest it lies at evening, In the morning it has fled. “From our milk the little people Steal the cream and all the best; Then they leave the dish uncovered, And our cat drinks up the rest. “And the cat’s a witch, I’m certain; For by night, when storms arise, Oft she glides to yonder ‘Ghost-Bock,’ Where the fallen tower lies. “There was once a splendid castle, Home of joy and weapons bright, Where there swept, in stately torch-dance, Lady, page, and armed knight. “But a sorceress charmed the castle, With its lords and ladies fair. Now it is a lonely ruin, And the owls are nestling there. “But my aunt has often told me, Could I speak the proper word, In the proper place up yonder, When the proper hour occurred,192 THE HARTZ JOURNEY. “ Then the walls would change by magic To a castle gleaming bright, And I’d see, in stately dances, Dame and page and gallant knight. “He who speaks the word of power Wins the castle for his own, And the knights, with drum and trumpet, Loud will hail him lord alone.” Thus sweet legendary pictures From the little rose-mouth bloom ; And the gentle eyes are shedding Star-blue lustre through the gloom. Bound my hand the little maiden Winds her gold locks as she will, Gives a name to every finger, Kisses, smiles, and then is still. All things in the silent chamber Seem at once familiar grown, As if e’en the chairs and clothes-press Well of old to me were known. Now the clock talks kindly, gravely, And the cithern, as ’twould seem, Of itself is faintly chiming, And I sit as in a dream. “Now the proper hour is o’er us; Here’s the place where’t should be heard: Child, how you would be astonished Should I speaJk the magic word!THE HAETZ JOUBUEY. 193 “ If I spoke that word, then fading Night would thrill in fearful strife, Brooks and streams would roar together, As the castle woke to life. “ Ringing lutes and goblin ditties From the rifted rock would sound; Like a mad and merry spring-tide Flowers grow forest-high around. “Flowers,—startling, wondrous flowers, Leaves of vast and fabled form, Strangely perfumed,—wildly quivering, As if thrilled with passion’s storm. “ Roses, wild as crimson flashes, O’er the busy tumult rise; Giant lilies, white as crystal, Shoot like columns to the skies. “ Great as suns the stars above us Gaze adown with burning glow; In the lilies’ giant calyx All their floods of flashes flow. “We ourselves, my little maiden, Would be changed more than all: Torch-light gleams, o’er gold and satin, Round us merrily would fall. “You yourself would be the princess, And this hut your castle high; Ladies, lords, and graceful pages Would be dancing, singing by.194 THE HAJEITZ JOURNEY. “ I, however, I have conquered You, and all things, with the word:— Serfs and castle,—lo! with trumpet, Loud they hail me as their lord I” THE SHEPHERD-BOY. •ftcntg ift bet §ittenfinabe. jgjVERY shepherd is a monarch, And a hillock is his throne; While the sun above him shining" Is his heavy golden crown. Sheep before his feet are lying, Softest flatterers, crossed with red ; And the calves are “ cavalieros,” Round they strut with haughty head. True court-players are the he-goats; And the wild-bird and the cow, With their piping and their herd-bell, Are the king’s musicians now. Ever ringing, singing sweetly, And as sweetly chime around, Waterfall and stately fir-trees, While the monarch slumbers sound. As he sleeps, his trusty sheep-dog As prime minister must reign : How his snarling and his barking Echo over hill and plain 1THE HAKTZ JOURNEY. Dozing, still the monarch murmurs, “ Sure such work was never seen As this reigning: I were happier Snug at home beside my queen! “There my royal head, when weary, In my queen’s arms softly lies, And my endless, broad dominion, In her deep and gentle eyes.” THE BBOCKEN. feller ttrirb e£ fdjon int Often. TN the East ’tis ever brighter, Though the sun is dimly gleaming: Far and wide the mountain-summits In the misty sea are swimming. Had I seven-mile boots for travel, With the wind in wild haste vying, Over yonder mountain-summits To her house would I go flying. From the bed where she is sleeping I would draw the curtain lightly, Softly kiss her on the forehead,— On the ruby lips as slightly. Yet more lightly I would whisper In the small white ear before me, “ Think in dreams that we ne’er parted, And that love is ever o’er me.”’ 14 195196 THE EAETZ J0UENEY. ' PRINCESS ILSE. 3<§ bin bie ^rinsejftn $tfe. J AM the Princess Use, And dwell in Ilsenstein : Come with me to my castle ; Thou shalt he blest,—and mine! With ever-flowing fountains I’ll cool thy weary brow: Thou’lt lose, amid the rippling, The cares which grieve thee now. In my white arms reposing, And on my snow-white breast, Thoul’t dream of old, old legends, And sink in joy to rest. I’ll kiss thee and caress thee, As in the ancient day I kissed the Emperor Henry, Who long has passed away. The dead are dead and silent: Only the living love ; And I am fair and blooming, —Dost feel my wild heart move ? And as my heart is beating, My crystal castle rings, Where many a knight and lady In merry measure springs.THE HARTZ JOURNEY. 197 Silk trains are softly rustling, Spurs ring from night to morn; And dwarfs are gayly drumming, And blow the golden horn. As round the Emperor Henry, My arms round thee shall fall: I held his ears,—he heard not The trumpet’s warning call.Motto : Xenophon’s Anabasis, IV. 7. PART FIRST. (1825.) 1. . HOMAGE. Siebet! tnetnc fluiett Stebct! "Y® poems! ye mine own valiant poems Up, up, and weapon ye! Let the loud trump be ringing, And lift upon my shield The fair young maiden Who now my heart in full Shall govern as a sovereign queen. All hail to thee, thou fair young queen! 198THE NORTH SEA, 199 From the sun above, me I tear the flashing, ruddy gold, And weave therefrom a diadem For thy all-holy head. From the fluttering, blue-silken heaven’s curtain, Wherein night’s bright diamonds glitter, I cut a costly piece, To hang as coronation-mantle Upon thy white, imperial shoulders, I give to thee, dearest, a city Of stiffly adorned sonnets, Proud triple verses, and courteous stanzas; My wit thy courier shall be, And for court-fool my fantasy, As herald, the soft smiling tears in my escutcheon, And with them my humor. But I myself, 0 gentle queen, I bow before thee, lowly, And, kneeling on scarlet velvet cushions, I here offer to thee The fragments of reason Which from sheer pity once were left to me By her who ruled before thee in the realm.200 THE NORTH SEA. 2. TWILIGHT. Sint blaffen StteereSfiranbe. /“\N the white strand of Ocean ^ Sat I, sore troubled in spirit, and lonely. The sun sank lower and lower, and cast Bed glowing shadows on the water, And the snow-white streaming billows, By the flood impelled, Foamed up while roaring nearer and nearer, A wondrous tumult, a whistling and whispering, A laughing and murmuring, sighing and washing, And mid them a lullaby known to- me only.— It seemed that I thought upon legends forgotten, World-old and beautiful stories, Which I once, when little, From the neighbors’ children had heard, When we, of summer evenings, Sat on the steps before the house-door, Bending us down to the" quiet narrative, With little hearts, a-listening, And curious, cunning glances, While near, the elder maidens, Close by sweet-smelling pots of roses, At the windows were calmly leaning, Bosy-hued faces, Smiling, and lit by the moon.THE NORTH SEA. 201 3. SUNSET. 2)ie glitfjettb totfje (Sonne fteigt. rpHE sun in crimsoned glory falls Down to the broad up-quivering Gray and silvery ocean-world; Airy figures, warm in rosy light, Wave-like roll after ; while eastward rising, From autumn-like darkening veils of vapor, With sorrowful death-pale features, Breaks the silent moon. Like sparks of light behind her, Cloud-distant, glimmer the planets. Once there shone in Heaven, Nobly united, Luna the goddess, and Sol the god, And the bright thronging stars in light swam round them, Their little and innocent children. But evil tongues came whispering quarrels, And they parted in anger, The mighty, light-giving spouses. Now, in the daytime, in loneliest light The sun-god walks yonder in glory, All for his lordliness Ever prayed to and sung by many, By haughty, heartless, prosperous mortals;202 THE FOETH SEA. But still by night In heaven wanders Luna, The wretched mother, With all her orphaned starry children; And she shines in silent sorrow, And soft-loving maidens and gentle poets Offer her songs and their sorrows. The tender Luna! woman at heart, Loving as ever her beautiful lord, And at evening, trembling and pale, Out she peeps from light cloud-curtains, And looks to the lost one in sorrow. Fain would she cry, in her anguish, “Come! Come! the children are longing for love!” In vain!—the haughty-souled god of fire Flashes forth at the sight of pale Luna In doubly deep purple, For rage and pain, And all unyielding he hastens down To his ocean-chilled and lonely bed. * * * * * Spirits whispering evil By their power brought pain and destruction Even to great gods eternal. And the poor deities, high in the heavens, Travel in sorrow,— Endless, disconsolate journeys; And they are immortal, Still bearing with them Their bright desolation.THE NORTH SEA. 203 But I, the mortal, Planted so lowly, with death to bless me, I sorrow no longer. 4. NIGHT ON THE SEA-SHORE. ©ternloS unb fcilt ift bte 2£a<$i. gTARLESS and cold is the night; The wild sea foams; And over the sea, flat on his face, Lies the monstrous, terrible North Wind, Sighing and sinking his voice as in secret, Like an old grumbler for once in good humor. Unto the ocean he talks, And he tells her wonderful stories,— Giant legends, murderous-humored, Very old Sagas of Norway, And midst them, far sounding, he howls while laughing Sorcery-songs from the Edda, Gray old Runic sayings, So darkly-daring and magical-mighty, That the snow-white sea-children High are springing and shouting, Drunk with wanton joy. Meanwhile, on the level, white sea-beach, Over the sand ever washed by the flood, Wanders a stranger with wild-storming spirit, And fiercer, far than wind and billow.204 THE NORTH SEA. Go where he may, Sparks are flashing and sea-shells are cracking, And he wraps him well in his iron-gray mantle, And quickly treads through the dark-waving Night, Safely led by a distant taper Which, guiding and gladdening, glimmers From the fisherman’s lonely hovel. Father and brother are on the sea, And all alone and sad there sits In the hovel the fisher’s daughter,— The wondrous-lovely, fisher’s daughter. By the hearth sits she, Listening to the boiling kettle’s Sweet prophetic, domestic humming, Scattering light-crackling wood on the fire, And blows on it, Till the flashing, ruddy flame-rays Shine again in magic lustre On her beautiful features, On her tender, snow-white shoulder, Which, moving, comes peeping Over heavy, dark-gray linen, And on the little, industrious hand, Which more firmly binds her under-garment Round her well-formed figure. But lo! at once the door springs wide, And there enters in haste the benighted stranger; Love-assuring rest his glances On the foam-white slender maiden, Who trembling near him stands,THE NORTH SEA. 205 Like a storm-terrified lily; And he casts on the floor his mantle, And laughs, and speaks: “ Seest now, my child, I keep my word; For I am come, and with me comes The olden time, when the bright gods of heaven Came once more to the daughters of mortals, And the daughters of mortals embraced them, And from them gave birth to Sceptre-carrying races of monarchs, And heroes astounding the world. Yet stare not, my child, any longer At my divinity, And, I entreat you, make some tea with rum, For without, it is cold, And by such a night air We too oft freeze,—yes, we, the undying,— And easily catch the divinest catarrhs And coughs, which may last us forever.” 5. POSEIDON. 2>te ©ormentidjier fjneliett. rp HE sun’s bright rays were playing Over the far-away-rolling sea; Out in the harbor glittered the ship Which to my home ere long should bear me; But we wanted favorable breezes,206 THE NORTH SEA. And I still sat calm on the snow-white sea-beach, Alone on the strand, And I read the song of Odysseus, The ancient, ever new-born song ; And from its ocean-rippled pages Joyfully there rose to me The breath of immortals, And the light-giving human spring-tide, And the soft blooming heaven of Hellas. My noble heart accompanied truly The son of Laertes in wandering and sorrow, Set itself with him, troubled in spirit, By bright-gleaming firesides, By fair queens, winning, purple-spinning, And helped him to lie and escape, glad singing, From giant caverns and nymphs seducing, Followed behind in fear-boding night, And in storm and shipwreck, And thus suffered with him unspeakable sorrow. Sighing I spoke : “ Thou evil Poseidon, Thy wrath is fearful, And I myself dread For my own voyage homeward.’* The words were scarce spoken "When up foamed the sea, And from the snow-white waves arose The mighty bulrush-crowned sea-god, And scornful he cried:THE NORTH SEA. 207 “ Be not afraid, small poet! I will not in the least endanger Thy wretched vessel, Nor put thy precious being in terror With all too significant shaking. For thou, small poet, hast troubled me not; Thou hast no turret—though trifling—destroyed In the great sacred palace of Priam, Nor one little eyelash hast thou e’er singed In the eye of my son Polyphemus; Thee with her counsels did never protect The goddess of wisdom, Pallas Athene.” And so spake Poseidon, And sank him again in the sea; And over the vulgar sailor-joke There laughed under the water Amphitrite, the fat old fish-wife, And the stupid daughters of Nereus. 6. DECLARATION. £>ercmgebatnmett font bet Slbenb. /~\NWARD dimly came the evening, Wilder tumbled the waves,, And I sat on the strand, beholding The swan-like dance of the billows ; And then my breast swelled up like the sea, And, longing, there seized me a deep home-sick- ness For thee, thou lovely form,208 THE HOBTH SEA. Who everywhere art by me, And everywhere dost call, Everywhere, everywhere, In the rustling of breezes, the roaring of Ocean, And in the sighing of this my sad heart. With a light reed I wrote in the sand: “ Agnes, I love but thee!” But wicked waves came washing fast Over the tender confession, And wore it away. Thou too fragile reed, thou false shifting sand, Ye swift-flowing waters, I trust ye no more! The heaven grows darker, my heart grows wilder, And, with strong right hand, from Norway’s forests I’ll tear the highest fir-tree, And dip it adown Into ^Etna’s hot glowing gulf, and with such a Fiery, flaming, giant graver I’ll inscribe on heaven’s jet-black cover, “Agnes, I love but thee !” And every night I’ll witness, blazing Above me, the endless flaming verse, And even the latest races born from me Will read, exulting, the heavenly motto: “Agnes, I love but thee!”THE NORTH SEA. 209 7. BY NIGHT IN THE CABIN. yjletx tjat feme ^crlen. rpHE sea has many pearl-drops, The heaven has many planets, But this fond heart, my heart, My heart has tender true love. Great is the sea and the heaven, Yet greater is my heart; And fairer than pearl-drops or planets Flashes the love in my bosom. My little gentle maiden, Come to my beating heart; My heart, and the sea, and the heaven, Are lost in loving frenzy. * * * * * • On the dark-blue heaven-curtain, Where the lovely stars are gleaming, Fain would I my lips be pressing, Press them wildly, storm-like weeping. And those planets are her bright eyes But a thousand times repeated; And they shine and greet me kindly From the dark-blue heaven-curtain. To the dark-blue heavenly curtain, To the eyes I love so dearly, High my hands I raise devoutly, And I pray, and I entreat her:210 THE NORTH SEA. “ Lovely eyes, ye lights of mercy, Oh, I pray ye, bless my spirit; Let me perish, and exalt me Up to ye, and to your heaven.” * * * , * * From the heavenly eyes above me Snow-like sparks are trembling, falling Through the night, and all my spirit Wide in love flows forth and wider. Oh, ye heavenly eyes above me! Weep your tears upon my spirit, That those living tears of starlight O’er my soul may gently ripple. * * * * * Cradled calm by waves of ocean, And by wondrous dreaming, musing Still *1 lie within the cabin, In my gloomy corner hammock, Through the open hatchway gazing Yonder to the gleaming starlight, To the dearest, sweetest glances Of my sweetest, much-loved maiden. Yes, those sweetest, best-loved glances Calm above my head are shining; They are ringing, they are peeping, From the dark-blue vault of heaven. To the dark-blue vault of heaven Many an hour I gaze in rapture,THE NORTH SEA. 211 Till a snow-white cloudy curtain Hides from me the best-loved glances. On the planking of the vessel, Where my light dreaming head lies, Leap up the waters,—the wild, dark waters. They ripple and murmur Eight straight in my ear: “Thou crazy companion! Thy arm is short, and the heaven is far, And the stars up yonder are nailed down firmly; In vain is thy longing, in vain is thy sighing • The best thou canst do is to go to sleep.” ***** And I was dreaming of a heath so dreary, Forever mantled with the sad, white snow, And ’neath the sad white snow I lay deep buried, And slept the lonely ice-cold sleep of death. And yet on high from the dark heaven were gazing Adown upon my grave the starlight glances, Those sad, sweet glances! and they gleamed vic- torious, So calmly cheerful, and yet full of true love. 15212 THE NOBTH SEA. 8. STORM. (§3 toiitfjet bet 6turnt. J^OUD rages the storm, And he whips the waves, And the waters, rage-foaming and rearing, Tower on high, and with life there come rolling The snow-white water-mountains, And the vessel ascends them, Earnest striving, Then quickly it darts adown, In jet-black, wide opening, watery abysses. OSea! Mother of Beauty, born of the foam-billow! Great Mother of all Love! be propitious! There flutters, corpse-foreboding, Around us the spectre-like sea-gull, And whets his sharp bill on the topmast, And yearns with hunger-lust for the heart Of him who sounded the praise of thy daughter, And which thy grandson, the little rogue, Chose for a plaything. In vain my entreaties and tears! My plainings are lost in the terrible storm, Mid war-cries of north winds; There’s a roaring and whistling, a crackling and howling, Like a mad-house of noises! And amid them I hear distinctlyTHE HOKTH SEA. 213 Sweet enticing harp-tones, Melody mad with desire, Spirit-melting and spirit-rending; Well I remember the voices. Far on the rocky coast of Scotland, Where the old gray castle towers Over the wild breaking sea, In a lofty arched window There stands a lovely sickly dame, Softly transparent and marble pale, And she plays on the harp and sings; And through her long locks the wind is waving, And bears her gloomy song Over the broad, white, storm-rolling sea. 9. CALM AT SEA. SKemSftitte! 3*>te