The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume V Part 28

"In the days that are gone, we were playmates so true; Like brother and sister we played, I and you.

Our love was still constant in joy or in pain-- But alas for the days that will ne'er come again!

"You learned to toss proudly your glorious head, And roar, as you tossed it, a warning of dread; I grew from a babe to a woman--you see, No longer a light-hearted child I can be.

"Oh, would that those days had had never an end, My splendid strong playmate, my n.o.ble old friend!

But soon I must go, so my parents decree, Away with a stranger--no more am I free.

"A man has beheld me, and fancied me fair; He has asked for my hand--and the wreath's in my hair!

Dear faithful old comrade, my girlhood is dead; And my sight is bedimmed with the tears I have shed.

"Do you know what I mean? Ah, your look is a sign!

I have made up my mind, and you need not repine.

But yonder he comes who must lead me away-- So I'll give the last kiss to my playmate today!"

As the last fond farewell with reluctance she took, The huge frame so trembled the bars even shook; But when, drawing near a strange man he espied, A sudden alarm seized the heart of the bride.

The lion stands guard by the door of the cage-- He is las.h.i.+ng his tail, he is roaring with rage.

With threats, with entreaties she bids him to cease, But in vain--in his might he denies her release.

Without are confusion and cries of despair "Bring a gun!" shouts the bridegroom; "our one hope is there!

I will s.n.a.t.c.h her away from his horrible claws * * *"

But the lion defies him with foam-dripping jaws.

The girl makes a last frenzied dash for the door-- But his past love the beast seems to measure no more; The sweet slender body goes down 'neath his might, All bleeding and lifeless, a pitiful sight.

Then, as if he knew well what a crime he had wrought, He throws himself down by her, caring for naught; He lies all unheeding what dangers remain, Till the bullet avenging speeds swift through his brain.

WOMAN'S LOVE AND LIFE[39] (1830)

1

Since mine eyes beheld him, Blind I seem to be; Wheresoe'er they wander, Him alone they see.

Round me glows his image, In a waking dream; From the darkness rising Brighter doth it beam.

All is drear and gloomy That around me lies; Now my sister's pastimes I no longer prize; In my chamber rather Would I weep alone; Since my eyes beheld him Blind methinks I'm grown.

2

He, the best of all, the n.o.blest, O how gentle! O how kind Lips of sweetness, eyes of brightness, Steadfast courage, lucid mind.

As on high, in Heaven's azure, Bright and splendid, beams yon star, Thus he in my heaven beameth, Bright and splendid, high and far.

Wander, wander where thou listest, I will gaze but on thy beam; With humility behold it, In a sad, yet blissful dream.

Hear me not thy bliss imploring With prayer's silent eloquence?

Know me now, a lowly maiden, Star of proud magnificence!

May thy choice be rendered happy By the worthiest alone!

And I'll call a thousand blessings Down on her exalted throne.

Then I'll weep with tears of gladness; Happy, happy then my lot!

If my heart should rive asunder, Break, O heart--it matters not!

3

Is it true? O, I cannot believe it; A dream doth my senses enthrall; O can he have made me so happy, And exalted me thus above all?

Meseems as if he had spoken, "I am thine, ever faithful and true!"

Meseems--O still am I dreaming-- It cannot, it cannot be true!

O fain would I, rocked on his bosom, In the sleep of eternity lie; That death were indeed the most blissful, In the rapture of weeping to die.

4

Help me, ye sisters, Kindly to deck me, Me, O the happy one, aid me this morn!

Let the light finger Twine the sweet myrtle's Blossoming garland, my brow to adorn!

As on the bosom Of my loved one, Wrapt in the bliss of contentment, I lay, He, with soft longing In his heart thrilling, Ever impatiently sighed for today.

Aid me, ye sisters, Aid me to banish Foolish anxieties, timid and coy, That I with sparkling Eye may receive him, Him the bright fountain of rapture and joy.

Do I behold thee, Thee, my beloved one, Dost thou, O sun, shed thy beam upon me?

Let me devoutly, Let me in meekness Bend to my lord and my master the knee!

Strew, ye fair sisters, Flowers before him, Cast budding roses around at his feet!

Joyfully quitting Now your bright circle, You, lovely sisters, with sadness I greet.

5

Dearest friend, thou lookest On me with surprise, Dost thou wonder wherefore Tears suffuse mine eyes?

Let the dewy pearl-drops Like rare gems appear, Trembling, bright with gladness, In their crystal sphere.

With what anxious raptures Doth my bosom swell!

O had I but language What I feel to tell!

Come and hide thy face, love, Here upon my breast, In thine ear I'll whisper Why I am so blest.

Now the tears thou knowest Which my joy confessed, Thou shalt not behold them, Thou, my dearest, best; Linger on my bosom, Feel its throbbing tide; Let me press thee firmly, Firmly, to my side!

Here may rest the cradle, Close my couch beside, Where it may in silence My sweet vision hide; Soon will come the morning, When my dream will wake, And thy smiling image Will to life awake.

6