Translations Of German Poetry In American Magazines 1741-1810 Part 9

On right and left, on left and right, Trees, hills, and towns flew past their sight, As on they breathless prest; "With the bright moon, like death we speed, "Doth Leonora fear the dead?"

"Ah! leave the dead at rest."

Behold, where in the moon's pale beam, As wheels and gibbets faintly gleam, Join'd hand in hand, a crowd Of imps and spectres hover nigh, Or round a wasted wretch they fly, When William calls aloud:

"Hither, ye airy rabble, come, "And follow till I reach my home; "We want a marriage dance."

As when the leaves on wither'd trees, Are rustled by an edying breeze, The muttering sprites advance.

But, soon with hurried steps, the crew Rush'd prattling on, for William flew, Clasp'd by the frighted fair: Swifter than shafts, or than the wind, While struck from earth fire flash'd behind, Like lightnings through the air.

Not only flew the landscape by, The clouds and stars appear'd to fly.

"Thus over hills and heath "We ride like death; say, lovely maid, "By moon-light dost thou fear the dead?"

"Ah! speak no more of death."

"The c.o.c.k hath crow'd--Away! away!

"The sand ebbs out: I scent the day.

"On! on! away from here!

"Soon must our destin'd course be run, "The dead ride swift,--hurrah! 'tis done, "The marriage bed is near."

High grated iron doors, in vain Barr'd their way.--With loosened rein Whil'st William urg'd the steed, He struck the bolts;--they open flew, A churchyard drear appear'd in view; Their path was o'er the dead.

As now, half veil'd by clouds, the moon With feebler ray, o'er objects shone, Where tombstones faint appear, A grave new dug arrests the pair, Cry'd William, and embrac'd the fair, "Our marriage bed is here."

Scarce had he spoke, when, dire to tell, His flesh like touchwood from him fell, His eyes forsook his head.

A skull, and naked bones alone, Supply the place of William gone, 'Twas Death that clasp'd the maid.

Wild, snorting fire, the courser rear'd, As wrapp'd in smoke he disappear'd, Poor Leonora fell; The hideous spectres hover round, Deep groans she hears from under ground, And fiends ascend from h.e.l.l.

They dance, and say, in dreadful howl, "She asks no mercy for her soul; "Her earthly course is done.

"When mortals, rash and impious! dare "Contend with G.o.d, and court despair, "We claim them as our own."

"Yet," thus was heard, in milder strains, "Call on the Lord, while life remains, "Unite your heart to his; "When man repents and is resign'd, "G.o.d loves to soothe his suff'ring mind, "And grant him future bliss."

"We claim as ours, who impious dare "Contend with G.o.d, and court despair;"

Again the spectres cry'd.

"Fate threats in vain, when man's resign'd, "G.o.d loves to soothe the suff'ring mind,"

The gentler voice reply'd.

Leonora, e'er her sense was gone, Thus faint exclaim'd,--"thy Will be done, "Lord, let thy anger cease."

Soft on the wind was borne the pray'r; The spectres vanish'd into air, And all was hush'd in peace.

Now redd'ning tints the skies adorn, And streaks of gold, proclaim the morn; The night is chas'd away.

The sun ascends, new warmth he gives, New hope, new joy; all nature lives, And hails the glorious day.

No more are dreadful fantoms near; Love and his smiling train, appear; They cull each sweetest flow'r, To scatter o'er the path of youth, To deck the bridal bed, when Truth And Beauty own their pow'r.

Ah,--could your pow'r avert the blast Which threatens Bliss!--could pa.s.sion last!

Ye dear enchanters tell; What purer joy could Heaven bestow, Than when with shar'd affection's glow Our panting bosoms swell?

Sweet spirits wave the airy wand, Two faithful hearts your care demand; Lo! bounding o'er the plain, Led by your charm, a youth returns; With hope, his breast impatient burns; Hope is not always vain.

"Wake, Leonora!--wake to Love!

For thee, his choicest wreath he wove;"

Death vainly aim'd his Dart.

The Past was all a dream; she woke-- He lives;--'twas William's self who spoke, And clasp'd her to his Heart.

_Balto. Weekly Mag._, I-280, Apr. 29, 1801, Balto.

[G. A. Burger, _Lenore_. The last eight stanzas are an invention of the translator.]

For the Portfolio.

Mr. Old School,

If you permit a truant to peep into your literary seminary, he will venture to present you with the inclosed hastily written lines, as a peace offering; but shall not be irritated beyond measure, should you choose to convert it into a _burnt offering_, as a just punishment for time misspent.

At any rate, the sentence you shall pa.s.s, shall not be appealed from.

Your sincere well-wisher,

The Author.

DAMON AND DAPHNE, AN IDYLL, (Matrimonial,) Attempted from Gessner.

DAMON.

The gloomy tempest, Daphne, has blown o'er, The thunder's awful voice is heard no more; Tremble not then, my girl, the lightning's blaze Through the dark cloud, no longer darts its rays.

Let us this arbour leave, the blue sky greet, For, see, the sheep that sought this safe retreat, Now from their fleeces shake the drops of rain, And spread them o'er the bright'ning mead again, Let us then leave this fav'rite shelt'ring bower, To taste the beauties of this balmy hour; To view the sunbeams gild the moisten'd ground, And throw their rich and radiant glory round.

As from the grotto, hand in hand they past, The gentle Daphne on her partner cast Her swimming eyes, pressing his honest hand.

DAPHNE.

How lovely looks the gay, the smiling land, She said; while through the scattering cloud appears The blue sky, dissipating all our fears.

The clouds, as through the air they quickly pa.s.s, Hurry their shadows o'er the glist'ning gra.s.s.

See, Damon, now, o'er yonder hill they throw Their shade o'er herds and cottages, and lo!

They're flown, and while o'er flowery meads they run, The hill's again illumin'd by the sun.

DAMON.

The rainbow view, from hill to hill expand, Its radiant arches o'er the laughing land; 'Midst the grey cloud, a happy omen shows; With peace and safety every colour glows: The quiet valley smiles beneath its beams, And owns its beauties in her gliding streams.

Daphne with gentle arm embrac'd her swain; And cried;

DAPHNE.

See balmy zephyrs breathe again; More cheerful with the flowers they sport and play, Dress'd by the drops of rain and light of day.

The b.u.t.terflies, in richest coats array'd, And fluttering insects joy to leave the shade, Their velvet wings in quick vibrations shake, While on the surface of the neighbouring lake, Of shrubs and willows, wash'd from every stain, The trembling branches glitter once again; Again the peasant in its bosom sees The heaven's blue concave and the spreading trees.