1 I know not what came o'er me, Is this the way I was going? What do I say of a murmur? 'Tis the water-nymphs, that are singing Let them sing, my friend, let them murmur, And wander merrily near; The wheels of a mill are going In every brooklet clear. Trust her not, She is fooling thee! She has two eyes, so soft and brown, She gives a side-glance and looks down Beware! Beware! Trust her not, She is fooling thee! And she has hair of a golden hue, Take care! And what she says, it is not true, Beware! Beware! Trust her not, She is fooling thee! She has a bosom as white as snow, Take care! She knows how much it is best to show, Beware! Beware! Trust her not, She is fooling thee! She gives thee a garland woven fair, It is a fool's-cap for thee to wear, Trust her not, She is fooling thee! SONG OF THE BELL. FROM THE GERMAN. BELL! thou soundest merrily, Bell! thou soundest merrily ; Bell! thou soundest mournfully Parting hath gone by! Say! how canst thou mourn? Thou art but metal dull! Thou dost feel them all! God hath wonders many, THE CASTLE BY THE SEA. FROM THE GERMAN OF UHLAND. "HAST thou seen that lordly castle, The clouds float gorgeously. "And fain it would stoop downward "Well have I seen that castle, "The winds and the waves of ocean, Didst thou hear, from those lofty chambers, The harp and the minstrel's rhyme ?" "The winds and the waves of ocean, But I heard on the gale a sound of wail, "And sawest thou on the turrets "Led they not forth, in rapture, "Well saw I the ancient parents, They were moving slow, in weeds of woe, THE BLACK KNIGHT. FROM THE GERMAN OF UHLAND. 'TWAS Pentecost, the Feast of Gladness, Of ancient Hofburg's walls, A luxuriant Spring shall break." Drums and trumpets echo loudly, Fell all the cavaliers, Before the monarch's stalwart son. To the barrier of the fight Rode at last a sable Knight. "Sir Knight! your name and scutcheon, say!" "Should I speak it here, Ye would stand aghast with fear ; I am a Prince of mighty sway !" When he rode into the lists, The arch of heaven grew black with mists, At the first blow, Fell the youth from saddle-bow, Pipe and viol call the dances, Torch-light through the high halls glances; With manner bland Doth ask the maiden's hand, Doth with her the dance begin; Danced in sable iron sark, Down fall from her the fair Flowerets, faded, to the ground. To the sumptuous banquet came "Twixt son and daughter all distraught, With mournful mind Gazed at them in silent thought. Pale the children both did look, whole !" Gave many a courteous thank; Each the father's breast embraces, Whichever way Looks the fear-struck father gray, "Woe! the blessed children both From his hollow, cavernous breast, 66 SONG OF THE SILENT LAND. FROM THE GERMAN OF SALIS. INTO the Silent Land! Ah! who shall lead us thither? Clouds in the evening sky more darkly gather, Thither, O thither Into the Silent Land? Into the Silent Land! To you, ye boundless regions Of all perfection! Tender morning visions Of beauteous souls! The Future's pledge and band! Who in Life's battle firm doth stand, Shall bear Hope's tender blossoms Into the Silent Land! |