"T is the water-nymphs, that are singing Their roundelays under me. Let them sing, my friend, let them murmur, BEWARE! FROM THE GERMAN. I KNOW a maiden fair to see, She can both false and friendly be, She has two eyes, so soft and brown, She gives a side-glance and looks down, 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, 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, To the church doth hie! 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! 69 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, THE BLACK KNIGHT. " And sawest thou on the turrets "Led they not forth, in rapture, "Well saw I the ancient parents, THE BLACK KNIGHT. 71 FROM THE GERMAN OF UHLAND. "T WAS 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; When he rode into the lists, The arch of heaven grew black with mists, And the castle 'gan to rock. At the first blow, Fell the youth from saddle-bow, Pipe and viol call the dances, Torch-light through the high halls glances; Waves a mighty shadow in; With manner bland Doth ask the maiden's hand, Doth with her the dance begin; Danced in sable iron sark, Danced a measure weird and dark, 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 The ancient King reclined, Gazed at them in silent thought. Pale the children both did look, But the guest a beaker took; "Golden wine will make you whole!” The children drank, Gave many a courteous thank; "O that draught was very cool!" |