\¥ii.S.'v'itVAViSif. rr^>-' rv,, f*. Jf' .^ «f Vi ^. fr BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Henrs M. Sage 1891 .j....^M24-^. ^z/zM- ""''liiMiNiiiiilMS"* *™'" ••'e German of 3 1924 026 152 557 DATE DUE Mijm^ T NOV GAYLORD PRINTED IM U.S A. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026152557 Metrical Translations from the Gernum. S'lj, ■ m. #; I'j. ■ « Metrical Translations fro tn ( I I / ■ '''v\ h^, the German , , | , of G(ETHE, SCHILLER, UHLAND, HEINE and others by a Qerman lady. HAMB17HO, ISSS. Agent nr dos Rauhon Ha uses. Williams & Norgate. 14 Henrietta Street, Covent- Garden. S Contents. Page Introduction s I. Ooethe. 1, Tlie Dedication of „Faust." 7 ». Margaret's Song in Faust ,,._ , 9 3. Prometheus i« 4. Mignon it. : 14 5. Mignon's last song 16 6. The Harper's song in Wilhelm Meister ; '..;.' I8 7. Clara's song in Egmont .'.'.;■.'.'. .'.' 19 8 . Song of the Fates in Iphigenia so 9. To the Moon • ;....;.... M 10. The Rescue ; ..I..... I... 84 11. The shepherds complaint 26 i«. The Minstrel «8 13. To a Golden Heart worn about his neck : • 30 14. The Fisherman :;.......' ; . . 31 15. Answers to the questions put during a round game 33 16. The Hunter's Evening song .......'. S6 17. The king of Thule ■ 38 18. The Violet ■■. 40 19. The rosebud on the heather " it VI Page 80. The Wanderer's Night-Song 44 «l. Another ditto 45 ii. Charm of Sadness 46 23. Sweet Cares 47 84. Spirit's greeting 48 eo. Comfort in lears .-m-ISfJ)'?- •'•'■ *® II. iSchiller. iir)itoiiti(>i;iil 86. Resignation 53 87. Cassandra 58 28, Breadth and Depth 64 89. Hector's Farewell 66 30. The Ideals ,^fg^^. III. Uhland. uon-gar ,■ 31. The Hostess' Daughter -.ri- t '5 38. Grossing the stream rv;'':- ■• • • ■ • ■ ?' 33. Vengeance 79 34. Repose in Spring 80 35. „Sweetest, mildest day of spring" . 81 36. To Her , . 88 37. Answer , 83 38. The Critic's song in Spring 84 89. The nightly traveller 86 40. The Serenade ■•■.;•■ ,. . 88 41. The Dream 89 48. To. the Departed ••••■• , 90 43. The new Fairy-tale 98 44. Seriousness of our Times ,; ...,...,,,.. 93 VII Page 45. To the Girls : ; . ;■'!.■ 94 46. Fare thee well, oh farewell, dear, to thee I 95 47. The tree songs ^'.>. 96 48. The Castle by the sea shore 98 IV. nci ■ ts, Heine. 49. Sunset 1U3 Stt. Lor6ley , -. , .„. . , , — IQS 51. „0n my life so dark and dreary" , . lO? 58. „0h come, the old fisher's fair daugther" , 108 53. „Thou art like a flower, holy" , 109 54. „When 1 have told you all my sorrow" I lO 55. „'When 1 come past thy dwelling" in 56. „1 entered again" J 13 57. „How canst thou sleep in quiet" H4 58. ,,What means that solitary tear" 115 59. „0h heart, Poor heart, be not so sad" 1 17 60. „Wise saws and much advice were given" lis 61. „Thon hast both pearls and diamonds" 119 6«, „TeU, where is thy love, so lovely" ISO V. Various Authors. 63. „What's kindred will be joining" . !/i-crl*«.*t!fc 123 64. Sailors' Song . . ^-iklVYH^ 125 65. The flower of Home .Ct{,4^^tJl^M^. 127 66. The tell-tales . . S'J^VJ^^9>^QViW. . .;...'.. 160 83. After the Storm Vi.VV... .... . ........... ...;;'.".: ..... . I6ii 84. The kind old man . : ;'.'. .'!'; . . . ; .'. 166 >l-i ti .il'.. X; ii it if «'? Introduction. As I was wandring on the yellow sand, A voice uprose and spoke on that lone shore; Unlist'ning on my way I might not wend, But caught the words mingling with Ocean's roar; The murm'ring voice then rose into command: 1 knew the tone which I had heard of yore; 'Twas wont with high aspirings to invite, And aye was heard, though fruitless, with delight. And now it spoke again and said: „Arise ! „Look to that side, across the heaving Main — „What dost thou see?" There rose before mine eyes Beyond the sea, a broad and fertile plain; Cliffs gird its sides, and wooded mountains rise, And waving seas the prospect close again ; 1 knew the land I but in dreams had seen: 'Tis Albion's blessed isle, the Ocean Queen! - 4 - Then said the spirit voice: „Thy longing gaze „Was often bent on yonder glorious isle „Which never thou couldst reach; to thread the maze „0f her rich varied language, would beguile „Thy leisure hours, and oft through Ocean's haze, „0n thee her poets' beaming glories smile. „StiU that admiring glow ne'er yet found words: ^Strike now aloud the lyre's respondent chords! „And from the flowers which thy country brings, „Where heavenly dews have dropp'd on fertile ground „Choose fairest blossoms, which in rival springs ^Throughout the blooming wilderness are found; „If these thy care in one bright garland strings, „Choosing with anxious toil from all around; j,lf delicately touching them, thy hand „Harms not the fairy creatures thou wouldst blend. »Then fearlessly commit them to the flood, „Whose flowing waters Britain's outskirts lave, „For I will tutore all the sea-winds rude pWith lulling breath to soothe the stormy wave, „And the frail garland twined in solitude, slf worthy, I will guide, protect and save I" Then ceased that voice — and mine 1 tried to lift: Behold the garland I have turned adrift! GOETHE. 2. The JDedication of ,,VaM8t." ,,lhr riaht euch wieder, sehwankeude Gestalten." Will you approach, ye forms indefinite. Again, and such as past my troubled eye. In my life's morning- once ye used to flit; This time to hold you fast, shall I not try? Is my heart still inclined to that deceit? Reign as you list, if you will still draw nig-h, Ye mist-born tribe, my bosom thrills again With youth, while breathing Magic in your train. With you the image of the joyful Past And many well-beloved shades will rise Like tales tradition darkly has amassed. First love, first friendship comes before my eyes With pang renewed my plaint calls from the Past The mazy labyrinth where life's course lies Calls on those friends by grudging fortune torn From fairest hours, who left me here forlorn. 8 The souls who once my early songs enjoyed They are not listening to my later lay, The friendly crowd is scattered or destroyed And the first echo, lo I has died away. The praise of strangers of delight is void, Yet none but such applaud my sorrowing say; They who with partial fondness used to hear If still alive, are scatter'd far or near. And now I feel a yearning all unused For that far realm of spirits sad and high. Into my song a vagueness is infused; Like the Aeolian harp-strings' whispering sigh A trembling o'er me comes, my tears are loosed To softness melts the heart's severity, What I possess before my soul's eye flies And what is gone grows to realities. 2. JfEargaifet's Song in „Vaust. „Meiiie Ruh ist hiii." Hly heart is oppress'd, My peace is gone, I seek for rest And can find none. The grave's gloom conies o'er me Where he is not; The wide world before me I heed it not. Alas! my poor head, 'Tis all astray; Alas! my poor sense, It wanders away; - 10 - My heart is oppress'd, My peace is gone, I seek for rest And can find none. I watch at the window To see him appear, I run from my chamber To meet him when near. His lofty step And his noble mien, The might of his eye And his smile's bright sheen ; And of his speech The magic flow. His hand's soft pressure His kisses' glow I, My heart is oppress'd. My peace is gone, I seek for rest And can find none. My lone breast aches And longs for him, My poor heart breaks To be with him. - 11 - Strained to his bosom To kiss my fill, Panting and dying To lie there still! 12 3. Prometheuti. „Bedecke deiiien Himmel, Zeus.' HOW cover up thy skies, oh Jove! with clouds, And like the boy, cutting- the thistles' heads. Do try thy strength on oaks and mountain tops! Mine earth thou must let stand. The hut thou didst not build, the hearth whose flame Thou enviest me. Nought poorer know I whereon shines the sun Than yon, ye Gods, feeding so scantily Your majesty with fumes of sacrifice And breath of prayers; reduced to fast and starve If children and if beg-gars were not still Hope-hunting- fools. When I was yet a child — Yet half unconscious of the things that are, Mine eye astray 1 bent. Upon the sun, as if beyond him were An ear to hear my plaint, a heart like mine Full of soft pity for the sufferer's pain. - 13 - Who assisted me Against the Titan's overbearing pride? From Death, from Slavery, who has rescued me? Didst thou not all accomplish it thyself My holy glov\'ing heart? So young, so trustful And so imposed upon, — thy thanks for safety Went glowing upwards To bless the Sleeper there! And Thee, I'd honour? Why should I do so? Wherefore ?• Didst thou ever Allay the pains of the Distressed? Didst ever Yet dry the tears of the Troubled? Did not allmighty Time forge out of me The Man, and Fate eternal — E'en these, my lords and thine. Deeme'st thou, may-be, I should hate Ufe and into deserts fly, Because not all my blooming dreams would ripen? Here I sit, forming men after my image, A-race to be like me, to endure, to weep, But likewise to enjoy and to rejoice, And not to heed Thee, Like me I 14 4. Mignon. ..Keiinst du das Land." Know ye the land where lemon flowers blow, Thro' the dark foliag-e steals the orange's glow, Where a soft wind plays' neath the clear blue sky, Where stands the myrtle and the laurel high? Know ye that land? Thither would J Full fain with thee, oh my protector fly! Know ye the house? Pillars surround it's side, The glitt'ring hall, the rooms of courtly pride ! And marble statues stand and look at me, And ask: poor child, what has been done to thee? Know ye that house ? Thither would J Full fain with thee my best-beloved fly! 15 Know ye the mountain and it's path of clouds? The mule is led astray by misty shrouds, The dark cave holds the dragoon's ancient brood, The rock is rent, and o'er it pours the flood; Know ye that mount? Thither would J There lies our way — Oh father let us fly! 16 S. JfKtgnon'a last song. „So lasst mich scheineii bis ich werdc' 1 hus let me seem till in the end I'll be ; Oh do not take this snow-white robe from me! From this fair earth full quickly I descend, To yonder narrow house my steps I wend. There for al while reposing I shall stay, Once more, refreshed, I then behold the day, Then this white robe and it's encircling zone, Then loo this flow'ry garland will be gone. And those celestial forms so passing fair, For man or woman do not ask or care. And earthly robes no more will then enfold The all trans lucent body, as of Old. - 17 - Nor care nor trouble did I know thro' life, But yet my days with deepest pain were rife; Thro' sorrow I grew old before my time, Come back for ever now, my youthful Prime. 1=8 e. VFie Harper's song in „W*ilhelm JfKeister." „Wer nie sein Brod mit Thriiiien ass." Who never eats his bread with tears, Who ne'er while night and sorrow lowers. With tearful eye to sleep forbears: He knows you not, ye heav'nly powers! Life's madd'ning round ye lead us to, Leave us, by Guilt to be estranged. Then you remit your charge to woe — All guilt is upon earth avenged. 19 7. Clara's song tm „Kgm,ont. „Freu(lvoll und leidvoll." Joyful And woeful, And thoughtful again; Hoping .,_, And longing And waiting in pain: Loudly rejoicing — Now all woe-begone — — ' ' 1-1 Happy the spirit that loves is alone! nA .I'ffU ■f.vi\!r\ v. , '■■■'■"• -'i-^' 20 S. Mong of the Wate» in ,,Mphigenia." „Es fiirchte die Gottcr das Menschengesehlecht." rear the Gods, ye race of manl Their's throug-h all eternity, Is the proud ascendancy. Is the dreaded might they use As they choose! Fear those solemn rulers then! Fear them deeply, doubly, when Raised by them who are on hig-h, To where, tow'ring- in the sky, On the cloud of thunder dread. Seats and tables bright are spread. - 21 - When a quarrel rises there, Then precipitated are The frail guests, by ruthless might. To the far abyss of nig-ht; Shorn of fame and hope and light, Vainly there to wait for right. But They? They remain on high Feasting to eternity At the bright ambrosian fount. From the mountain to the mount There they stride with giant step, While below, from the dread gap. Steaming upwards comes the breath Of the Titans sufTring Death; A light wreath of smoke seems this. Curling fumes of sacrifice. And the rulers turn the sight Of their eye that giveth light, Sullenly from all a race. Fearing to see in their face. Mutely speaking evermore, Features which they loved of yore. Thus the fatal sisters sang. And their fearful numbers rang In the exiled Titan's ear; He, the Ancient, grieves to hear, On the issue of his bed Thinks, and slowly shakes his head. — 22 — 9. OPo the JfKoon. „Failest wieder Busch und Thai,' Now again thro' wood and vale Gleam thy rays so brig-ht, Will at length that radiance pale Pierce my bosom's night? O'er my fields thy beauteous shine Softly dwelling strays, As a friend's mild eye would pine O'er my darken'd days. Now my heart feels once again Gladness and distress, Wand'ring through past joy and pain In its loneliness. - 23 - Flow, dear river, onwards flow, Nevermore Til smile; Mirth and love like thee would go Faith but proved a guile. Yet I once possess'd it all, All that's worth regret: 'Tis my torture to recall, Yet I can't forget! Gentle river flow along! Restless rushing on. Murmur burdens to my song, A melodious moan. Whether in a wintry night Foaming o'er thy banks. Or in spring round blossoms bright. Playing youthful pranks. Blest is he who without hate Turns from worldly joys, Clasps the friend vouchsafed by Fate And with him enjoys, What unknown to human kind Or unthought — of quite, Through the labyrinth of Mind, Wanders in the Night. - 24 - XO. Vhe Ue»eue. „Meiu Madchen ward mir uugetrcu.'' luy love, alas! proved false to me, And of all joys I grew a hater; I went to find some running water: The water past me ran in glee. I stood all mute and desolate. My head ached strange as if from drinking Into the river I was sinking, For all turned round at a mad rate. Then all at once a voice did sound, My head was turned from where it sounded, But to the voice my heart rebounded, — „Take care! the river is profound!" - 25 - A pleasant thrill shot through my blood, And looking- round I see a lassie. 1 ask her name, she answers ^Bessie." „0h fairest Bessie, thou art good!" Thou holdst me back from deadly night, My life to thee I'm gladly owing; Yet this is not enough bestowing, Be now, oh be my life's delight! And then I told her all my woes ; While on the ground she bent her eye ; 1 kissed her — and she did not fly. And death at present seems uot close. 26 MM.. M^he shepherds contplaint. „Da droben auf jenem Berge." On the top of the hill 1 am standing: A thousand times I trow, On my shepherd's staff reclining', I look at the valley below. I follow the flock as they 're g-razing My dog is watching- them all; From the hill-top I thus have descended. Yet know not I did so, at all. With beautiful flowers the meadow Is brig-htly sprinkled o'er: I cull them full listlessly, — knowing To whom I may give them no more! 21 The rain ami the hail-storni and lightning Pass by me while under that tree. You door will not open for shelter — It is all like a day-dream to me. A rain-bow brightly is arching Where the Arm old towers stand, But the lady fair she is absent, Is gone away from the land. Away from the land and farther, Perhaps e'en over the sea. Pass onward, my flock, pass swiftly! The heart's well nigh bursting in me. 28 - 23. The JfKingtrel. „Was hor' ich drausseii vor dem Thor." Whafs sounding: hi^h without the gate, Upon the bridge so loudly? Methinks that melody elate Tthe Hall would sound more proudly. The king- had spoke, the page had hied. The boy he came, the king he cried: Let the old minstrel enter! Saluted be ye, near and far, Ye nobles and ye dames fair! What panoply! star upon star! Oh! Who could know all names there! Within the hall of pomp sublime Be shut my eyes! Here is not time To feast upon such brightness. 29 The minstrel then his eyes did close, His harp sent forth it's clear tones. The knights looked round, their courage rose, Down looked the gentle Fair ones. The king, pleas'd by the Minstrel's lay. Presented him for song and play. With a golden chain of honour. The golden chain give not to me; To them it should be given. Who battle w^ith the enemy And see them backward driven; Or to the chancellor of thy reign. And may he bear the golden chain With the other loads he beareth! I sing as sings the merry bird Among the branches living. The melody so gladly heard It's own reward is giving. Yet if I am to beg for aught. Of thy best wine a draught be brought In a gold cup to refresh me I He rais'd the cup, he drank and said: Oh draught of choicest flavour I Oh house thrice-blest, where this is made To seem the slightest favour! When Good betides you, think of me, And thank the Lord as fervently As for this draught I thank you. 30 29. To a Golden Mea/rt worn about Ms neclk. „Arigedenken du verklimg'ner Freude." Ihou remembrance of enjoyments flown, Still worn near my heart, Still uniting those whose souls would part Wouldst thou lengthen Love's short days, now gone? Lilly, can I fly thee? To thy chain Bound, thro 'foreign land Thro' far vales and woods my way I wend; Lilly's heart not soon from mine again Could be disengaged; Like the bird once caged, But who snaps the chain and spreads his wing, Trailing after him a piece of string, A vestige of captivity, — No more the old free bird, — there lies the sting: He has before belonged to somebody. - 31 14. TIte Vishemui/n. „Das Wasser raiischt', das Wasser scliwoll." I he waters rush'd, the waters rose, A fisherman sat by, Look'd at his hook in cool repose, Sooth'd by their lullaby. And as he listens, as he sits. The parted waves retreat. A fair, a female shape, now flits All drippingr at his feet. She sang to him and singing' spoke : „Why wilt thou lure my brood With Man's fell cunning to thy yoke Where sucks the sun their blood? - 32 ~ Couldst thou but see how all my fry Are g-amboling below, E'en as thou art, thou 'Idst come and try And thus full gladness know." „ls not the dear sun gliding down, The moon, into the sea? And bathed by dews their face is shown In double majesty. Does not the deep sky tempt thee here, The azure twice as blue? Not thine own face reflected clear In everlasting dew?" ^The waters rushed, the waters rose Bathing his naked feet. His heart with a strange longing glows. As if his love to meet. She spoke to him, to him she sung — And thus he was undone ; Half sinking and half drawn along For evermore he's gone. 33 MS. ^Answers to the questions put during a rownd ga/tne. The lady. Fain would ye know wherefrom a female mind, lu high or lower ranks reaps most delight? Whate'er is new will always favour find, While yet it's hloom continues fresh and bright; But faith unshaken is of dearer kind, For to fidelity alone 'tis given With flow'rs autumnal seasons to enliven. - 34 - The young Beau. Youngr Paris in the woods and by the fount Was to the nymphs a dear and welllinown g-uest, Till Jove would send to the Idalian mount, To torture him, three visions of the Blest; He was to choose, their beauties was to count, I dare say none to whom a choice was lent. At any time felt more embarrassment. The Man of Experience. The surest way to win a woman's love Methinks would be a tender delicate care; — tie, whose temerity they must reprove, - Perhaps is even dearer to the Fair; — But he who never shows a wish to move, Nor tries to tempt, nor seems to care for aught. He who offends, will be adored and sought. The contented Man. Most manifold are the desi;:eg of men Their irritation and disquietude Yet too, of many a joy partake they can. Of many an hour with dearest charm embfled,; But the best blessing ojf this Ufe's short span. The richest gain throughout must be a mind Not prone to care and sorrow, yet most kind. — 35 - The Fool. Him who at all Human Folly Daily looks and daily rails; While they play the fools so jolly, Him the world as Tom Fool hails; Never beast of burden carried To the Mill a load so great, — And within my breast is buried Knowledge of this lot and hate! — 36 26. The Bunter's Xlvening song. „Im Felde schleich' ich still und wild." Accross the fields so still and wild I stray with loaded gun; Before me still thine image mild Thine image bright moves on. E'en now, perchance, all mild and still, Thou stray 'st by lake and wood; But oh! my fleeting image will It rise upon the flood? - 37 - His semblance who the world all thro' Errs, e'er to fret and grieve, Now eastward, westward now will g-o. Since thee he still must leave. I feel when I but think of thee, As if the moon did rise: Strange, blissful peace o'ershadows me, A tear stands in my eyes. 38 — M7. The Teing of OPhule. „Es war ein -Konig in Thule." In Thule once reignM a king, ''tis said, Most faithful e'en unto the grave. To whom his love on her death-bed A golden cup yet gave. That cup to him most dear was. No feast he knew without; And in his eyes a tear was Whene'er he drank there-out. - 39 - And when his death was close at hand, He counted his cities all, Left to his heir both crown and land. But not the cup withal. Then at a royal feast he sate His knig-hts around in glee, In the high hall of ancient date, In the castle by the sea. There with Life's dearest, latest glow From that cup his heart embued, The holy cup he then did throw Into the briny flood. He saw it fall, and drinking Sink deep into the sea; His eyes grew fixed and sinking Ne' er drop again drank he. 40 - MS. The Violet. „Eiii Veilchen auf der Wiese stand." A violet in a meadow stood Espied by none, within it's hood Of green, the dear heart's cover, — When lo! a youthful shepherdess Her tread most light, her heart not less, Came, singing 'bout her lover. - 41 - Oh, thoug'ht the violet, would I were Some tall bright flower, passing fair, Oh but for one short minute! Till gather'd by this sweetest maid, And drooping on her bosom laid, And dying, dying on it. But lo I the sportive maiden came. Nor mark''d the violet, — shame, oh shame! Trod down that gentle blossom. It sank and dying still sung sweet : 'Tis joy to die yet at her feet. If not upon her bosom. 42 M9. Vhe rosebud on the heather. „Sali eiii Kiiab' ein Rosleiii stehn.' Once a boy a rosebud saw, Rosebud on the heather; Near, to look at it would draw, More and more of beauties saw, Liked it altog'ether. Rosebud, rosebud blooming red, Rosebud on' the heather. — 43 — Said the boy: I'll cull thee, dear, Rosebud on the heather. Said the Rose : my thorns must fear. Else I'll sting thee, come not near. Me thou shalt not gather. Rosebud, rosebud blooming red, Rosebud on the heather. But the wilful boy would have Rosebud on the heather, Quarter not in mercy gave, Rosebud's plaints he knew to brave And her thorns together ; Rosebud, rosebud blooming red, Rosebud on the heather. - 44 so. vne JWtmderer'a JVightSong. „Dcr du von dem Himmel bist." thou who art the son of Heaven, EvVy pain and sorrow stilling-, Those by double Misery driven. Doubly with thy blessings filling; — Oh I'm weary of this striving, Joy and woe have killed my rest: Sweet, dear Peace, wilt thou be giving Balm to this distracted breast! 45 31. tAnother ditto, a^i „Deber alien Gipfeln." U'er the tops of the mountains > k-it,:,l Tranquillity; >-H' ,■. r-l On the trees and the fountains h wiA' Not a breath canst thou see; .oil'; The little birds even .iquA K» r the wood are at rest, — Wait yet awhile, Then reposes thy breast. 46 33. Charm of lSadme«s. „Trocknet iiieht, trocknet iiieht." iears of eternal love you shalbJnotlidrjffi. E'en to the half-dried eyeiiiJiiprifiiT How desolate, how dead the world appears! No, no, blest tears n") fl /itd ■• ,\cM Of hapless love, you never are to dry! sriT 47 S3. Sweet Cares, „Weiehct ihr SorACii von mir!" Now fly, ye Cares, from me! But mortal Man "s Is in the grasp of Care, 'while Life endures; ^'^ If care must be, then 'come, fond cares of Love, Thrust forth your brethren, take and keep my heart! 48 S4. Spirit's greeting. „Hoch auf (lem alten Thurme steht" High on the turret bleak and gray A knightly spirit stand^, To speed the vessel on it's way A solemn greeting sends: „This heart was wild and strong, „A knightly marrow filled the bone „My feasts were loud and long. „Half of my life I spent in war, „Half of it dreamt away, — „And thou, frail bark I spy afar, ^Heav'n speed thee on thy way!" 49 3S. Comfort in tea/rs. „Wic kommt's, dass dii so traiirig bist.' „ When all around are light and gay, How comes it thou art sad? Thine eyes too plainly tell the tale, They are with weeping- red." And if I wept in loneliness, I wept for my own woe; And tears take from mine aching breast The load that galls me so. „Thy joyous friends invite thee, come With them to share thy grief. And whatsoever thou hast lost Confide — and find relief!" - 50 - My woes you cannot understand, All merged in boisterous mirth. I have not lost it, though indeed 'Tis all I want on earth. „Then rouse thee up, thy strength to prove. Rouse thy young heart within, That heart is true, that arm is strong, There's nought thou may'st not win!" 1 cannot win it — no, ah no ! 'Tis fair as it is far; It sends a distant ray to me. Like yonder beauteous star. „No mortal covets their pure ray. Nor wins their heav'nly light; But we look up with rapture high For many a lovely night." And so do 1 with rapture high For many a lovely day: But let me weep the nights throughout As long as weep I may. II. SCHILLER. - 53 - 2G. designation. „Aucli icli war in Arcadien geboren." 1 too was born in the Arcadian field, And to my cradle also Nature owed The debt of bliss to Mortals here allowed; 1 too was born in the Arcadian field, Yet nought but tears my fleeting- spring would yield. Life's spring will bloom but once and then it ends; The bloom of mine is gone. The silent God — Oh weep for me my friends! The silent God my torch now downwards bends, The well-known form has flown.' 54 Already on thy darkling bridge I tread, Fearful eternity! To happiness a title once I had; Take back it's seal unbroken ! Nought did shed A drop of bliss on me. Now my complaint I lift before thy throne, Thou dread judge, hid in night! On yonder star a gladsome tale was known, That here the reign of Justice were alone. That Retributor thou wert hight. They tell, here punishments the wicked wait, And joys the pure in heart; Thou wilt unravel all the web of fate, Thou wilt unveil each bosom's secret stale, And deal to each his part. They tell that here a home the exiles find. The suff'rers painful progress here will end. A god-like creature, more severe than kind, Shunned by the crowd, known to some mighty mind, — They called her Truth — my course stopped with her hand. „Give up thy youth and youthful joys to me, And in a future life 1 will repay! Nought save this promise can I offer thee!" I took the promise of Eternity, 1 gave to her my youth so fresh and gay. - 55 — „The woman give, to whom thy heart is bound, Thy Laura give to me! Beyond the grave a rich reward is found!" I tore her bleeding from my bosom's wound, And as I gave her, wept unceasingly. „In heaven may'st thou claim this weighty bond," The world deriding said; „That liar slave, by artful despots own'd. For present joys has offer'd shades beyond This life; the bond is due when thou art dead." Thus spoke the scoffing crowd with aspick's tongues: „Before traditions wilt thou tremble then, HallowM by age aloue? Thy poor heart longs For saving Gods to heal all earthly wrongs. And human wit but serves the wants of Man. Futurity, hid in sepulchral Night, Eternity, which thy vain breast demands, Only revered because not brought to light. They are the Giant shadows of our fright, Which Conscience's mirror magnifies and blends. A lying image of a living frame, The dried-up mummy of mortality, Which balmy hope for ever in the same Sepulchral vault has kept, this wilt thou name, In feverish frenzy. Immortality? - 56 - For empty hopes — corruption makes them fears Thou foolishly thy present blist hast given? Death has been silent now six-thousand years; No corpse as yet came back and witness bears That Retribution waits in heaven!" I saw how Time to thy far shores was flying; The blooming life, once mine, Behind him like a blighted corpse was lying; No witness came, and yet with faitli undying I firmly trusted in the word divine. To thee 1 sacrificed my living joys. And from thy Justice will not be debarr'd. All goods but thine I spurned like worthless toys. Mine was the trust no scoffing tongue destroys. Now Retributor! give me my reward! „To all my children equal love I bear!" A spirit hid from sight Now cried aloud, — „Ye sons of Mortals, hear! Two flowers for the sage are blooming near : Hope and Enjoyment they are bight! He who culled one of them, no more can he The sister-flower too demand; Hope and Enjoyment can not, must not blend; Resign who can believe, is the divine decree, And the worlds Judgment-Day is in it's History. 57 And thou hast hoped; by Hope thou hast been paid; Believing was the blessing of thy lot. Thou might'st have heard what all thy sages said: The proffer by the moment made, Eternity repeats it not." 58 — 27. Cassamdfa, „Freu(le war in Troja's Halleii." In the hall of regal Troy, Ere her lofty tower was won. Loudly sounded hymns of joy To the lute's respondent tone. Weary warriors are reposing- From the strife, so fierce of late, Since Achilles has been chosing Priam's daughter for his mate. — 59 - Laurel g'arlands round their brows, To the God's protecting shrine They proceed in festive rows And in sacrifice combine. While their sliouts the echoes waken, In the streets the crowd are pressed, Left to sadness and forsaken Is but one afflicted breast. From the joy she could not prove, Unaccompanied and sad, To Apollo's laurel g-rove Silently Cassandra fled. Till the shade fell dark upon her Onwards still the Seer pass'd, And her badge of priestly honour On the gi'ound in anger cast. Ev'ry heart to joy gives scope, Ev'ry soul is swell'd with pride, And our aged parents hope, And my sister looks the bride; I alone, in sadness wringing These weak hands, their fall deplore. For I see swift Ruin winging Her dark flight to this doora'd shore. And a lighted torch I spy. But not Hymen's torch it is; To the clouds dark volleys fly, But not fumes of sacrifice. - 60 - Gladsome feasts I see surrounding-, But my prescient spirit hears A God's fatal footstep sounding', Who will merge them all in tears. They deride my bitter woe, And they chide my sad complaints, To the wilderness I go. When my hearts with torture faints. All the happy creatures shun me. All the gay are mocking me — What a doom is wieaked upon me, Delphic God, by thy decree ! Why with this prophetic mind Cruel God! have I been thrown On the City of the Blind, Thine oracle to make known? Oh why must I still be seeing-. Though I never must be heard? What's decreed must spring to being. And approach must what is feared. When a fatal doom is near, Would you from impending woe Draw the hiding veil? To err Is to live! 'Tis Death to know. Take, oh take away the sadd'ning Clearness which can never soothe: For the mortal it is maddning To be the vessel of thy truth. - 61 - Give my blindness hack to me, And the heart in darkness gay; Since I came thy voice to be, To my lips rose no blythe lay. Aye, the Future was thy dower, Present bliss I know no more; Take it back the treach'rous power. Momentary joys restore! Never was my flowing hair Wreathed with myrtle garlands round, Since thine altar was my care, To thy shrine the votaress bound. All my youth was pass'd in weeping, And the woes of those 1 loved Sympathetic pains were heaping On this heart too deeply moved. Thus among my play-mates gay. Who in gladness love and live Like the sportive birds of May, Ever lonely 1 must grieve. E'en the spring, in radiance dressing The green earth, uncharmed I see. Who could feel Existence's blessing. Fathoming it's depth like me? Polixena's fate, how bright, By the fond delusion warm'd — He, of Greece the Flower and Might, By her youthful bloom is charm'd; - 62 - And Iter bosom pants high-heaving', Overburthened with glad pride, Not the Gods in her deceiving Dream she envies, thus alhed. And I too — I too have seen Him, for vt^hom my heart must pine, And his speaking eyes have been Pleading with a glow divine. With my chosen lord departing, Gladly would I fly from care. But a Stygian shadow's starting Nightly up to part the pair. Pale Proserpina has sent Me her; livid spectral host; Wheresoe'er my steps are bent. Ne'er by them my trace is lost; Youthful pastimes languish round me. Seared and blighted by their tread Who in ghastly chains have bound me; From my haunts all mirth has fled. And I see the murd'rous steel. And the gleam of Murder's eye; From the horrors which I feel Not to right nor left dare fly; Nor my looks I dare be wending; Seeing, knowing, to the spell Of my fatal fortune bending, I must die where strangers dwell I - 63 - Still her words thrill'd on the ear, When a murmur onwards sped From the temple's distant sphere: Thetis' noble son lies dead! Cris her fell snakes is shaking, All the Gods fly from their home, And the thunder-cloud is breaking Over Troy's devoted dome. . lii' . ■;■ '.' !>iUi ■'Hi! •i!!i.i)!, ji. .'liiiiil III ^ii '.on !n;i! i ;r. : : jKoi iiii/ i\,)-ti :;!ii ■>] 8'lil 'riad r • ;-.-: |',ii'L-.'i \:U;'i! -ii 1' : ■■/.I Mint oibff ■ili .Viat befell the care*. From Pfarrius. „Wie es den Sorgen erging." Into the greenwood I wanted to stray, The cares would go with me; And vainly I ten times ' said them nay, They, followed me faithfully. And as we came to the thicket green, That moment a whisp'ring began, The birds were crying: how dare you be seen, Ye cares in our woody domain? - 161 - The grass rose up and would slop their flight, As they fled before the keen gale; The trees wide branching began to fight, As the cares ran o'er hill and thro' vale. They ran and running their queer heads broke, As the rock's sharp edge came across; Then in the bright sunshine they vanished like smoke, And were drowned in the dews on the moss. Now ye see, so I cried, when at length set free From their plaguing, what soon must become Of you when you venture 'mong bush and tree: So another time, mind, stay at home! 162 — S3. tAfter the Storm. „Die Sonne, sprecht Ihr, wird den Sieg" lou say the sun will yet fight through And drive the clouds away, And shine again in gorgeous light, Triumphant Lord of Day; But oh I the flow'r so sweet I saw, Just op'ning to the sun; Her life of odours but this morn Had fragrantly begun: — 163 - No flatlring wind kissed off the dew On her young- bosom spread, The storm rude-breathing came and shook The pure drop from its bed. The flower on her tiny stem Now droops all woe-begone; Ah pity, that so sweet a thing- Should be so lost and lone. And oh! the little brook, that I Stood by in morning's light, Each pebble of its rocky bed Clearly reveal'd to sight. The little brook in murmurs low Breath'd forth a hymn of praise, Wand'ring in pretty wilfulness All o'er the woodland maze. And now I've seen that crystal stream Shorn of its lovely light; The darken'd waves showed wild and dim; Ah! sorry was the sight! Its banks of flow'ry beauty now Were torn by its blind rage; To smooth them down fair as before. Oh it will ask an age! - 164 - O'er the grim flood the bared roots Of many a tree now spread; When will it cover them again, Their mossy velvet bed? And oh! the quiet little nest, Which Robin Red-breast made ; How snug-ly in its woolly lap The small bright eggs were laid! There sat his love and he sat near. And, chirping all the while. Kept, perched upon the thorny hedge, A look-out o'er the stile. Oh! much of love, not grand and high, Yet much of love was there ! The nest the storm has shaken down, 'Tis yonder, — waste and bare! The sun may come to beam and smile. And gladden all around; But the nest and broken eggs will lie Ungladden'd on the ground. A storm will leave a wreck behind Where ever it has passed. And the human soul will show the trace. How chilling was the blast. - 165 - The day may clear, which erst was dark, And sunshine 's ever gay; But all that sunshine free and fair May light on ruins grey. 166 - S4. Vhe kind old ntan. „Gedaclitiiiss eiries Jiigendtraums" nlemorial of a youthful hope, Remembrance of the Past, No mortal thing' with time can cope Yet thou art faithful to the last! My spirit now is bent with care, My tardive blood is cold, The snow of Age is on my hair, I'm very, very old. - 167 - And yet I can not turn away From all I loved when young; The lute that knew love's meltin{°: lay, E'en now it is not all unstrung-. E'en now the unforgotten voice The well-remembered word, May bid me weep, or bid rejoice, And still find a respondent chord. And this in me ye may deem weak And at the dotard rail, And mock the tear upon my cheek, And scorn a mind so frail: — For me, I war not with mine heart; Has God not formed its mould? He ordained that it oft should smart, But never should grow cold. SRDCEEREI DES RAUHENfiHAUSES ZUBOR; V /*.--- •' :^.^ >.*-,<■ .•/ -^.-f *> > ' ♦'