When it began and murmured 'Ah! do not pain me so. 'Oh! look upon me kindly, Of thine own sorrow think; Before my time with suff'ring Let me not, dying, sink.' And had it not thus spoken Alone upon the lea, For thee it had been gathered, But now it may not be. My love no longer cometh, But lonely leaveth me : With love still cometh sorrow, And thus 'twill ever be. TO SEVILLA. To Sevilla, to Sevilla, Where the splendid buildings stately In the broadest streets are seen, Noble ladies look sedately From behind the casement screen; 'Tis not there I fain would be. To Sevilla, to Sevilla, Where in narrow streets are seen Neighbours, kindly greetings sending, And behind the casement screen Maidens fair, their flowers tending; There, ah, there I long to be! In Sevilla, in Sevilla, Is a house I know full well; Chamber, kitchen, glisten brightly; In that house my love doth dwell, And the door is closed but lightly; When I knock she lets me in. To Sevilla, to Sevilla, Unto her I love so dearly! Once again I must behold her, Hear her voice, and speak in answer, In my arms again enfold her; This it is my heart desires. JOSEPH FREIHERR VON EICHENDORF. [1788-1857.] THE BROKEN RING. THERE turns in yon cool valley A mill-wheel evermore ; My loved one has departed, Who dwelt there years before. Her troth to me she plighted, And gave a ring thereby; Her troth to me she's broken, The ring doth shattered lie. I'd fain as minstrel journey Far through the world away; From house to house I'd wander, And sing my simple lay. I'd fain fly as a rider Into the bloody fight, And lie around the fires, Out in the camp at night. And when I hear the mill-wheel turn, I know not what I will; To die were best meseemeth, Then 'twere for ever still. |