"Tis the water-nymphs, that are singing Let them sing, my friend, let them murmur, 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, Take care! It is a fool's-cap for thee to wear, Trust her not, She is fooling thee! SONG OF THE BELL. BELL! thou soundest merrily, To the church doth hie! Bell! thou soundest merrily: Bed-time draweth nigh! Say! how canst thou mourn? Thou dost feel them all! God hath wonders many, THE CASTLE BY THE SEA. FROM 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 They rested quietly, But I heard on the gale a sound of wail, And tears came to mine eye." "And sawest thou on the turrets The King and his royal bride? And the wave of their crimson mantles? "Led they not forth, in rapture, "Well saw I the ancient parents, They were moving slow, in weeds of woe; THE BLACK KNIGHT. FROM UHLAND. "TWAS Pentecost, the Feast of Gladness, When woods and fields put off all sadness, Thus began the king, and spake : "So from the halls 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'm 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, Torchlight through the high halls glances; К 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!" Each the father's breast embraces, Looks the fear-struck father gray, "Woe! the blessed children both Takest thou in the joy of youth; Take me, too, the joyless father!" Spake the grim guest, From his hollow, cavernous breast: "Roses in the spring I gather!" |