And they no longer weep, Calls them, they slumber. THE BIRD AND THE SHIP. FROM THE GERMAN OF MULLER. "THE rivers rush into the sea, "The clouds are passing far and high, And everything that can sing and fly "I greet thee, bonny boat! Whither, or whence, With thy fluttering golden band ?" "I greet thee, little bird! To the wide sea I haste from the narrow land. "Full and swollen is every sail; I have trusted all to the sounding gale, "And wilt thou, little bird, go with us? With merry companions all." "I need not and seek not company, For the mainmast tall too heavy am I, "High over the sails, high over the mast, When thy merry companions are still, at last, "Who neither may rest, nor listen may, I dart away, in the bright blue day, "Thus do I sing my weary song, Wherever the foul winds blow; And this same song, my whole life long WHITHER? FROM THE GERMAN OF MÜLLER, What do I say of a murmur? 'Tis the water-nymphs, that are singing Let them sing, my friend, let them murmur, The wheels of a mill are going In every brooklet clear. She gives a side-glance and looks down, Beware! Beware! Trust her not, She is fooling thee! F And she has hair of a golden hue, And what she says, it is not true, Trust her not, She is fooling thee! She has a bosom as white as snow, 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, Beware! Beware! Trust her not, She is fooling thee! SONG OF THE BELL. FROM THE GERMAN. BELL! thou soundest merrily. Bell! thou soundest merrily; 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 And the moon above it standing, "The winds and the waves of ocean, Had they a merry chime? Didst thou hear, from those lofty chambers, "The winds and the waves of ocean, But I heard on the gale the sound of wail, 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 THE GERMAN OF 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 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 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 à courteous thank; "Oh, that draught was very cool!" Each the Father's breast embraces, Whichever way Looks the fear-struck father grey, |