THEMAIDOFTHEMILL’SREPENTANCE。
YOUTH。
AWAY,thouswarthywitch!GoforthFromoutmyhouse,Itellthee!
OrelseIneedsmust,inmywrath,Expelthee!
What’sthisthousingestsofalsely,forsooth,Ofloveandamaiden’ssilenttruth?
Who’lltrusttosuchastory!
GIPSY。
Isingofamaid’srepentantfears,Andlongandbitteryearning。
Herlevity’schangedtotruthandtearsAll-burning。
Shedreadsnomorethethreatsofhermother,Shedreadsfarlesstheblowsofherbrother,Thanthedearlyloved-one’shatred。
YOUTH。
Ofselfishnesssingandtreacherouslies,Ofmurderandthievishplunder!
Suchactionsfalsewillcausenosurprise,Orwonder。
Whentheysharetheirbooty,bothclothesandpurse,——
Asbadasyougipsies,andevenworse,Suchtalesfindreadycredence。
GIPSY。
Alas,alas!ohwhathaveIdone?
Canlisteningaughtavailme?
Ihearhimtowardmyroomhastenon,Tohailme。
Myheartbeathigh,tomyselfIsaid:
’Owouldthatthouhadstneverbetray’dThatnightoflovetothymother!’
YOUTH。
Alas!Ifoolishlyventuredthere,Forthecheatingsilencemisledme。
Ah,sweetest!letmetotheerepair,——
Nordreadme!
Whensuddenlyroseafearfuldin,Hermadrelationscamepouringin。
Mybloodstillboilsinmybody!
GIPSY。
Ohwhenwillreturnanhourlikethis?
Ipineinsilentsadness。
I’vethrownawaymyonlytrueblissWithmadness。
Alas,poormaid!Opitymyyouth!
MybrotherwasthenfullcruelintrothTotreatthelovedonesobasely!
THEPOET。
Theswarthywomanthenwentinside,Tothespringinthecourtyardyonder。
Hereyesfromtheirstainshepurified,And,——wonder!——
Herfaceandeyeswereradiantandbright,AndthemaidofthemillwasdisclosedtothesightOfthestartledandangrystripling!
THEMAIDOFTHEMILL。
Thousweetest,fairest,dearly-lovedlife!
BeforethineangerIcower。
ButblowsIdreadnot,norsharp-edgedknife,——
ThishourOfsorrowandlovetotheeI’llsing,AndmyselfbeforethyfeetI’llfling,Andeitherliveordiethere!
YOUTH。
Affection,say,whyburiedsodeepInmyhearthastthoulainhidden?
BywhomhastthounowtoawakefromthysleepBeenbidden?
Ahlove,thatthouartimmortalIsee!
NorknavishcunningnortreacheryCandestroythylifesogodlike。
THEMAIDOFTHEMILL。
Ifstillwithasfondandheartfeltlove,Asthouoncedidstswear,I’mcherish’d,ThennoughtoftheraptureweusedtoproveIsperish’d。
Sotakethewomansodeartothybreast!
Inheryoungandinnocentcharmsbeblest,Forallarethinefromhenceforward!
BOTH。
Now,sun,sinktorest!Now,sun,arise!
Yestars,benowshining,nowdarkling!
Astaroflovenowgleamsintheskies,All-sparkling!
Aslongasthefountainmayspringandrun,Solongwillwetwobeblendedinone,Uponeachother’sbosoms!
1797——
THETRAVELLERANDTHEFARM~MAIDEN。
HE。
CANSTthougive,ohfairandmatchlessmaiden,’Neaththeshadowofthelindensyonder,——
WhereI’dfainonemomentceasetowander,——
Foodanddrinktoonesoheavyladen?
SHE。
Wouldstthoufindrefreshment,travellerweary,Bread,ripefruitandcreamtomeetthywishes,——
NonebutNature’splainandhomelydishes,——
Nearthespringmaysoothethywanderingsdreary。
HE。
Dreamsofoldacquaintancenowpassthroughme,Ne’er-forgottenqueenofhoursofblisses。
LikenessesI’veoftenfound,butthisisOnethatquiteamarvelseemethtome!
SHE。
Travellersoftenwonderbeyondmeasure,Buttheirwondersoonseecausetosmother。
Fairanddarkareoftenlikeeachother,Bothinspirethemindwithequalpleasure。
HE。
NotnowforthefirsttimeIsurrenderTothisform,inhumbleadoration。
ItwasbrightestmidsttheconstellationInthehailadorn’dwithfestalsplendour。
SHE。
Bethoujoyfulthat’tisinmypowerTocompletethystrangeandmerrystory!
Silksbehindher,fullofpurpleglory,Floated,whenthousaw’stherinthathour。
HE。
No,intruth,thouhastnotsungitrightly!
Spiritsmayhavetoldtheeallaboutit。
Pearlsandgemstheyspokeof,donotdoubtit,——
Byhergazeeclipsed,——itgleam’dsobrightly!
SHE。
ThisonethingIcertainlycollected:
Thatthefairone——saynought,Ientreatthee!
Fondlyhopingonceagaintomeetthee,Manyacastleintheairerected。
HE。
ByeachwindIceaselesslywasdriven,Seekinggoldandhonour,too,tocapture!
Whenmywand’ringsend,thenoh,whatrapture,Iftofindthatformagain’tisgiven!
SHE。
’Tisthedaughteroftheracenowbanish’dThatthouseest,notherlikenessonly。
Helenandherbrother,gladthoughlonely,Tillthisfarmoftheirestatenowvanish’d。
HE。
ButtheownersurelyisnotwantingOftheseplains,withev’rybeautyteeming?
Verdantfields,broadmeads,andpasturesgleaming,Gushingsprings,allheav’nlyandenchanting。
SHE。
Thoumusthunttheworldthrough,wouldstthoufindhim!——
Wehavewealthenoughinourpossession,Andintendtopurchasethesuccession,Whenthegoodmanleavestheworldbehindhim。
HE。
Ihavelearnttheowner’sowncondition,And,fairmaiden,thouindeedcanstbuyit。
Butthecostisgreat,Iwon’tdenyit,——
Helenistheprice,——withthypermission!
SHE。
Didthenfateandrankkeepusasunder,AndmustLovetakethisroad,andnoother?
Yondercomesmydearandtrustybrother。
Whatwillhesaytoitall,Iwonder?
1803。*——
EFFECTSATADISTANCE。
THEqueenintheloftyhalltakesherplace,Thetapersaroundherareflaming。
Shespeakstothepage:WithanimblepaceGo,fetchmemypurseforgaming。
’Tislying,I’llpledge,Onmytable’sedge。
Eachnervethenimbleboystraineth,Andtheendofthecastlesoongaineth。
ThefairestofmaidenswassippingsherbetBesidethequeenthatminute。
Nearhermouthbrokethecup,——andshegotsowet!
Theverydevilseem’dinitWhatfearfuldistress’Tisspoilt,hergaydress。
Shehastens,andev’rynervestraineth,Andtheendofthecastlesoongaineth。
Theboywasreturning,andquicklycame,Andmetthesorrowingmaiden。
Noneknewofthefact,——andyetwithLove’sflame,Thosetwohadtheirheartsfullladen。
And,ohtheblissOfamomentlikethis!
Eachfallsonthebreastoftheother,Withkissesthatwellnighmightsmother。
Theytearthemselvesasunderatlast,Toherchambershehastensquickly,Toreachthequeenthepagehieshimfast,Midsttheswordsandthefanscrowdedthickly。
ThequeenspiedamainOnhiswaistcoatastain。
Fornoughtwasinscrutabletoher,LikeSheba’squeen——Solomon’swooer。
ToherchiefattendantsheforthwithcriedWelatelytogethercontended,Andthoudidstassert,withobstinatepride,Thatthespiritthroughspaceneverwended,——
ThattracesaloneBythepresentwereshown,——
Thatafarnoughtwasfashion’d——notevenBythestarsthatillumineyouheaven。
Nowsee!whileagobletbesidemetheydrain’d,Theyspiltallthedrinkinthechalice。
Andstraightwaytheboyhadhiswaistcoatstain’dAtthefurthermostendofthepalace——
Letthemnewlybeclad!
AndsinceIamgladThatitservedasaproofsodecided,Thecostwillbymebeprovided。
1808——
THEWALKINGBELL
ACHILDrefusedtogobetimesTochurchlikeotherpeople。
Heroam’dabroad,whenrangthechimesOnSundaysfromthesteeple。
Hismothersaid:Loudringsthebell,Itsvoicene’erthinkofscorning。
Unlessthouwiltbehavetheewell,’Twillfetchtheewithoutwarning。
Thechildthenthought:HighoverheadThebellissafesuspended——
SotothefieldshestraightwayspedAsif’twasschool-timeended。
Thebellnowceas’dasbelltoring,Rousedbythemother’stwaddle。
Butsoonensuedadreadfulthing!——
Thebellbeginstowaddle。
Itwaddlesfast,thoughstrangeitseem。
Thechild,withtremblingwonder,Runsoff,andflies,asinadream。
Thebellwoulddrawhimunder。
Hefindsthepropertimeatlast,AndstraightwaynimblyrushesTochurch,tochapel,hasteningfastThroughpastures,plains,andbushes。
EachSundayandeachfeastaswell,Hislatedisasterheedshe。
Themomentthathebearsthebell,Noothersummonsneedshe。
1813——
FAITHFULECKART,OH,wouldwewerefurther!Oh,wouldwewerehome,Thephantomsofnighttow’rdushastilycome,ThebandoftheSorceresssisters。
Theyhitherwardspeed,andonfindingushere,They’lldrink,thoughwithtoilwehavefetch’dit,thebeer,Andleaveusthepitchersallempty。
Thusspeaking,thechildrenwithfeartaketoflight,Whensuddenanoldmanappearsintheirsight:
Bequiet,child!children,bequiet!
Fromhuntingtheycome,andtheirthirsttheywouldstill,Soleavethemtoswallowasmuchastheywill,AndtheEvilOnesthenwillbegracious。
Assaid,so’twasdone!andthephantomsdrawnear,Andshadowlikeseemthey,andgreytheyappear,~YetblithelytheysipandtheyrevelThebeerhasallvanish’d,thepitchersarevoid。
Withcriesandwithshoutsthewildhunters,o’erjoy’d,Speedonwardo’ervaleando’ermountain。
Thechildreninterrorflynimblytow’rdhome,Andwiththemthekindoneiscarefultocome:
Mydarlings,oh,benotsomournful!——
They’llblameusandbeatus,untilwearedead——
No,no!yewillfindthatallgoeswell,hesaid。
Besilentasmice,then,andlisten!
Andhebywhosecounselsthuswiselyye’retaught,Ishewhowithchildrenlovesevertosport。
ThetrustyandfaithfuloldEckart。
Yehaveheardofthewonderformanyaday,Butne’erhadaproofofthemarvellouslay,——
Yourhandsholdaproofmostconvincing。
Theyarriveattheirhome,andtheirpitcherstheyplaceBythesideoftheirparents,withfearontheirface,Awaitingabeatingandscolding。
Butseewhatthey’retasting:thechoicestofbeer!
ThoughthreetimesandfourtimestheyquaffthegoodcheerThepitchersremainstillunemptied。
Themarvelitlaststillthedawningofday。
Allpeoplewhohearofitdoubtlesswillsay:
Whathappen’datlengthtothepitchers?
Insecretthechildrentheysmile,astheywait。
Atlast,though,theystammer,andstutter,andprate,Andstraightwaythepitcherswereempty。
Andif,children,withkindnessaddress’dyemaybe,Whetherfather,ormaster,oraldermanhe,Obeyhim,andfollowhisbidding!
Andif’tisunpleasanttobridlethetongue,Yettalkingisbad,silencegoodfortheyoung——
Andthenwillthebeerfillyourpitchers!
1813——
THEDANCEOFDEATH。
THEwarderlooksdownatthemidhourofnight,Onthetombsthatliescatter’dbelow:
Themoonfillstheplacewithhersilverylight,Andthechurchyardlikedayseemstoglow。
Whensee!firstonegrave,thenanotheropeswide,Andwomenandmensteppingfortharedescried,Incerementssnow-whiteandtrailing。
Inhasteforthesportsoontheiranklestheytwitch,Andwhirlroundindancessogay。
Theyoungandtheold,andthepoor,andtherich,Butthecerementsstandintheirway。
Andasmodestycannotavailthemaughthere,Theyshakethemselvesall,andtheshroudssoonappearScatter’doverthetombsinconfusion。
Nowwagglestheleg,andnowwrigglesthethigh,Asthetroopwithstrangegesturesadvance,Andarattleandclatteranonriseshigh,Asofonebeatingtimetothedance。
Thesighttothewarderseemswondrouslyqueer,WhenthevillainousTempterspeaksthusinhisear:
Seizeoneoftheshroudsthatlieyonder!
Quickasthoughtitwasdone!andforsafetyhefledBehindthechurch-doorwithallspeed。
ThemoonstillcontinuesherclearlighttoshedOnthedancethattheyfearfullylead。
Butthedancersatlengthdisappearonebyone,Andtheirshrouds,eretheyvanish,theycarefullydon,Andundertheturfallisquiet。
Butoneofthemstumblesandshufflestherestill,Andgropesatthegravesindespair。
Yet’tisbynocomradehe’streatedsoillTheshroudhesoonscentsintheair。
Soherattlesthedoor——forthewarder’tiswellThat’tisbless’d,andsoablethefoetorepel,Allcover’dwithcrossesinmetal。
Theshroudhemusthave,andnorestwillallow,Thereremainsforreflectionnotime。
OntheornamentsGothicthewightseizesnow,Andfrompointontopointhastestoclimb。
Alasforthewarder!hisdoomisdecreed!
Likealong-leggedspider,withne’er-changingspeed,Advancesthedreadedpursuer。
Thewarderhequakes,andthewarderturnspale,Theshroudtorestorefainhadsought。
Whentheend,——nowcannothingtosavehimavail,——
Inatoothformedofironiscaught。
Withvanishinglustrethemoon’sraceisrun,WhenthebellthundersloudlyapowerfulOne,Andtheskeletonfails,crush’dtoatoms。
1813——
THEPUPILINMAGIC。
IAMnow,——whatjoytohearit!——
Oftheoldmagicianrid。
Andhenceforthshallev’ryspiritDowhate’erbymeisbid。
Ihavewatch’dwithrigourAllheusedtodo,AndwillnowwithvigourWorkmywonderstoo。
Wander,wanderOnwardlightly,SothatrightlyFlowthetorrent,AndwithteemingwatersyonderInthebathdischargeitscurrent!
Andnowcome,thouwell-wornbroom,Andthywretchedformbestir。
Thouhasteverservedasgroom,Sofulfilmypleasure,sir!
Ontwolegsnowstand,Withaheadontop。
Waterpailinhand,Haste,anddonotstop!
Wander,wanderOnwardlightly,SothatrightlyFlowthetorrent,AndwithteemingwatersyonderInthebathdischargeitscurrent!
See!he’srunningtotheshore,Andhasnowattain’dthepool,AndwithlightningspeedoncemoreComeshere,withhisbucketfull!
Backhethenrepairs。
Seehowswellsthetide!
HoweachpailhebearsStraightwayissupplied!
Stop,for,lo!
AllthemeasureOfthytreasureNowisright!——
Ah,Iseeit!woe,ohwoe!
Iforgetthewordofmight。
Ah,thewordwhosesoundcanstraightMakehimwhathewasbefore!
Ah,herunswithnimblegait!
Wouldthouwertabroomoncemore!
Streamsrenew’dforeverQuicklybringethhe。
RiverafterriverRushethonpoorme!
NownolongerCanIbearhim。
Iwillsnarehim,Knavishsprite!
Ah,myterrorwaxesstronger!
Whatalook!whatfearfulsightOh,thouvillainchildofhell!
Shallthehousethroughtheebedrown’dFloodsIseethatwildlyswell,O’erthethresholdgainingground。
Wiltthounotobey,Oh,thoubroomaccurs’d?
BethoustillIpray,Asthouwertatfirst!
WillenoughNeverpleasethee?
Iwillseizethee,Holdtheefast,Andthynimblewoodsotough,Withmysharpaxesplitatlast。
See,oncemorehehastensback!
Now,ohCobold,thoushaltcatchit!
Iwillrushuponhistrack。
Crashingonhimfallsmyhatchet。
Bravelydone,indeed!
See,he’scleftintwain!
NowfromcareI’mfreed,Andcanbreatheagain。
Woe,ohwoe!
Boththeparts,Quickasdarts,Standonend,Servantsofmydreadedfoe!
Oh,yegodsprotectionsend!
Andtheyrun!andwetterstillGrowthestepsandgrowsthehail。
Lordandmasterhearmecall!
Everseemsthefloodtofill,Ah,he’scoming!see,Greatismydismay!
SpiritsraisedbymeVainlywouldIlay!
TothesideOftheroomHasten,broom,Asofold!
SpiritsIhavene’eruntiedSavetoactastheyaretold。
1797——
THEBRIDEOFCORINTH。
[FirstpublishedinSchiller’sHoren,inconnectionwithafriendlycontestintheartofballad-writingbetweenthetwogreatpoets,towhichmanyoftheirfinestworksareowing。]
ONCEastrangeryouthtoCorinthcame,WhoinAthenslived,buthopedthatheFromacertaintownsmantheremightclaim,Ashisfather’sfriend,kindcourtesy。
Sonanddaughter,theyHadbeenwonttosayShouldthereafterbrideandbridegroombe。
Butcanhethatboonsohighlyprized,Savetisdearlybought,nowhopetoget?
TheyareChristiansandhavebeenbaptized,Heandallofhisareheathensyet。
Foranewborncreed,Likesomeloathsomeweed,Loveandtruthtorootoutoftwillthreat。
Father,daughter,allhadgonetorest,Andthemotheronlywatcheslate。
Shereceiveswithcourtesytheguest,Andconductshimtotheroomofstate。
Wineandfoodarebrought,Erebyhimbesought。
Biddinghimgoodnight。sheleaveshimstraight。
Buthefeelsnorelishnow,intruth,Forthedaintiessoprofuselyspread。
Meatanddrinkforgetstheweariedyouth,And,stilldress’d,helayshimonthebed。
Scarceareclosedhiseyes,Whenaformin-hiesThroughtheopendoorwithsilenttread。
ByhisglimmeringlampdiscernshenowHow,inveilandgarmentwhitearray’d,Withablackandgoldbandroundherbrow,Glidesintotheroomabashfulmaid。
Butshe,athissight,Liftsherhandsowhite,Andappearsasthoughfullsoreafraid。
AmI,criesshe,suchastrangerhere,Thattheguest’sapproachtheycouldnotname?
Ah,theykeepmeinmycloisterdrear,WellnighfeelIvanquish’dbymyshame。
OnthysoftcouchnowSlumbercalmlythou!
I’llreturnasswiftlyasIcame。
Stay,thoufairestmaiden!criestheboy,Startingfromhiscouchwitheagerhaste:
HereareCeres’,Bacchus’giftsofjoy。
Amorbringestthou,withbeautygrac’d!
Thouartpalewithfear!
LovedoneletushereProvetherapturestheImmortalstaste。
Drawnotnigh,OYouth!afarremain!
Rapturenowcanneversmileonme。
Forthefatalstep,alas!ista’en,Throughmymother’ssick-bedphantasy。
Cured,shemadethisoath:
’YouthandnaturebothShallhenceforthtoHeav’ndevotedbe。’
Fromthehouse,sosilentnow,aredrivenAllthegodswhoreign’dsupremeofyore。
OneInvisiblenowrulesinheaven,OnthecrossaSaviourtheyadore。
Victimsslaytheyhere,Neitherlambnorsteer,Butthealtarsreekwithhumangore。
Andhelists,andev’rywordheweighs,Whilehiseagersouldrinksineachsound:
CanitbethatnowbeforemygazeStandsmylovedoneonthissilentground?
Pledgetomethytroth!
Throughourfather’soath:
WithHeav’nsblessingwillourlovebecrown’d。
Kindlyyouth,Inevercanbethine!
’Tismysistertheyintendforthee。
WhenIinthesilentcloisterpine,Ah,withinherarmsrememberme!
TheealoneIlove,Whilelove’spangsIprove。
Soontheearthwillveilmymisery。
No!forbythisglowingflameIswear,Hymenhathhimselfpropitiousshown:
Letustomyfathershouserepair,Andthoultfindthatjoyisnotyetflown,Sweetest,herethenstay,AndwithoutdelayHoldwenowourweddingfeastalone!
Thenexchangetheytokensoftheirtruth。
Shegiveshimagoldenchaintowear,AndasilverchalicewouldtheyouthGiveherinreturnofbeautyrare。
Thatisnotforme。
YetIbegofthee,Onelockonlygivemeofthyhair。
Nowtheghostlyhourofmidnightknell’d,Andsheseem’drightjoyousatthesign。
Toherpallidlipsthecupsheheld,Butshedrankofnoughtbutblood-redwine。
FortotastethebreadTherebeforethemspread,Noughthespokecouldmakethemaidincline。
Totheyouththegobletthenshebrought,——
Hetooquaff’dwitheagerjoythebowl。
Lovetocrownthesilentfeasthesought,Ah!fulllove-sickwasthestripling’ssoul。
Fromhisprayersheshrinks,TillatlengthhesinksOnthebedandweepswithoutcontrol。
Andshecomes,andlaysherneartheboy:
HowIgrievetoseetheesorrowingso!
Ifthouthink’sttoclaspmyformwithjoy,Thoumustlearnthissecretsadtoknow。
Yes!themaid,whomthouCall’stthylovedonenow,Isascoldasice,thoughwhiteassnow。
Thenheclaspshermadlyinhisarm,Whilelove’syouthfulmightpervadeshisframe:
Thoumight’sthope,whenwithme,togrowwarm,E’eniffromthegravethyspiritcame!
Breathforbreath,andkiss!
Overflowofbliss!
Dostnotthou,likeme,feelpassion’sflame?
Lovestillcloserrivetsnowtheirlips,Tearstheyminglewiththeirraptureblest,Fromhismouththeflameshewildlysips,Eachiswiththeother’sthoughtpossess’d。
Hishotardour’sfloodWarmsherchillyblood,Butnoheartisbeatinginherbreast。
Inhercaretoseethatnoughtwentwrong,Nowthemotherhappen’dtodrawnear。
Atthedoorlonghearkensshe,fulllong,Wond’ringatthesoundsthatgreetherear。
Tonesofjoyandsadness,Andlove’sblissfulmadness,Asofbrideandbridegroomtheyappear,Fromthedoorshewillnotnowremove’Tillshegainsfullcertaintyofthis。
Andwithangerhearsshevowsoflove,Softcaressingwordsofmutualbliss。
Hush!thecock’sloudstrain!
Butthoultcomeagain,Whenthenightreturns!——thenkissonkiss。
Thenherwraththemothercannothold,ButunfastensstraightthelockwitheaseInthishousearegirlsbecomesobold,Astoseeke’enstrangers’luststoplease?
Byherlamp’sclearglowLooksshein,——andoh!
Sightofhorror!——’tisherchildshesees。
Faintheyouthwould,inhisfirstalarm,Withtheveilthato’erherhadbeenspread,Withthecarpet,shieldhislovefromharm。
Butshecaststhemfromher,voidofdread,Andwithspirit’sstrength,Initsspectrelength,Liftsherfigureslowlyfromthebed。
Mother!mother!——Thusherwanlipssay:
MaynotIonenightofraptureshare?
FromthewarmcouchamIchasedaway?
DoIwakenonlytodespair?
ItcontentsnottheeTohavedrivenmeAnuntimelyshroudofdeathtowear?
Butfromoutmycoffin’sprison-boundsByawond’rousfateI’mforcedtorove,WhiletheblessingsandthechauntingsoundsThatyourpriestsdelightin,uselessprove。
Water,salt,arevainFerventyouthtochain,Ah,e’enEarthcannevercooldownlove!
Whenthatinfantvowoflovewasspoken,Venus’radianttemplesmiledonboth。
Mother!thouthatpromisesincehastbroken,Fetter’dbyastrange,deceitfuloath。
Gods,though,hearkenne’er,ShouldamotherswearTodenyherdaughter’splightedtroth。
FrommygravetowanderIamforc’d,StilltoseekTheGood’slong-sever’dlink,StilltolovethebridegroomIhavelost,Andthelife-bloodofhishearttodrink。
Whenhisraceisrun,Imusthastenon,Andtheyoungmust’neathmyvengeancesink,Beauteousyouth!nolongermaystthoulive。
Heremustshrivelupthyformsofair。
DidnotItotheeatokengive,Takinginreturnthislockofhair?
Viewittothysorrow!
Greythoultbeto-morrow,Onlytogrowbrownagainwhenthere。
Mother,tothisfinalprayergiveear!
Letafuneralpilebestraightwaydress’d。
Openthenmycellsosadanddrear,Thattheflamesmaygivetheloversrest!
WhenascendsthefireFromtheglowingpyre,Tothegodsofoldwe’llhasten,blest。
1797——
THEGODANDTHEBAYADERE。
ANINDIANLEGEND。
[ThisveryfineBalladwasalsofirstgivenintheHoren。]
MAHADEVAisoneofthenumerousnamesofSeeva,thedestroyer,——
thegreatgodoftheBrahmins。
MAHADEVA,*LordofearthForthesixthtimecomesbelow,Asamanofmortalbirth,——
Likehim,feelingjoyandwoe。
Hitherloveshetorepair,Andhispowerbehindtoleave。
Iftopunishortospare,Menasmanhe’dfainperceive。
Andwhenhethetownasatrav’llerhathseen,Observingthemighty,regardingthemean,Hequitsit,togoonhisjourney,ateve。
Hewasleavingnowtheplace,Whenanoutcastmethiseyes,——
Fairinform,withpaintedface,——
Wheresomestragglingdwellingsrise。
Maiden,hail!——Thanks!welcomehere!
Stay!——I’lljointheeintheroad。’
Whoartthou?——ABayadere,Andthishouseislove’sabode。
Thecymbalshehastenstoplayforthedance,Wellskill’dinitsmazesthesighttoentrance,Thenbyherwithgraceisthenosegaybestow’d。
Thenshedrawshim,asinplay,O’erthethresholdeagerly:
Beauteousstranger,lightasdayThoushaltsoonthiscottagesee。
I’llrefreshthee,ifthou’rttired,Andwillbathethywearyfeet。
Takewhate’erbythee’sdesired,Toying,rest,orrapturesweet——
Shebusilyseekshisfeign’dsuff’ringstoease。
ThensmilestheImmortal。withpleasureheseesThatwithkindnessaheartsocorruptedcanbeat。
AndhemakesheractthepartOfaslave。he’sstraightobey’d。
Whatatfirsthadbeenbutart,Soonisnatureinthemaid。
Bydegreesthefruitwefind,Wherethebudsatfirstobtain。
Whenobediencefillsthemind,Lovewillneverfarremain。
Butsharperandsharperthemaidentoprove,TheDiscernerofallthingsbelowandabove,Feignspleasure,andhorror,andmaddeningpain。
Andherpaintedcheekshekisses,Andhisvowsherheartenthrall。
Feelinglove’ssharppangsandblisses,Soonhertearsbegintofall。
Athisfeetshenowmustsink,Notwiththoughtsoflustorgain,——
Andherslendermembersshrink,Anddevoidofpowerremain。
AndsothebrighthourswithgladnessprepareTheirdark,pleasingveilofatexturesofair,Andoverthecouchsoftly,tranquillyreign。
Lateshefallsasleep,thusbless’d,——
Earlywakes,herslumbersfled,Andshefindsthemuch-lovedguestOnherbosomlyingdead。
Screamingfallssheonhimthere,But,alas,toolatetosave!
AndhisrigidlimbstheybearStraightwaytotheirfierygrave。
Thenhearsshethepriestsandthefuneralsong,Thenmadlysheruns,andsheseversthethrong:
Whypresstow’rdthepilethus?Whyscreamthus,andrave?
Thenshesinksbesidehisbier,Andherscreamsthroughairresound:
Imustseekmyspousesodear,E’enifinthegravehe’sbound。
ShallthoselimbsofgracedivineFalltoashesinmysight?
Minehewas!Yes,onlymine!
Ah,onesingleblissfulnight!
Thepriestschauntinchorus:Webearouttheold,Whenlongthey’vebeenweary,andlatethey’vegrowncold:
Webearouttheyoung,too,sothoughtlessandlight。
Tothypriests’commandsgiveear!
Thisonewasthyhusbandne’er。
LivestillasaBayadere,Andnodutythouneed’stshare。
Todeathssilentrealmsfromlife,Nonebutshadesattendman’sframe,Withthehusband,nonebutwife,——
Thatisduty,thatisfame。
Yetrumpets,yoursacredlamenthastetoraiseOh,welcome,yegods,thebrightlustreofdays!
Oh,welcometoheaventheyouthfromtheflame!
ThusincreasedhertormentsareBythecruel,heartlessquire。
AndwitharmsoutstretchingfarLeapssheontheglowingpyre。
ButtheyouthdivineoutspringsFromtheflamewithheav’nlygrace,Andonhighhisflighthewings,Whilehisarmshisloveembrace。
InthesinnerrepentanttheGodheadfeelsjoy。
Immortalsdelightthustheirmighttoemploy。
Lostchildrentoraisetoaheavenlyplace。
1797——
THEPARIAH。
I。THEPARIAHSPRAYER。
DREADEDBrama,lordofmight!
Allproceedfromtheealone。
Thouarthewhojudgethright!
DostthounonebutBrahminsown?
DobutRajahscomefromthee?
Nonebutthoseofhighestate?
Didstnotthoutheapecreate,Aye,andevensuchaswe?
Wearenotofnoblekind,Forwithwoeourlotisrife。
AndwhatothersdeadlyfindIsouronlysourceoflife。
Letthisbeenoughformen,Letthem,iftheywill,despiseus。
Butthou,Brama,thoushouldstprizeus,Allareequalinthyken。
Nowthat,Lord,thisprayerissaid,Asthychildacknowledgeme。
Orletonebebornin-stead,Whomaylinkmeontothee!
DidstnotthouaBayadereAsagoddessheavenwardraise?
Andwetootoswellthypraise,Suchamiraclewouldhear。
1821——
II。LEGEND。
[ThesuccessfulmannerinwhichGoetheemploysthesimplerhymelesstrochaicmetreinthisandinmanyotherPoemswillperhapsberemarkedbythereader。]
WATER-FETCHINGgoesthenobleBrahmin’swife,sopureandlovely。
Heishonour’d,voidofblemish。
Andofjusticerigid,stern。
DailyfromthesacredriverBringsshebackrefreshmentsprecious——
Butwhereisthepailandpitcher?
Sheofneitherstandsinneed。
Forwithpureheart,handsunsullied,Shethewaterlifts,androllsitToawondrousballofcrystalThisshebearswithgladsomebosom,Modestly,withgracefulmotion,Toherhusbandinthehouse。
Sheto-dayatdawnofmorningPrayingcomestoGanges’waters,Bendshero’ertheglassysurface——
Sudden,inthewavesreflected,Flyingswiftlyfaraboveher,Fromthehighestheavensdescending,ShediscernsthebeauteousformOfayouthdivine,createdBytheGod’sprimevalwisdomInhisowneternalbreast。
Whensheseeshim,straightwayfeelssheWondrous,new,confusedsensationsInherinmost,deepestbeing。
Fainshe’dlingero’erthevision,Thenrepelsit,——itreturneth,——
And,perplex’d,shebendsherflood-wardsWithuncertainhandstodrawit。
But,alas,shedrawsnomore!
Forthewater’ssacredbillowsSeemtofly,tohastenfromher。
ShebutseesthefearfulchasmOfawhirlpoolblackdisclosed。
Armsdropdown,andfootstepsstumble,Canthisbethepathwayhomewards?
Shallshefly,orshallshetarry?
Canshethink,whenthoughtandcounsel,Whenassistanceallarelost?
Sobeforeherspouseappearsshe——
Onherlookshe——lookisjudgment——
Proudlyontheswordheseizes,Tothehillofdeathhedragsher,Wheredelinquents’bloodpaysforfeit。
Whatresistancecouldsheoffer?
Whatexcusescouldsheproffer,Guilty,knowingnotherguilt?
Andwithbloodyswordreturnshe,Musing,tohissilentdwelling,Whenhissonbeforehimstands:
Whosethisblood?Oh,father!father!
Thedelinquentwoman’s!——Never!
Foruponthesworditdriesnot,Likethebloodofthedelinquent。
Freshitflows,asfromthewound。
Mother!mother!hitherhasten!
Unjustneverwasmyfather,Tellmewhathenowhathdone——
Silence!silence!hersthebloodis!
Whose,myfather?——Silence!Silence!
What!ohwhat!mymother’sblood!
Whathercrime?Whatdidshe?Answer!
Now,thesword!theswordnowholdI。
Thouthywifeperchancemight’stslaughter,Butmymothermight’stnotslay!
ThroughtheflamesthewifeisableHerbelovedspousetofollow,AndhisdearandonlymotherThroughtheswordherfaithfulson。
Stay!ohstay!exclaim’dthefather:
Yet’tistime,sohasten,hasten!
Jointheheaduponthebody,Withtheswordthentouchthefigure,And,aliveshe’llfollowthee。
Hastening,he,withbreathlesswonder,SeesthebodiesoftwowomenLyingcrosswise,andtheirheadstoo。
Oh,whathorror!whichtochoose!
Thenhismother’sheadheseizes,——
Doesnotkissit,deadlypale’tis,——
OnthenearestheadlessbodyPutsitquickly,andthenblessesWiththeswordthepiouswork。
Thenthegiantformuprises,——
Fromthedearlipsofhismother,Lipsallgod-like——changeless——blissful,Soundthesewordswithhorrorfraught:
Son,ohson!whatoverhast’ning!
Yonderisthymother’sbody,NearitliestheimpiousheadOfthewomanwhohathfallenVictimtothejudgment-sword!
ToherbodyIamgraftedBythyhandforendlessages。
Wiseincounsel,wildinaction,Ishallbeamongstthegods。
E’entheheav’nlyboy’sownimage,Thoughineyeandbrowsolovely,SinkingdownwardstothebosomMadandraginglustwillstir。
’Twillreturnagainforever,Everrising,eversinking,Nowobscured,andnowtransfigur’d,——
SogreatBramahathordain’d。
He’twassentthebeauteouspinions,RadiantfaceandslendermembersOftheonlyGod-begotten,ThatImightbeprovedandtempted。
Forfromhighdescendstemptation,Whenthegodsordainitso。
AndsoI,theBrahminwoman,WithmyheadinHeavenreclining,Mustexperience,asaPariah,Thedebasingpowerofearth。
Son,Isendtheetothyfather!
Comforthim!Letnosadpenance,Weakdelay,orthoughtofmerit,HoldtheeinthedesertfastWanderonthroughev’rynation,Roamabroadthroughoutallages,Andproclaimtoe’enthemeanest,ThatgreatBramahearshiscry!
Noneisinhiseyesthemeanest——
Hewhoselimbsarelameandpalsied,Hewhosesouliswildlyriven,Wornwithsorrow,hopeless,helpless,BeheBrahmin,behePariah,Iftow’rdheavenheturnshisgaze,Willperceive,willlearntoknowit:
Thousandeyesareglowingyonder,Thousandearsarecalmlylist’ning,Fromwhichnoughtbelowishid。
IfItohisthronesoarupward,IfheseesmyfearfulfigureByhismighttransform’dtohorror,Heforeverwilllamentit,——
Mayittoyourgoodbefound!
AndInowwillkindlywarnhim,AndInowwillmadlytellhimWhatsoe’ermymindconceiveth,Whatwithinmybosomheaveth。
Butmythoughts,myinmostfeelings——
Thoseasecretshallremain。
1821——
III。THEPARIAH’STHANKS。
MIGHTYBrama,nowI’llblessthee!
’Tisfromtheethatworldsproceed!
AsmyrulerIconfessthee,Forofallthoutakestheed。
AllthythousandearsthoukeepestOpentoeachchildofearth。
We,’mongstmortalssunkthedeepest,Havefromtheereceivednewbirth。
Bearinmindthewoman’sstory,Who,throughgrief,divinebecame。
NowI’llwaittoviewHisglory,Whoomnipotencecanclaim。
1821——
DEATH-LAMENTOFTHENOBLEWIFEOFASANAGA。
[FromtheMorlack。
WHATisyonderwhitethingintheforest?
Isitsnow,orcanitswansperchancebe?
Wereitsnow,erethisithadbeenmelted,Wereitswans,theyallawayhadhastend。
Snow,intruth,itisnot,swansitisnot,’TistheshiningtentsofAsanAga。
Hewithinislying,sorelywounded。
Tohimcomehismotherandhissister。
Bashfullyhiswifedelaystocomethere。
Whenthetormentofhiswoundshadlessen’d,Tohisfaithfulwifehesentthismessage:
Atmycourtnolongerdaretotarry,Atmycourt,ore’enamongstmypeople。
Whenthewomanheardthiscruelmessage,Muteandfullofsorrowstoodthattrueone。
Atthedoorsshehearsthefeetofhorses,AndbethinksthatAsancomes——herhusband,Tothetowershesprings,toleapthenceheadlong,Hertwodarlingdaughtersfollowsadly,Andwhilstweepingbittertears,exclaimthey:
ThesearenotourfatherAsan’shorses。
’TisthybrotherPintorowichcoming!
SothewifeofAsanturnstomeethim,Claspsherarmsinanguishroundherbrother:
Seethysister’ssaddisgrace,ohbrother!
HowI’mbanish’d——motheroffivechildren!
Silentlyherbrotherfromhiswallet,Wrapp’dindeepred-silk,andreadywritten,Drawethforththeletterofdivorcement,Toreturnhometohermother’sdwelling,Freetobeanother’swifethenceforward。
Whenthewomansawthatmournfulletter,Ferventlyshekiss’dhertwosons’foreheads,Andhertwogirls’cheekswithfervourkiss’dshe,ButshefromthesucklinginthecradleCouldnottearherself,sodeephersorrow!
Soshe’stornthencebyherfierybrother,Onhisnimblesteedheliftsherquickly,Andsohastens,withtheheart-sadwoman,Straightwaytow’rdhisfather’sloftydwelling。
Shortthetimewas——sevendayshadpass’dnot,——
Yetenough’twas。manymightyprincesSoughtthewomaninherwidow’s-mourning。
Soughtthewoman,——astheirwifetheysoughther。
AndthemightiestwasImoski’sCadi,Andthewomanweepingbegg’dherbrother:
Bythylife,mybrother,Ientreatthee,Letmenotanother’swifebeever,LestmyheartbebrokenattheimageOfmypoor,mydearly-cherish’dchildren!
Toherprayerherbrotherwouldnothearken,Fix’dtowedhertoImoski’sCadi。
Yetthegoodoneceaselesslyimploredhim:
Send,atleastaletter,oh,mybrother,WiththismessagetoImoski’sCadi:
’Theyoungwidowsendstheefriendlygreeting。
Earnestlyshepraysthee,throughthisletter,That,whenthoucom’sthither,withthySuatians,Alongveilthou’ltbringme,’neathwhoseshadowImayhide,whennearthehouseofAsan,Andnotseemydearlycherish’dorphans。’
ScarcelyhadtheCadireadthisletter,Thanhegather’dallhisSuatiansroundhim,Andthentow’rdthebridehiscoursedirected,Andtheveilsheask’dfor,tookhewithhim。
Happilytheyreach’dtheprincess’dwelling,Fromthedwellinghappilytheyledher。
Butwhentheyapproach’dthehouseofAsan,Lo!thechildrensawfromhightheirmother,Andtheyshouted:Tothyhallsreturnthou!
Eatthysupperwiththydarlingchildren!
MournfullythewifeofAsanheardit,Tow’rdtheSuatianprincethenturn’dshe,saying:
Let,Ipray,theSuatiansandthehorsesAtthelovedones’doorashorttimetarry,ThatImaygivepresentstomychildren。
Andbeforethelovedones’doortheytarried,Andshepresentsgavetoherpoorchildren,Totheboysgavegold-embroider’dbuskins,Tothegirlsgavelongandcostlydresses,Tothesuckling,helplessinthecradle,Gaveagarment,tobewornhereafter。
ThisasidesawFatherAsanAga,——
Sadlycriedhetohisdarlingchildren:
Hithercome,yedearunhappyinfants,Foryourmother’sbreastisturn’dtoiron,Lock’dforever,closedtoallcompassion!
WhenthewifeofAsanheardhimspeakthus,Ontheground,allpaleandtrembling,fellshe,Andherspiritfledhersorrowingbosom,Whenshesawherchildrenflyingfromher。
1775——
CANTATAS——
Maythebardthesenumberspraise,Thataresunghisfametoraise——
THEPoemscomposedbyGoetheunderthistitlearefiveinnumber,ofwhichthreeareheregiven。Theothertwoareentirelypersonalintheirallusions,andnotofgeneralinterest。OneofthemisaRequiemonthePrincedeLigne,whodiedin1814,andwhomGoethecallsthehappiestmanofthecentury,andtheotherwascomposedinhonourofthe70thbirthdayofhisfriendZelterthecomposer,whenGoethewashimselfmorethan791828。
Thefollowingsweetariaintroducedinthelatteris,however,worthgiving:——
THEflowerssocarefullyrear’d,InagarlandforhimIofttwin’d:
Howsweethavetheyeverappear’d,Whenwreath’dforafrienddearandkind。
Thenincensesweetascended,Thennew-hornblossomsrose,WithgentlezephyrsblendedIntonesofsoftrepose——
IDYLL。
AvillageChorusissupposedtobeassembled,andabouttocommenceitsfestiveprocession。
[WrittenforthebirthdayoftheDuchessLouisaofWeimar。]
CHORUS。
THEfestaldayhailyeWithgarlandsofpleasure,Anddances’softmeasure,WithrapturecommingledAndsweetchoralsong。
DAMON。
Oh,howIyearnfromoutthecrowdtoflee!
Whatjoyasecretgladewouldgivetome!
Amidthethrong,theturmoilhere,Confinedtheplain,thebreezese’enappear。
CHORUS。
Noworderittruly,Thatev’ryonedulyMayroamandmaywander,Nowhere,andnowyonder,Themeadowsalong。
[TheChorusretreatsgradually,andthesongbecomesfainterandfainter,tillitdiesawayinthedistance。]
DAMON。
Invainyecall,invainwouldluremeon。
Truemyheartspeaks,——butwithitselfalone。
AndifImayviewAblessing-fraughtland,Theheaven’sclearblue,Andtheplain’sverdanthue,AloneI’llrejoice,Undisturbedbyman’svoice。
AndthereI’llpayhomageTowomanlymerit,Observeitinspirit,Inspiritpayhomage。
ToechoaloneShallmysecretbeknown。
CHORUS。
[FaintlyminglingwithDamon’ssonginthedistance。]
Toecho——alone——
Shallmysecret——beknown——
MENALCAS。
Myfriend,whymeetIherewiththee?
Thouhast’nestnottojointhefestalthrong?
Nolongerstay,butcomewithme,Andmingleinthedanceandsong。
DAMON。
Thou’rtwelcome,friend!butsuffermetoroamWheretheseoldbeecheshidemefromman’sview:
Loveseeksinsolitudeahome,Andhomagemayretreattheretoo。
MENALCAS。
Thouseekesthereaspuriousfame,Andhastamindto-daytogrieveme。
LoveasthyportionthoumaystclaimButhomagethoumustsharewithall,believeme!
Whentheirvoicesthousandsraise,Andthedawnofmorningpraise,Rapturebringing,BlithelysingingOnbeforeus,Heartandearinpleasurevie。
Andwhenthousandsjoininchorus,Withthefeelingsbrightlyglowing,Andthewishesoverflowing,Forciblythey’llbeartheehigh。
[TheChorusgraduallyapproaches,fromthedistance。]
DAMON。
Distantstrainsarehitherwending,AndI’mgladden’dbythethrong。
Yes,they’recoming,——yes,descendingTothevalleyfromtheheight,MENALCAS。
Letushaste,ourfootstepsblendingWiththerhythmofthesong!
Yes,theycome。theircoursethey’rebendingTow’rdthewood’sgreenswardsobright。
CHORUS。
[Graduallybecominglouder。]
Yes,wehithercome,attendingWiththeharmonyofsong,AsthehourstheirraceareendingOnthisdayofblestdelight。
ALL。
LetnonerevealThethoughtswefeel,Theaimsweown!
LetjoyaloneDisclosethestory!
She’llproveitrightAndherdelightIncludestheglory,IncludestheblissOfdayslikethis!
1813