Welcome and Farewell
My heart was beating, swiftly to horse!
Faster even than thought it was done.
Already evening cradled earth’s course,
And night hung over the mountain cone:
Already the misty oak-tree stood,
A vast giant, towering upwards there,
Where from out the shadowy wood
A hundred dark eyes seemed to stare.
From a bank of cloud the Moon gazed,
Sadly out of the mist about her,
The winds beat soft wings, and strayed
Around my terror-stricken ears:
The night begot a thousand monsters,
But my spirit was joyful, lively:
Deep inside my veins what fire!
Deep inside my heart what heat!
I saw you, and full measure of bliss
Flowed to me from your sweet eyes:
I drew for you my every breath,
My heart was wholly on your side.
Springtime’s rose-red glow, it shone
All about your lovely face, lit
Tenderly for me – dear God!
I had hoped, but not deserved it!
But ah, already at morning light
My heart was crushed in parting:
In your kisses what delight!
In your eyes what suffering!
I went, you stood, looked from above,
And saw me go with tearful gaze:
And yet what joy to be loved!
Dear God, to love what happiness!