Nikolaus Lenau: “An Experience of Travel”

Excerpt, “English Echoes of German Song.” Tr. by R. E. Wallis, J. D. Morell and F. D’Anvers. Ed. by N. D’Anvers. London: 1877.

AN EXPERIENCE OF TRAVEL

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THE Birchen-stems in silver dight

I saw so palely gleaming,

As if on them, from out the night,

The moonlight still were beaming.

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I saw a cottage in the grove,—

The grove of Birches slender :

It beckoned me with friendly love

A welcome kind to tender.

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For in the ruddy morning glow

Glistened each tiny casement ;

And walls with Roses all ablow

Were clothed from top to basement.

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The trailing Vine-branch hung aloof,

Enriched with purple clusters ;

The doves sate cooing on the roof.

And made their morning musters.

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The early lark with joyous spring,

Into the sky up-soarlng,

Sang out, and made the welkin ring,

From heaven its strains down-pouring.

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Then thought I ; —if that casement should

Sudden unclose to greet me ;

And if within my darling stood,

And thence tripped forth to meet me.

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Of all my fancies, thou most fair !

Ah ! if to me ’twere given

Alone with her to dwell, and share

This peaceful forest-heaven !

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With her to pass the Spring’s bright days,

At eve with her to wander, —

And, of the nightingale’s sweet lays

The source, with her to ponder.

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With her the wither’d leaves to watch

In Autumn’s blasts careering; —

I’d teach her new delights to snatch

From old ones disappearing.

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When trees are clothed in wintry dress,

My love sweet songs should sing me:

And then, what more of blessedness

Could earth or heaven bring me ?

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I scarcely dared to breathe or stir,

Lest all these joys Elysian,

Cottage and Roses too, with her

Should vanish, —all a vision !

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But see ! From out the cottage door

An early huntsman sallies,

His dogs loud baying, bound before,

Adown the leafy alleys.

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He followed in the woodland track,

And gave me fair good-morrow :

I gave him hasty greeting back ;

And went my way—in sorrow.