English

Wenn ich, beseligt von schonen Küssen

When in your arms and in our kisses
I find Love's sweet and happiest season,
My Germany you must never mention —
I cannot bear it: there is a reason.

Oh, silence your chatter on anything German;
You must not plague me or ask me to share it.
Be still when you think of my home or my kindred —
There is a reason: I cannot bear it.

The oaks are green, and the German women

Ich halte ihr die Augen zu

I close her eyes, and keep them tight
Whene'er we come to kiss;
Her laughter, curious and bright,
Asks me the cause of this.

From early morn till late at night
She questions why it is
I close her eyes and keep them tight
Whene'er we come to kiss.

I do not even know — not quite,
What my own reason is —
I close her eyes, and keep them tight

Ach, wie schon bist du, wenn traulich

Ah, how sweet you are, confiding
All your thoughts in me, your lover,
When, with noble words and phrases,
Your impulsive mind runs over.

When you tell me that your thoughts are
Large and of a lofty fashion;
How your heart's pride, not too stubborn,
Is at war with your compassion.

How you'd never give yourself for
Millions — no, you could not bear it!

Wie entwickeln sich doch schnelle

How from such a chance beginning
And in what a casual fashion,
There has grown so close a union,
Such a great and tender passion.

Every day this charming creature
Holds me faster in her power,
And the feeling that I love her
Grows upon me hour by hour.

And her soul has beauty? Frankly,
That's a matter of opinion;
But I'm quite sure of the other

Wie rasch du auch vorüberschrittest

Although you hurried coldly past me,
Your eyes looked backward and askance;
Your lips were curiously parted,
Though stormy pride was in your glance.

Would I had never tried to hold you,
Nor seek your white and flowing train!
Would I had never found your footsteps,
Or seeking them, had sought in vain!

Now, all your pride and wildness vanished,

Ich bin die Prinzessin Ilse

I am the Princess Ilse
And I dwell at Ilsenstein.
Come with me to my castle,
Thou shalt be blest — and mine.

There I shall bathe thy forehead
With waters clear and glad,
Until thy pain shall vanish,
Thou sick and sorrowing lad.

With my white arms about thee
Upon my breast thou'lt be;
And thou shalt lie there dreaming

Heller wird es schon im Osten

Comes a spark, the sun's first glimmer;
And the eastern sky's in motion.
Far and faint the mountain summits
Float upon a misty ocean.

Had I seven-league boots, I'd hasten
With the wind, as fast as telling;
Running on the tops of mountains
Till I reach my dear one's dwelling.

I would draw the curtains softly
From her bed, where she lies dreaming;

Konig ist der Hirtenknabe

He's a king, this happy herd-boy,
And his throne's the grassy down;
And the sun above his forehead
Is his great and golden crown.

At his feet the sheep are lying,
Flattering courtiers, soft and sly;
And his cavaliers are cattle,
Stamping arrogantly by.

And the kids are his court-players;
Flutes of birds that hold carouse
Make a splendid chamber-music

Still versteckt der Mond sich draussen

Still the bashful moon is hiding
Close behind the evergreen;
And the lamp upon the table
Flickers and is scarcely seen.

But those two blue stars are shining
O'er the heaven of her cheeks;
And the crimson rose is glowing,
And the lovely child still speaks.

" Tiny goblins, imp-like faeries
Clean our little cupboard bare;
It is full of food at evening

Tannenbaum, mit grünen Fingern

Now the fir-tree's long, green fingers
Tap against the window-pane,
And the moon, that quiet listener,
Sheds a flood of golden rain.

Father, mother, sleeping soundly,
Snore for hours without a break;
But we two, with lively chatter,
Keep each other wide awake.

" That you spend much time in praying
I've my doubts; for always there