The Poems of Goethe, Translated in the Original Metres · Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1770. ----- CHRISTEL.
To quench love's thirst I'd try; And could my torments not be quell'd, Upon her breast would die. ONE Spring-morning bright and fair, Roam'd a shepherdess and sang; Young and beauteous, free from care, Through the fields her clear notes rang: So, Ia, Ia! le ralla, &c. Of his lambs some two or three Thyrsis offer'd for a kiss; First she eyed him roguishly, Then for answer sang but this: So, Ia, Ia! le ralla, &c. Ribbons did the next one offer, And the third, his heart so true But, as with the lambs, the scoffer Laugh'd at heart and ribbons too,-- Still 'twas Ia! le ralla, &c. As at sunset I was straying Silently the wood along, Damon on his flute was playing, And the rocks gave back the song, So la, Ia! &c. Softly tow'rds him then he drew me; Sweet each kiss he gave me then! And I said, "Play once more to me!" And he kindly play'd again, So la, la! &c. All my peace for aye has fleeted, All my happiness has flown; Yet my ears are ever greeted With that olden, blissful tone, So la, la! &c.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.