BALLAD

ballad

fromthegerman

(spring,1800.textof1818)

thecloudsareblackening,thestormsthreatening,

andevertheforestmakethamoan:

billowsarebreaking,thedamsel'sheartaching,

thusbyherselfshesingethalone,

weepingrightplenteously.

"theworldisempty,theheartisdeadsurely,

inthisworldplainlyallseemethamiss:

tothybreast,holyone,takenowthylittleone,

ihavehadearnestofallearth'sbliss,

livingrightlovingly."