Margarete Münsterberg, ed., trans. A Harvest of German Verse. 1916.
By Gretchens SongJohann Wolfgang von Goethe (17491832)
M
My heart’s in pain;
I’ll never, never
Find peace again.
Is a grave for me,
The world and all
Is turned to gall.
Is gone astray,
My sense has fled
Oh, quite away.
My heart’s in pain;
I’ll never, never
Find peace again.
For him I gaze,
I seek him only
On all my ways.
His bearing high,
The smile on his lips,
The power of his eye!
What magic bliss,
To feel his hand,
And—oh, his kiss!
My heart’s in pain;
I’ll never, never
Find peace again.
To hold him fast.
If I could clasp him—
What joy at last!
With my last breath,
Till with his kisses
I found my death!