Margarete Münsterberg, ed., trans. A Harvest of German Verse. 1916.
By Old HeidelbergJoseph Victor von Scheffel (18261886)
O
Thou town of honours fine.
Ah, there is none above thee,
By Neckar or the Rhine.
With wisdom blessed and wine!
How clear thy stream is flowing—
Blue eyes like sunlight shine!
And northward turns the spring,
A bridal gown it weaves thee
Of blossoms shimmering.
Upon my heart’s own ground,
And like a bride’s so dearly
I love thy name’s sweet sound.
And dreary grows the land,
I’ll spur my horse to bring me
Back unto Neckar’s strand!