My maiden she proved false to me; <br /> <br />To hate all joys I soon began, <br /> <br />Then to a flowing stream I ran,-- <br />The stream ran past me hastily. <br /> <br />There stood I fix'd, in mute despair; <br /> <br />My head swam round as in a dream; <br /> <br />I well-nigh fell into the stream, <br />And earth seem'd with me whirling there. <br /> <br />Sudden I heard a voice that cried-- <br /> <br />I had just turn'd my face from thence-- <br /> <br />It was a voice to charm each sense: <br />"Beware, for deep is yonder tide!" <br /> <br />A thrill my blood pervaded now, <br /> <br />I look'd and saw a beauteous maid <br /> <br />I asked her name--twas Kate, she said-- <br />"Oh lovely Kate! how kind art thou! <br /> <br />"From death I have been sav'd by thee, <br /> <br />'Tis through thee only that I live; <br /> <br />Little 'twere life alone to give, <br />My joy in life then deign to be!" <br /> <br />And then I told my sorrows o'er, <br /> <br />Her eyes to earth she sweetly threw; <br /> <br />I kiss'd her, and she kiss'd me too, <br />And--then I talked of death no more.<br /><br />Johann Wolfgang von Goethe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/preservation/
