Translated by Petre Grimm <br />So like the sweet, white cherry blossom, <br />So tender and so fresh thou art, <br />And on my life’s way like an angel <br />Appearing thou dost light impart. <br />Thou scarcely touchest the soft carpet, <br />The silk on thee doth rustling stream, <br />From top to toe so light and lofty, <br />Thou floatest like an airy dream. <br />From draping folds like purest marble <br />Thine image unto me appears, <br />My whole soul on thine eyes is hanging, <br />Those eyes so full of joy and tears. <br />O happy dream of love, so happy, <br />Thou bride of fairy tales, so mild, <br />No, do not smile! Thy smille doth show me <br />How sweet thou art, thou gentle child. <br />My poor eyes thou canst close for ever <br />With deepest night’s eternal charms, <br />With thy sweet lips’ sweet fondling, whispers, <br />Embracing me with thy cool arms. <br />A veiling thought at once now passes <br />Thy glowing eyes thus covering: <br />It is the dark renunciation, <br />The sweetest yearning’s shadowing. <br />Thou go’st away and, well I know it, <br />To follow thee must I no more, <br />Thou art for me now lost for ever, <br />My soul’s dear bride, whom I adore. <br />My only guilt was that I saw thee, <br />Which I to pardon have no might, <br />Mine arm I’ll stretch for ever vainly <br />To expiate my dream of light. <br />Like holy Virgin’s purest image <br />In my fond eyes thou will rise now, <br />The brightest crown on forehead bearing, <br />Where dost thou go? When comest thou?
