The Lore-Lei

Anonymous translation from the German I KNOW not whence it rises, This thought so full of woe;— But a tale of times departed Haunts me—and will not go. The air is cool, and it darkens, And calmly flows the Rhine; The mountain peaks are sparkling In the sunny evening-shine. And yonder sits a maiden, The fairest of the fair; With gold is her garment glittering, And she combs her golden hair. With a golden comb she combs it, And a wild song singeth she, That melts the heart with a wondrous And powerful melody. The boatman feels his bosom With a nameless longing move; He sees not the gulfs before him, His gaze is fixed above, Till over boat and boatman The Rhine’s deep waters run; And this with her magic singing The Lore-Lei hath done!

Collection: 
English
1817
Heinrich Heine
Sub Title: 
Poems of Fancy: II. Fairies: Elves: Sprites

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