Kein Holz ist also fest in Kern und Rinden

Kein Holz ist also fest in Kern und Rinden,
Kein Stein hat solche Härte je errungen,
Daß sie, die grausam meinen Tod bedungen,
Nicht mit dem Blick ihn könnt’ in Lieb’ entzünden.

Wer sie erschaut, der wird im Herzen finden
Des Blickes Pfeil, ist ihm nicht Flucht gelungen.
Dann muß er sterben, weil er nie errungen
Den Lohn, den sonsten treue Dienste künden.

Warum, ach, wurde solche Machtenfülle
Den Augen dieser spröden Frau gegeben,
Die keinen ihrer Treuen läßt am Leben,

Daß mitleidlos sie stolz, voll Widerstreben,
Den Wunsch nicht dem, der für sie stirbt, erfülle
Und ihre Reize gar vor ihm verhülle?

Collection: 
German
Translator Simple: 
Albert Ritter (Karl Förster, Karl Ludwig Kannegießer)
1922
Dante Alighieri

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