Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WOMAN'S LOVE AND LIFE, by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO Poet's Biography First Line: Since mine eyes beheld him, Last Line: O thou, my all! | ||||||||
1 SINCE mine eyes beheld him, Blind I seem to be; Wheresoe'er they wander, Him alone they see. Round me glows his image, In a waking dream; From the darkness rising Brighter doth it beam. All is drear and gloomy That around me lies; Now my sister's pastimes I no longer prize; In my chamber rather Would I weep alone; Since my eyes beheld him Blind methinks I'm grown. 2 He, the best of all, the noblest, O how gentle! O how kind! Lips of sweetness, eyes of brightness, Steadfast courage, lucid mind. As on high, in Heaven's azure, Bright and splendid, beams yon star, Thus he in my heaven beameth, Bright and splendid, high and far. Wander, wander where thou listest, I will gaze but on thy beam; With humility behold it, In a sad, yet blissful dream. Hear me not thy bliss imploring With prayer's silent eloquence? Know me now, a lowly maiden, Star of proud magnificence! May thy choice be rendered happy By the worthiest alone! And I'll call a thousand blessings Down on her exalted throne. Then I'll weep with tears of gladness; Happy, happy then my lot! If my heart should rive asunder, Break, O heartit matters not! 3 Is it true? O, I cannot believe it; A dream doth my senses enthrall; O can he have made me so happy, And exalted me thus above all? Meseems as if he had spoken, "I am thine, ever faithful and true!" MeseemsO still am I dreaming It cannot, it cannot be true! O fain would I, rocked on his bosom, In the sleep of eternity lie; That death were indeed the most blissful, In the rapture of weeping to die. 4 Help me, ye sisters, Kindly to deck me, Me, O the happy one, aid me this morn! Let the light finger Twine the sweet myrtle's Blossoming garland, my brow to adorn! As on the bosom Of my loved one, Wrapt in the bliss of contentment, I lay, He, with soft longing In his heart thrilling, Ever impatiently sighed for today. Aid me, ye sisters, Aid me to banish Foolish anxieties, timid and coy, That I with sparkling Eye may receive him, Him the bright fountain of rapture and joy. Do I behold thee, Thee, my beloved one, Dost thou, O sun, shed thy beam upon me? Let me devoutly, Let me in meekness Bend to my lord and my master the knee! Strew, ye fair sisters, Flowers before him, Cast budding roses around at his feet! Joyfully quitting Now your bright circle, You, lovely sisters, with sadness I greet. 5 Dearest friend, thou lookest On me with surprise, Dost thou wonder wherefore Tears suffuse mine eyes? Let the dewy pearl-drops Like rare gems appear, Trembling, bright with gladness, In their crystal sphere. With what anxious raptures Doth my bosom swell! O had I but language What I feel to tell! Come and hide thy face, love, Here upon my breast, In thine ear I'll whisper Why I am so blest. Now the tears thou knowest Which my joy confessed, Thou shalt not behold them, Thou, my dearest, best; Linger on my bosom, Feel its throbbing tide; Let me press thee firmly, Firmly, to my side! Here may rest the cradle, Close my couch beside, Where it may in silence My sweet vision hide; Soon will come the morning, When my dream will wake, And thy smiling image Will to life awake. 6 Upon my heart, and upon my breast, Thou joy of all joys, my sweetest, best! Bliss, thou art love; O love, thou art bliss I've said it, and seal it here with a kiss. I thought no happiness mine could exceed, But now I am happy, O happy indeed! She only, who to her bosom hath pressed The babe who drinketh life at her breast; 'Tis only a mother the joys can know Of love, and real happiness here below. How I pity man, whose bosom reveals No joys like that which a mother feels! Thou look'st on me, with a smile on thy brow, Thou dear, dear little angel, thou! Upon my heart, and upon my breast, Thou joy of all joys, my sweetest, best! 7 Ah, thy first wound hast thou inflicted now! But oh! how deep! Hard-hearted, cruel man, now sleepest thou Death's long, long sleep. I gaze upon the void in silent grief, The world is drear; I've lived and loved, but now the verdant leaf Of life is sere. I will retire within my soul's recess, The veil shall fall; I'll live with thee and my past happiness, O thou, my all! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CASTLE OF BONCOURT by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO THE CRUCIFIX by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO THE LION'S BRIDE by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO THE OLD SINGER by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO THE OLD WASHERWOMAN by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO THE TOY OF THE GIANT'S CHILD by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO THE WOMEN OF WEINSBERG by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO WOMAN'S LOVE AND LIFE, SELECTION by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO WOMAN'S LOVE AND LIFE, SELECTION by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO |
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