Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DURAND, by JOHANN LUDWIG UHLAND


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DURAND, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: To the ancient house of balbi
Last Line: Through the empty halls of heaven.
Subject(s): Heaven; Sleep; Youth; Paradise


TO the ancient house of Balbi,
With a bosom music-swelling,
Came Durand, the gallant minstrel;
Soon he nears the lofty dwelling.

There a fair and youthful maiden
To his harp will fondly listen,
And her cheeks will glow with crimson,
And her eyes will fill and glisten.

Underneath the Linden's shadow,
Now his greeting softly ringeth,
With a full-toned voice, the sweetest
Of his many lays he singeth.

From the lattice -- from the window,
Blossoms wave to greet the lover,
But the mistress of his music
Nowhere can the youth discover.

And a man came out to meet him --
Sad he looked and heavy-hearted, --
'Trouble not the dead who slumber,
Lady Bianca hath departed!'

But Durand, the gallant minstrel,
Hath no word in answer spoken.
Closed are his eyes for ever,
And his noble heart is broken!

In the distant cloister chapel,
Where the lovely corpse reposes,
Torches all around her burning,
And her body strewed with roses.

Fear and wonder, hope and trembling,
All the crowd of mourners seizeth,
When, the darksome bier forsaking,
Lady Bianca slowly riseth.

From the gloomy trance awaking,
In her beauty hath she risen,
Like a blushing bride she cometh,
Shrouded from her narrow prison,

Still of what had passed unconscious,
Still, as if by dreams surrounded,
Asks she gently -- 'Young Durand --
Hath not here his music sounded?'

Yes, indeed, 'twas his that sounded,
But that song is past and spoken;
He hath broke thy death-like slumber,
His shall never more be broken!

To the house of saints and angels,
Hath he gone to seek the lady,
Seek his own beloved maiden,
Who he deemed was there already.

All the bright and glorious mansions
To his heedless glance are given --
Bianca! Bianca! calls he ever,
Through the empty halls of Heaven.





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