Home > Authors Index > Browse all available works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > Text of Ballad of the banished and returning Count
A poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
||
Ballad of the banished and returning Count |
||
________________________________________________
Title: Ballad of the banished and returning Count Author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [More Titles by Goethe] Goethe began to write an opera called Lowenstuhl, founded upon the old tradition which forms the subject of this Ballad, but he never carried out his design.]
The portals we straightway will bar. To the forest, on wolves to make war. 'Till brother and I learn it right; For children hear tales with delight. "At midnight, when darkness its fearful veil weaves, But first he has buried his wealth. As the Count quits the gateway by stealth? What bears he along in his flight? The children they hear with delight. "The morning soon glimmers. the world is so wide, The bard in each village is cheer'd. And longer still waxes his beard; 'Neath her star all-protecting and bright, The children they hear with delight. "And year upon year with swift footstep now steals, The maiden no more it can hold. His joy cannot now be controll'd. How noble and fair to the sight! The children they hear with delight. "Then comes there a princely knight galloping by, But alms he refuses to give. 'Thou art mine!' he exclaims, 'while I live!' A princess thou'lt make her of right; The children they hear with delight. "So she's bless'd by the priest on the hallowed place, From her father she fain would not part. He covers with joy his sad heart. And my grandchildren far from my sight; The children they hear with delight. He blesses the children: a knocking they hear, The old man they cannot conceal-- Straight seize him, ye vassals of steel! The mother from far hears the fight; The children they hear with delight. The vassals they suffer the Bard to stand there, The proud prince would stifle his ire, His smouldering anger takes fire: Eclipsing my star, once so bright! The children they hear with affright. The old man still stands there with dignified mien, The Count's fury increases in power; And these are the fruits from that flower! That to wed with the base-born is right; The children they hear with affright. "If the husband, the father, thus treats you with scorn, Then come to your father--to me! Though aged and weak he may be. Thy people 'twas put me to flight; The children they hear with delight. "The king who erst govern'd returneth again, I'll unseal all my treasures the while; The old man thus cries with a smile-- And each hath a star that is bright, The children thy hear with delight.
-THE END- GO TO TOP OF SCREEN |