A Dirge

"Mein Herz, mein Herz ist traurig

Doch lustig leuchtet der Mai"

There's May amid the meadows,

   There's May amid the trees;

Her May-time note the cuckoo

   Sends forth upon the breeze.

Above the rippling river

   May swallows skim and dart;

November and December

   Keep watch within my heart.

The spring breathes in the breezes,

   The woods with wood-notes ring,

And all the budding hedgerows

   Are fragrant of the spring.

In secret, silent places

   The live green things upstart;

Ice-bound, ice-crown'd dwells winter

   For ever in my heart.

Upon the bridge I linger,

   Near where the lime-trees grow;

Above, swart birds are circling,

   Beneath, the stream runs slow.

A stripling and a maiden

   Come wand'ring up the way;

His eyes are glad with springtime,

   Her face is fair with May.

Of warmth the sun and sweetness

   All nature takes a part;

The ice of all the ages

   Weighs down upon my heart.