Als Ich, Auf Der Reise

Just by chance on my journey

I met my beloved’s kin,

Sister and father and mother

Knew me, and welcomed me in.

They asked me how I was faring,

And said, as I entered the place,

That I wasn’t changed a bit, just

A little thin in the face.

I asked after aunts and cousins,

After many a tiresome one,

And asked how their little dog,

With its soft little bark had done.

And I asked about my darling,

Married now, by and by:

They kindly gave me an answer:

In childbed she did lie.

And I offered congratulations,

And murmured lovingly,

To give her a thousand greetings

With all their heart, from me.

Little sister interrupted:

Their dog so sweet and fine,

Had grown quite large and fierce,

And been drowned in the Rhine.

That little one’s like my darling,

Especially when she smiles:

The look that made me miserable:

She has the selfsame eyes.