BEAUTY ROHTRAUT ( From Moricke )

By George Meredith

What is the name of King Ringang's daughter?

Rohtraut, Beauty Rohtraut!

And what does she do the livelong day,

Since she dare not knit and spin alway?

O hunting and fishing is ever her play!

And, heigh! that her huntsman I might be!

I'd hunt and fish right merrily!

Be silent, heart!

And it chanced that, after this some time, -

Rohtraut, Beauty Rohtraut, -

The boy in the Castle has gained access,

And a horse he has got and a huntsman's dress,

To hunt and to fish with the merry Princess;

And, O! that a king's son I might be!

Beauty Rohtraut I love so tenderly.

Hush! hush! my heart.

Under a grey old oak they sat,

Beauty, Beauty Rohtraut!

She laughs:‘ Why look you so slyly at me?

If you have heart enough, come, kiss me.’

Cried the breathless boy,‘ kiss thee?’

But he thinks, kind fortune has favoured my youth;

And thrice he has kissed Beauty Rohtraut's mouth.

Down! down! mad heart.

Then slowly and silently they rode home, -

Rohtraut, Beauty Rohtraut!

The boy was lost in his delight:

‘ And, wert thou Empress this very night,

I would not heed or feel the blight;

Ye thousand leaves of the wild wood wist

How Beauty Rohtraut's mouth I kiss'd.

Hush! hush! wild heart.’