The Erl King [Poem]
O, who rides by night thro’ the woodland so wild?
it is the fond father embracing his child
and close the boy nestles within his loved arm
to hold himself fast and to keep himself warm
oh, father, see yonder! see yonder! he says
my child, upon what dost thou fearfully gaze?
o ’tis the Erl king with his crown and his shroud
no, my child, it is but a dark wreath of a cloud
o, come and go with me, thou loveliest child
by many a gay sport shall thy time be beguild
my mother tends for thee, full many a fair toy
and many a fine flower shall she pluck for my boy.
o ,father! my father! and did you not hear
the Erl king whisper so low in my ear?
be still my heart’s darling, my child be at ease,
it was but the wild blast as it sang thro’ the trees
o, come and go with me, thou loveliest boy
my daughter shall tend thee with care and with joy
she shall bear thee so lightly, thro’ wet and thro’ wild
and kiss thee, and press thee, and sing to my child
o,father! my father! and saw you not plain
the Erl king’s pale daughter glide past thro’ the rain?
o, yes my loved treasure, i knew it full soon
it was the gray willow that danced to the moon
o, come and go with me and go with me, no longer delay
or else silly child, i will drag thee away
o, father!my father! now, now, keep your hold
the Erl king has seized me, his grasp is so cold
November 14th, 2006 at 4:36 am
hello!