I gazed at her, that gracious child!
I gazed at her, she mildly smiled,
She smiled till my heart was swollen,
And my keen daring words were spoken:

" Take all, everything I possess,
I'll yield it all, and nothing less,
If I could become your lover
From midnight till the morning hour. "

She gazed at me in a strange way,
That did inward conflicts convey,
Then the lovely maid spoke: " For this,
Yield me your soul's eternal bliss! "

" My sweet life, youthful blood, I would
Gladly give you, with cheerful mood,
Earthly angel, to gain your love,
But I'll never yield life above. "

Hardly did I these words utter,
That she blossomed more than ever,
And the pretty maid repeats this:
" Yield me your soul's eternal bliss! "

These words fell on me sullenly,
Rushing like a fierce glowing see
Down to my soul's innermost depth;
And I could hardly keep my breath.

There came a group of angels white,
Their golden halos shining bright;
But then, a group of awful black
Goblins were swarming to attack.

They wrestled with the angels dear,
Compelling them to disappear;
And then, the awful black crew too,
Melted away like morning dew.

I could have died of rapture there,
My arm around my maiden fair;
She nestled softly, like a deer,
Yet shed many a bitter tear.

My sweet darling weeps; I know why,
And her rosy sweet lips kiss I.
" Don't cry, my love! All will be well,
Surrender to sweet passion's spell! "

And hardly had I spoken twice,
I felt my blood turning to ice;
Loud shook the trembling earth around,
Forming a wide gulf in the ground.

And from the dark abyss prevail
The black goblins; my love turns pale!
And is, all of a sudden, gone,
Leaving me utterly alone.

The awful crew around me danced,
In wondrous circle, then advanced;
Drawing closer, they captured me,
While laughing at me mockingly.

Narrower still the circle grew,
And louder hummed the awful crew:
" You yielded your hopes of bliss, thus,
You, forever, belong to us! "