Verses by Sophie Albrecht, translated by Julia Kalman
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Alone I roam the twilight shore,
With tearful gaze, I mourn and implore,
The last red glow on the western sky lingers.
Woe is me! It descends, oh dread,
The most fearful of nights ahead.
Ah! She comes adorned like a bride,
As at love’s festal tide.
The Deceiver! — with cheerful mien,
Offers me the cup, unseen.
Every sorrow in her presence hides;
Around, serene quiet abides –
Yet my lament louder resounds,
Through these silent, sorrowful bounds.
Where are you, who vowed to hold,
Me close, never to unfold? –
Who could tear me from your embrace?
Did you not swear: Your love, a fortress?
Where are you?
Why do I weep in sorrow sheer?
Do you sleep, my dear?
Does no foreboding weigh on your breast,
As I, with hot tears, am distressed? –
Wake! wake from slumber’s nest,
And heed this parting, earnest,
Of your departing love, distressed.
Do you hear the sailors’ merry din,
Through the night’s silent spin? –
Listen! — the cheerful sound
Foretells a separation profound.
The wind from shore
Inflates the sails, once more,
And the fluttering flags
Wave in farewell’s jag.
Ah! the deceitful sea,
Masks its treachery
In the garb of the sky, so blue, so grand –
And its raging children,
The Deceiver has beguiled,
To sweetly whisper, as love smiled.
The storm slumbers in its nest,
Only the west kisses the crest,
Gentle, as it once did sway
On our bower, in love’s play.
They call: Farewell! –
Farewell! –
I stagger the last step,
On the paternal shore’s prep.
Farewell! –
World and heaven fade,
From my gaze, light cascades.
Only your image still hovers,
Like the breath of the divine covers.
It sank on the purple wing,
The last joyful day, bidding,
From the homeland’s hill,
I watched it, with tears, until.
Sea, rend the heavenly shroud!
Storm, disperse the gentle crowd!
Take me into the abyss’s flood,
Where life’s hope doth elude:
Never shall his image fade,
In my soul, it’s forever laid.
Sophie Albrecht (1756–1840) was a German actress and writer.
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Julia Kalman 