I dread what you extol;
Your heavy eyes, as though possessed,
Gleam down into my soul."
'But why
should I descend to thee?
Far better what I give;
My days are all eternity,
While you but one hour live.'
'I would
not chosen phrases seek,
Nor carefully my world arrange,
But though with human mouth you speak,
Your speech to me is strange.
Yet if you
wish to prove your worth,
That I betroth myself to you,
Well, then come down to me on earth
And be a mortal too.'
'You ask
my endless life above
To barter for a kiss.
Aye, I will show how my love,
How deep my longing is.
My birthright
I will fling aside
To be reborn of sin, and I
Who to all rolling time am tied,
Will that great knot untie.'
At which
he turned and went away
Midst a cloud of sombre pearl,
To renounce his birthright from that day
For the love of a mortal girl.
About this
time young Catalin
Was a page boy of that house,
Who filled the festive cups with wine
At feast and royal carouse,
And carried
high the regal train;
A foundling, brought by chance,
Born of a humble unknown strain,
Though roguish in his glance,
Round-cheeked, like rose-apples red,
Mischievous, bright-eyed,
He slipped with quick yet stealthy tread
To Catalina's side.
Upon my soul, Queen of romance!
Was such a darling ever?
Come Catalin, quick try your chance,
For now's your time or never.
At which he round her waist did twine
His arm in sudden wooing.
'Behave, you rascal Catalin,
Whatever are you doing?'
'By sorrow brooding all the while
You would your heart assuage,
But better you would turn and smile
And kiss just once your page.'
'I know not what your wishes are,
Leave me alone, you knave.
Ah me! The longing for that star
Will drive me to the grave.'
'If you don't know, and you would learn
How love is set about,
Don't recklessly my teaching spurn,
First fairly hear me out.
As trappers deftly birds pursue
With nets among the tree,
When I stretch out my arm to you,
Slip your arm thus round me.
Your eyes into my eyes must glow,
Nor turn away, nor close;
And when I lift you softly, so,
Rise gently on your toes.
And when my face is downwards bent
Your face turned up will stay,
That we may gaze with sweet intent
Forever and a day.
