C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Gottfried August Bürger (1747–1794)
The Witch
C
Do not turn nor look away.
Roguish eye! you must not wink—
I shall tell you all I think.
Here! Hallo! Don’t look away.
Child! attend to what I say!
You’ve an eye that’s clear and blue;
Cunning mouth and little nose
Have their merits, I suppose.
Charming is the word to fit it,—
Yes, you’re charming; I admit it.
But no empress anywhere.
No! I cannot quite allow
Beauty’s crown would suit your brow.
Charming there and charming here
Do not make a queen, my dear.
Brown as berries, fair as pearls,
Each of whom might claim the prize
Given to loveliest lips and eyes—
Yes, a hundred might go in,
Challenge you, sweet child, and win.
Why, what a number! Yet there may
A hundred thousand girls combine
To drive thee from this heart of mine;
May try together, try alone,—
My empress they cannot dethrone.
Over me, your own true knight?
Like an empress is your reign
In my heart for joy or pain;
Death or life, your royal right,
He accepts—your own true knight.
Look at me and make reply.
Witch! I wish to understand
How I came into your hand.
Look at me and make reply:
Tell me, roguish lip and eye.
The meaning of this mystery.
Tied so tight by nothing, dear?
Ah! there must be magic here!
Up and down, sweet sorceress, tell!
Where’s your wand, and what’s your spell?