May Song (1771)

 

How fine a light on

Nature today!

The sun's in glory!

The fields at play!

 

What feats of blossom

A twig achieves!

A thousand voices

Delight the leaves!

 

And every pleasure

For girl, for boy!

The sun-warm country

Of joy on joy!

 

O love! O lovely!

My golden girl!

Like clouds at morning

Your rose and pearl!

 

You lean in blessing

On earth's cool bloom,

The world a richness of

Dense perfume!

 

O darling, darling!

I'm wild for you!

Your lashes dazzle:

You love me too!

 

The lark loves singing

Away up there:

The flowers at morning

Delight in air,

 

As I adore you, with

Blood a-thrill!

It's youth you give me,

Ecstatic will

 

For newer music

And dancing! Be

In bliss forever,

As you love me!

 

 

Translated by John Frederick Nims