Mignon

(from Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre, 1795)

 

Knowst thou the land of flowering lemon trees?

In leafage dark the golden orange glows,

From azure sky there wafts a gentle breeze,

Calm the myrtle, high the laurel grows,

Knowst thou it still?

Aiee, aiee,

There would I go, beloved mine, with thee.

 

Knowst thou the house? Its column-bedded roof,

The shining hall, the inner room aglow,

The marble statues gaze but do not move:

What have they done, poor child, to hurt thee so?

Knowst thou it still?

Aiee, aiee,

There would I go, protector mine, with thee.

 

Knowst thou the mountain, stepping up through cloud?

The mule in mist treads out his path; a cave,

And in it dwells the ancient dragon brood;

The crag swoops down and over it the wave;

Knowst thou it still?

Aiee, aiee,

There goes the way, father, for thee and me.

 

 

(This translation is dedicated to the memory of Gerard de Nerval)

Translated by Christopher Middleton