“Mein Herz, mein Herz ist traurig
Doch lustig leuchtet der Mai”
There’s May amid the meadows,
There’s May amid the trees;
Her May‐time note the cuckoo
Sends forth upon the breeze.
Above the rippling river
May swallows skim and dart;
November and December
Keep watch within my heart.
The spring breathes in the breezes,
The woods with wood‐notes ring,
And all the budding hedgerows
Are fragrant of the spring.
In secret, silent places
The live green things upstart;
Ice‐bound, ice‐crown’d dwells winter
For ever in my heart.
Upon the bridge I linger,
Near where the lime‐trees grow;
Above, swart birds are circling,
Beneath, the stream runs slow.
A stripling and a maiden
Come wand’ring up the way;
His eyes are glad with springtime,
Her face is fair with May.
Of warmth the sun and sweetness
All nature takes a part;
The ice of all the ages
Weighs down upon my heart.