Proof of Love

(translation of a folk song from Des Knaben Wunderhorn)

The linden bewatched the hollow dale,
The tree bent down, the top was hale.
While underneath two sweethearts sat,
Their worries trying to forget.

"My lady, we must now sunder,
I must still seven years wander."
"Must thou still seven years wander,
I wouldn't wed no other."

As soon as the seven years flew by,
She braided her hair with cloth.
Then came she to the garden,
Her betrothen abiding.

So came she under the lindens,
While trying there to meet him.
Next went she to a greening holt,
There came a rider looking haught.

"God greet thee, maiden fine,
What wait'st thou here alone?
Hath thee thy father or mother made sad,
Or art thou of thy husband dread?"

"My father and mother made me not sad,
Nor have I at home a husband.
Now are three days over seven years,
As long as my lord went to foreign lands."

"Yesternoon was I riding through a townlet,
Where thy betrothed another wed.
What would thou wish then for the lord,
Who wickedly broke his own word?"

"I wish him as much fairy time,
As sand of the sea, so deep and wide.
I wish him so much bliss and luck,
As there are stars in th'heaven dark."

"I wish him as much offspring,
As sprouts hath an ashtree.
I wish a wonderful wedding night
To him who never will be nigh."

What took he then off his finger?
A ring of shining gold fine.
He threw the ringlet to her feet,
She wept until the metal heated.

What took anew he from his pocket?
A handkerchief white chalky.
"Wipe out all thy tears,
Thou shalt be mine from henceforth.

I only had to try thee:
Won't thou swear and damn me either?
And, after thy only and angry word,
Forthwith I'd ride my stallion backward."

[2024]