Und wollen mich die klugen Leute fragen,
Von wem ich es gelernt, in Versen sprechen:
Im Herzen muß ich jene Gluten tragen,
Die klingend, singend dann zu Tage brechen.
Am Tag, wo Nena mir zuerst begegnet,
Da ward mit Versen mir der Geist gesegnet.
Am Tag, wo Nena's Lächeln mich ließ hoffen,
Sah ich die Thür des Paradieses offen,
Und heut, wo Nena's Herz in Flammen steht,
Bin ich ein großer König und Poet.
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In a footnote to Line 5 Heyse informs readers that "Nena" is a short form of "Maddalena" ("Abkürzung von Maddalena").
Confirmed with Paul Heyse, Italienisches Liederbuch, Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz (Bessersche Buchhandlung), 1860, page 3.
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Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs
[Senior Associate Editor]This text was added to the website: 2010-01-28
Line count: 10
Word count: 77
And if the clever people wish to ask me
From whom I learned to speak in verses:
In my heart I must carry those glowing embers
That resoundingly, singingly break forth to the light of day.
The day upon which I first met Nena
My spirit was blessed with verses.
The day upon which Nena's smiles first let me hope
I saw the door of Paradise open,
And today when Nena's heart is completely engulfed in flames of love,
I am a great king and poet.
