by John Richardson
Translation by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870)

Love without hope
Language: English 
Our translations:  SPA
Her features speak the warmest heart,
But not for me its ardour glows;
In that soft blush I have no part
Thet mingles with her bosom's snows.
In that dear drop I have no share
That trembles in her melting eye;
Nor is my love the tender care
That birds her heave that anxious sigh.

Not fancy's happiest hours create
Visions of rapture as divine,
As the pure bliss which must await
The man whose soul is knit to thine.
But ah! Farewell this treacherous theme,
Which, though'tis misery to forego,
Yields yet of joy the soothing dream,
That grief like mine thou ne'er shalt know.

Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • GER German (Deutsch) (Georg Pertz) , "Liebe ohne Hoffnung"
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Susana Martin Dudoignon) , "Amor sin esperanza", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani

This text was added to the website: 2006-01-11
Line count: 16
Word count: 106

Liebe ohne Hoffnung
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English 
Ihr Blick verrät die wärmste Glut,
Doch nicht für mich ihr Funken sprüht;
Nicht mir quillt des Errötens Flut,
Das ihrer Schultern Schnee umglüht.
Nicht mir der Tropfen gilt, der warm
In ihrem sanften Auge bebt;
Noch mir der bange Liebesharm,
Der ihren Busen angstvoll hebt.

Der schönsten Traumwelt Zauberreich
Kann nicht so paradiesisch sein,
Nicht halb der  Wonne dessen gleich,
Der ihr sein ganzes Herz mag weihn.
Doch still von falscher Seligkeit,
Die, ob am Mark sie nagt wie Gift,
Den süßen Trost mir doch verleiht,
Daß nie dich Gram wie meiner trifft.

Text Authorship:

Based on:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

    [ None yet in the database ]


Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani

This text was added to the website: 2006-01-11
Line count: 16
Word count: 94