English translations of Vier Lieder, opus 96

How the stars 
glitter so brightly 
through the night!
I've often been awakened 
by them 
from slumber.

But I do not scold 
the shining ones 
for that,
For secretly 
they perform 
many a benevolent task.

They wander 
high above 
in the form of angels,
They light 
the pilgrim's way 
through meadow and forest.

They hover 
like heralds 
of love,
And often bear 
kisses 
far away across the sea.

They gaze 
tenderly 
into the face of the sufferer,
And wipe 
his tears 
with silver light;

And direct us 
away from the grave, 
comfortingly and gently,
Beyond 
the blue sky 
with golden fingers.

Now shall you 
be blessed, 
thou radiant throng!
And long shine 
upon me 
with your clear, pleasing light!

And should I 
one day fall in love, 
smile upon the bond,
And let 
your twinkling 
bless us in return.

I shoot the deer in the green forest,
The roe in the quiet valley,
The eagle on its nest on the cliff-face,
The duck on the lake.
There is no place that can offer protection
When my shotgun takes aim;
And yet, hard man that I am, I have
Also felt love!

I have often been busy at difficult times,
During storms and on winter nights,
And covered in ice and snow
I have made my bed on stone.
I have slept on thorns as if on down,
Undisturbed by the north wind,
Yet tender dreams of love
Have made an impression on my rough breast.

The wild hawk was my companion,
The wolf my equal in battle;
I began the day with the barking of dogs,
Night began with tally-ho.
A sprig of fir was the flowery decoration
On my sweat-stained hat,
And yet love was throbbing within me
In my wild huntsman's blood.

You shepherd on the soft moss
Playing with flowers,
Who knows if it is as hot, as significant
For you when you feel love?
Every night over the black woods,
Illuminated by moonlight,
That sublimely regal figure of light hovers 
In a way that no master could paint.

Then when it looks down on me,
When its gaze glows through me,
I know what it is like for the game
Flying away from the barrel of a gun.
And yet! it comes along with all the happiness
That is now on earth;
As if my very best friend
Were enfolding me in his arms.

Over all the peaks
it is peaceful,
in all the treetops
you feel
hardly a breath of wind;
the little birds are silent in the forest...
only wait - soon
you will rest as well.

No cares assail the fisherman -
neither grief nor sorrow;
Early in the morning he unties
His boat with a light heart.

It is peaceful all about him
[In woods and meadows and brooks]1;
He rouses with his song
The golden sun. 

To his labours he sings
with a full and sanguine heart;
The work gives him strength --
And strength gives life joy.

Soon a colorful throng is
swarming loudly in the depths,
And it splashes through the sky
That lies reflected in the water -

[ ... ]

But he who wishes to cast a net
Needs eyes both clear and good;
He must be swift, like the waves,
And unfettered, like the stream.

There on the bridge the shepherdess
Is fishing. Artful creature,
Enough of your tricks --
You will not deceive this fish.