English translations of Zwei Lieder für eine tiefe Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 4

The brook in the meadow rushed more loudly,
I walked along, tracking the rushing,
   I came to a mill.
At the gateway, close by the wall,
A bench and table stood in the shade.
   Ah, how cool it was there,
        Yes, cool! 

God greet you, Madame Miller!
Know that I am thirsty
   As a result of day’s humidity.
And she went and came and carried
Red wine in an earthenware jug.
   Ah, how cool it was,
        Yes, cool! 

Smiling, she watched the man who drank. --
Gentle lady, ah if you knew
   My feelings of gratitude!
When I tipped my hat,
Pressed nothing into her hand,
   Ah, how cool she became,
        Yes, cool! 

That is the right spot:
The linden tree at the marge of the street
And yonder the old chapel;
Here is the rendezvous.
The stars are in the sky,
The bell in the village strikes eight.
There is nothing to be seen of Elsbeth --
I thought that's how it would be.

I wager she cannot tear herself away
From the mirror at home on the wall
And is fussing with buckle and necklace
And twitching her kerchief and ribbons.
In the end she will let me wait
The whole long night.
Indeed, she is making a fool of me. --
I thought that's how it would be.

Perhaps -- oh you false serpent!
Now it is suddenly clear to me
Why Frieder, the tall one,
Was so merry this morning.
Shock paralyses my limbs,
I am betrayed, ridiculed,
Elsbeth has a liaison with Frieder. --
I thought that's how it would be.

I lift my hands to make a vow
To the starry sky -- but wait,
What is coming over the meadowed terrain
From the village floatingly?
I see two adorable feet,
They approach tentatively and gently.
She is coming, the faithful one, the sweet one. --
I thought that's how it would be.