Who shall be mine?
    Have my eyes seen him yet?
Where might he be wandering on earth?
    Is he far or is he near?

Will he have a handsome face
    Or at least not be ugly?
Curly hair? Light eyes?
    Tall of stature or short?

Strong-limbed or slender?
    Shall he [swing]1 himself lightly when dancing?
Shall his thoughts be [sober, stern, deliberate]2,
    Or quite romantic?

A high official or a judge
    Full of seriousness and gravity?
Is he an artist, or a poet?
    Does he understand music as well?

A learned man, replete with knowledge,
    Who studies and writes books,
But who has little time left over
    For jests and kisses?

Is he perhaps of the commerce class?
    Is he a warrior, bold and brave?
Is he a country parson,
    Or even a handsome count?

And is the love that he bears
    In his heart truly fervent then,
Since mine already so lovingly
    Beats toward his coming?

Tell me, lovely blossom scents
    That waft into my chamber,
Tell me, [quiet]3 evening breezes,
    Tell me, gentle moonlight!

Tell me, fairies, small, wanton,
    You who eavesdrop and laugh and nod,
Tell me, sweet red rose
    That peeps into my window!

Tell me, you wise stars
    That rise upon the heavens!
Sprouts swell into the distance,
    And they know not whither?

Loving arms stand outstretched,
    Ah, whom shall they receive?
Lips that hope for kisses,
    Ah, who shall come near for a kiss?

Or should I rather say
    That it is lovely to be so blind?
[That] this lamenting, this questioning
    Be a sweet suffering for us maidens?

[That] dreams can play more blissfully,
    Like children in an empty house,
When lovely wishes travel forth
    To unknown destinations?

Joyful anxiety!  Anxious joy!
    Unknown one, come find me!
Sorrow in happiness and happiness in sorrow!
    You who are to come, I love you!