Gazing toward the barred window
By the bright light of the moon,
A minstrel stands with his zither
Before the Castle Dürrenstein;
Tunes his playing to a soft lay
And begins his song to the accompaniment,
For a premonition tells him softly:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"
 
  King Richard, hero of the East,
Have you truly already sunk down [into your grave]?
Must your sword grow rusty in the sea,
Or are you covered by a distant grave?
Searching for you on all pathways,
Your minstrel travels without rest,
For a quiet stirring tells him:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"
 
  Do you still walk, living, here below?
Is perhaps an enemy stalking you
In order to cast you in chains,
You, who broke so many chains?
Or do you lie already bound,
Proud lion, in despicable immobility? --
Hope calls out at every hour:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"
 
  Hope, Richard, and trust!
Faithfulness guides and leads me;
And in the far-off home county
Love prays quietly for you.
Blondel is following your trails,
Margot beckons to you longingly,
A premonition tells your minstrel:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"
 
  Hark! Something sounds softly, softly
Up from the dungeon,
A well-known air
Reaches Blondel's listening ear.
Like the call of the friend, a well-loved [friend],
His own song echoes back to him,
And his premonition tells him more loudly:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"
 
  What he sang, he sings again,
Again it echoes back to him,
A sweet echo rings down --
It is no deception! sure good fortune!
He whom he seeks upon his travel,
Ah, his king calls back to him;
His premonition was not in vain:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"
 
  He flies homeward with the tidings,
There was great sorrow and joy,
Flies back back with a noble host
And ransoms the precious king.
As a joyful circle gazes wonderingly at him,
The hero rushes toward the singer;
The song has proved itself well:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"