by William Smyth (1765 - 1849)
Translation by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870)
The cottage maid
Language: English
I envy not the splendour fine That glitters in Sir Watkyn's hall; I ask not for the gems that shine Om lady fair at Wintley ball: I wish but for a ribbon gay, Which I might on a Sunday wear; Unseen which I might kiss, and say, 'Twas Owen's gift from Wrexham fair. O Owen, I believe thee kind, And love is surely on thy tongue ... But would that I could read thy mind, For hope betrays the maiden young. Last night I saw thee loth to part, I watch'd thy looks - so bright the moon - And know not but my simple heart Might own too much, or own too soon. Unhappy fate, oh doubtful maid! Her tears may fall, her bosom swell. But even to the desert shade She never must her secret tell. And is it Love, - his softer mien? And is it Love, - his whisper low? And does he much, or nothing mean? Ah! She that loves, how can she know! With Owen I the dance have led, And then I thought that sure he seem'd To dance with lighter, livelier tread ... Oh! Was it so, - or have I dream'd? Today he goes with merry glee, And all are going to the fair ... O may I by some ribbon see He thought of one that was not there.
Text Authorship:
- by William Smyth (1765 - 1849) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), "The cottage maid", WoO. 155 (26 Walisische Lieder) no. 3 (1809-10) [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) (Georg Pertz) , "Das Hirtenmädchen"
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2006-01-11
Line count: 32
Word count: 221
Das Hirtenmädchen
Language: German (Deutsch) after the English
Ich neide nicht den stolzen Schein, Der Watkyns Hallen füllt mit Glanz; Begehre nicht den Edelstein, Der Wintleys Lady schmückt zum Tanz. Ein Band nur ist's, war mir behagt, Das Sonntag schmückte mein Gewand, Das ungesehn ich küßt' und sagt': "Von Wrexhams Markt, von Owens Hand!" Auf Owens Treue möcht'ich baun, Und Liebe atmet, was er spricht, O könnt' ich klar ins Herz ihm schaun, Denn blind vertrauen darf ich nicht. Du schiedest gestern, Freund, im Schmerz, Ich sah dich an ... der Mond schien grell -, Ich weiß nicht, ob mein arglos Herz Gehofft zuviel, gehofft zu schnell. O Mädchenbrust, die zweifelnd bricht! Ihr Seufzer steig', die Träne flieh'. Doch selbst den Waldesschatten nicht Darf künden ihr Geheimnis sie. Ob wohl sein sanftes Mienenspiel, Sein leises Flüstern Liebe sind? Ach, meint er nichts? Ach, meint er viel? Mich Ärmste macht die Liebe blind! Als ich mit ihm zum Tanze schritt, Mir war's, als schwebte durch den Raum Beseelter, feuriger sein Tritt ... O war es Wahrheit oder Traum? Zum Markte will er heute gehen, Und jauchzend ziehen alle fort ... O möchte'an einem Band ich sehn, Er dacht'an eine, die nicht dort.
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870), "Das Hirtenmädchen" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in English by William Smyth (1765 - 1849)
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: 32
Word count: 190