by William Shenstone (1714 - 1763)
Translation by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803)
The Princess Elizabeth
Language: English
Will you hear how once repining Great Eliza captive lay? Each ambitious thought resigning, Foe to riches, pomp, and sway. While the nymphs and swains delighted Tript around in all their pride, Envying joys by others slighted, Thus the royal maiden cried: "Bred on plains, or born in valleys, Who would bid those scenes adieu? Stranger to the arts of malice, Who would ever courts pursue? "Malice never taught to treasure, Censure never taught to bear; Love is all the shepherd's pleasure; Love is all the damsel's care. "How can they of humble station Vainly blame the powers above? Or accuse the dispensation Which allows them all to love? "Love, like air, is widely given; Power nor chance can these restrain; Truest, noblest gifts of Heaven! Only purest on the plain! "Peers can no such charms discover, All in stars and garters drest, As on Sundays does the lover With his nosegay on his breast. "Pinks and roses in profusion, Said to fade when Chloe's near; Fops may use the same allusion, But the shepherd is sincere. "Hark to yonder milkmaid singing Cheerily o'er the brimming pail, Cowslips all around are springing, Sweetly paint the golden vale. "Never yet did courtly maiden Move so sprightly, look so fair: Never breast with jewels laden Pour a song so void of care. "Would indulgent Heaven had granted Me some rural damsel's part! All the empire I had wanted Then had been my shepherd's heart. "Then, with him, o'er hills and mountains, Free from fetters, might I rove, Fearless taste the crystal fountains, Peaceful sleep beneath the grove. "Rustics had been more forgiving, Partial to my virgin bloom; None had envied me when living; None had triumph'd o'er my tomb."
Authorship:
- by William Shenstone (1714 - 1763), "The Princess Elizabeth", subtitle: "A ballad, alluding to a story recorded of her when she was prisoner at Woodstock, 1554" [author's text checked 1 time 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):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803) , "Elisabeths Trauer im Gefängniß" ; composed by Johann Karl Gottfried Loewe, Friedrich Wilhelm Rust.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-03
Line count: 52
Word count: 287
Wollt ihr hören wie Elise
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English
Wollt ihr hören wie Elise Klagend im Gefängniß sang, Als der Schwester stolze Grösse Sie zu bittern Thränen zwang. Spielend scherzten muntre Mädchen Rings um ihres Kerkers Wacht; Ach wie konnt sie jetzt beneiden, Was der Grosse sonst verlacht. »In der Ruhe Thal gebohren, Wer verliesse je das Thal? Drängte sich nach Kron' und Purpur, In des Hofes goldnen Saal? Fern von Bosheit, wie von Schätzen, Stiller Lieb und Freundschaft hold -- Ach, was kann wie Lieb' ergötzen, Sie, die mehr ergötzt als Gold. Arme Schäfer, ihr beneidet Oft, so oft der Grossen Glück, Weil sie Gold, statt Wolle, kleidet, Gold, des Herzens böser Strick; Liebe, wie die goldne Sonne, Wärmt und stralet euch so gern, Mahlt euch an der Brust ein Blümchen Ueber Ordensband und Stern. Sieh, wie dort das Mädchen singend Ihre Heerde treibt zur Ruh: Schlüsselblümchen neuentspringend Grüssen sie und horchen zu. Welche Königin der Erde Blickte je und sang so froh? Ach beladen mit Juwelen Schlägt und singt kein Herze so. Wär' ich auch mit euch gebohren, Auch ein Mädchen in dem Thal, Ohne Fesseln, ohne Kerker Hüpft' ich in der Freiheit Saal. Klimmte über Fels und Hügel, Sänge Liebe, Lust und Scherz: Meine Kron' ein Wiesenblümchen, Und mein Reich des Schäfers Herz.«
C. Loewe sets stanzas 2-5
About the headline (FAQ)
Von Shenstone, einem der sanftesten und natürlichsten Dichter der Engländer in ihren lezten so künstlichen Zeiten. Aus Dodsley's Collect. Tom. IV. p. 333.Authorship:
- by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803), "Elisabeths Trauer im Gefängniß" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in English by William Shenstone (1714 - 1763), "The Princess Elizabeth", subtitle: "A ballad, alluding to a story recorded of her when she was prisoner at Woodstock, 1554"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Carl Loewe (1796 - 1869), "Lied der Königin Elisabeth", op. 119, stanzas 2-5 [ voice and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Friedrich Wilhelm Rust (1739 - 1796), "Elisabeths Trauer im Gefängnis", published 1784 [ voice and piano ], from Oden und Lieder aus den besten deutschen Dichtern, Erste Sammlung, no. 14 [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-12-02
Line count: 40
Word count: 206