THE ORPHAN’S WEDDING
“Come out, dear young Melanonka,
Look about and on each hand,
Lest perchance your father stand
On some doorstep, Melanonka!”
“O I know, I know
That I have no father!...
I will send a crow
To some far-off land
To bring me news
Of my distant kin;
And into the ground,
Yea, deep within,
I will send Zuzula
For my dear father.”
The crow brings news from his long flight:
“Your kinsfolk come with much delight.”
Zuzula flies and tidings brings:
“Your father may not come,” it sings.
“The cold earth, like a heavy door
Has closed. It may not open more.
Of windows, like the shining sun,
Alas, alas, it has not one
Through which your father’s eyes might see
How fair his orphan child should be!”
“My father dear, my falcon,[[56]] stands
Before the Lord, and earnestly
He prays, ‘O God, from heaven to earth
Now may I go, my child to see?’”
“O humble soul—they have no need
For such as thee. Her maidens there,
Faithful attendants, wait her will,
Arrange the wreath on her bright hair,
Heaping her dowry very high,
They’ll seat thy daughter as a queen,
They’ll robe her as a lady fair.”
MOONLIGHT[[57]]
“Light o’ the moon, shine out, shine out,
Round as the wheel of a mill.
Come out, Sweetheart, its glory see,
Listen, the night is still.
Then speak for a while to me!”
“Ah, but I long to come, my love!
See how I bend and yearn.
But candles are still in those windows set;
At a whisper heads will turn....
Alas, they will part us yet!
“Mother, is’t thou?... Nay, strike me not,
Make me not lame for aye.
Peace.... Thou may’st bandage mine eyes to-night,
And lead me the river nigh—
But give me one moment’s sight!
“For then I would have one fleeting glance,
Beautiful world, farewell!
Earth, full of all that is loveliest,
Who shall my sad fate tell,
Flung on the river’s breast?
“World, thou wert fair as all God’s things be;
But hardly my days went by—
Harder it is for me to go—
Sad, O sad to die,
Nor lived my joy to know!”