13. BANNER, usually neuter.
16. The forest is the scene of many of the old legends.
21. Always remain steadfast and true. Compare: Wir bleiben die
Alten, i.e., our feeling toward each other will not change, we shall
remain true friends.
35. Besides its love of nature and its religious note, both apparent in the previous poems, notice especially the touch of symbolism; the poet stands in Waldesschatten wie an des Lebens Rand.
5, 6. SCHLAGEN HEREIN, the tones of the bells come pealing into the shadow of the forest.
10. VON. down from, on.
36. This poem describes, as the title indicates, the dawn of spring: how spring in a moonlight night imparts a mysterious stirring of new life to all nature. With its variously interwoven rhymes, both end and internal, its use of assonance and alliteration, to mention only the more obvious effects, the poem is a musical symphony.
8. WOLKENFRAU'N, clouds personified.
11. FRÜHLINGSGESELLEN, i.e. Waldquellen as helpers of spring.
37. Might well be compared to the elfin dances of Moritz von Schwind, the romantic painter.