"For the beauty of the mother
Is the children's—sister, brother,
As she fades away, will bloom.
Mother's eyes grow dim by weeping,
Wan her cheek, lone vigils keeping:
Youthful virgin, 'ware your doom!
"Wifely name is sweet from lover,
Yet ere many years are over,
From the fatal day you wed,
Sore you'll rue the holy altar,
And the salt sea will grow salter
For the bitter tears you'll shed.
"See the pallid cheek reflected,
Hollow, sunken eyes dejected,
Look of weary, wasting pain;
All changed for thy beauty rarest:
Maiden, tell me, if thou darest
Then come here, and look again.
"But should lovers' pleading gain thee,
Haste thee quick and I will sain thee
Ere the marriage vows are said;
By the might of magic power,
I can save thee from the hour
Of a mother's anguish dread."
Answered Thekla: "Save me! save me!
Witch or woman, then I crave thee,
From a mother's fated doom!
So my beauty never fading
Thou canst make with magic aiding,
Fatal Mother, I shall come."
'Neath the casement stood a Ritter,
Sings by night with sweetest tone.
"Thekla, dearest Thekla, listen,
Wilt thou be my bride, mine own?