The Swiftness of Time in God.
from the knaben wunderhorn. (b.i. p. 73, et seq.)
The general at Grosswardein
Had once a little daughter fine:—
Her name was called Theresia,—
God-loving, modest, chaste and fair:
And from her childhood up was she
Most deeply given to piety,
With prayers and music's solemn tone
She ever praised the Three-in-One.
Whene'er she heard of Jesus' name,
Her love and joy flamed brighter flame;
Jesus to serve she makes her cross,
Devotes herself to be his Spouse.
A noble lord came her to woo,
Her father gave consent thereto;
The mother to her daughter said,—
"Dear child, this man thou'lt surely wed."
The daughter said, "Mother of me
That can and must not ever be.
My heart is fixed on higher worth,
A Bridegroom he not of this earth."
The mother then, "My daughter dear,
Ah, do not contradict us here,
Thy sire and I we both are old,
And God has blessed our toil with gold."
Thereat the maid began to weep,
"I have a lover beloved so deep,
To him I've made my promise down;
I'll wear for him a virgin crown."
Thereat the sire, "This must not be,
My child away this phantasy,
Where wilt thou dwell when past thy prime?
We both are old, far gone in time!"