POOR PETER[24] (1822)
1
Grete and Hans come dancing by,
They shout for very glee;
Poor Peter stands all silently,
And white as chalk is he.
Grete and Hans were wed this morn,
And shine in bright array;
But ah, poor Peter stands forlorn,
Dressed for a working-day.
He mutters, as with wistful eyes
He gazes at them still:
"'Twere easy—were I not too wise—
To do myself some ill…."
2
"An aching sorrow fills my breast,
My heart is like to break;
It leaves me neither peace nor rest,
And all for Grete's sake.
"It drives me to her side, as though
She still could comfort me;
But in her eyes there's something now
That makes me turn and flee.
"I climb the highest hilltop where
I am at least alone;
And standing in the stillness there
I weep and make my moan."
3