"Youth, say why is thine hand so white?

The water knows not the daybeams light;

Youth, oh why is so cold thine arm,

Can it in Neckar's flood be warm?"

He led her away from the lime-tree's shade;

"Return my daughter," her mother said.

He led her on to the stream so clear,

"Oh youth let me go, for I tremble with fear."

He danc'd till they reach'd the Neckar's bank,

One shriek, one plunge, in the wave they sank.