There where the Aare's waters gently glide From out the lake and flow towards the town, Where pleasant shelter spreading trees provide, Amidst the waving grass I laid me down; And sleeping softly on that summer day, I saw a wondrous vision as I lay. Three knights rode up on proudly stepping steeds, Tiny as elves, but with the mien of kings, And spake to me: 'We come to search the meads, To seek a treasure here, of precious things Amongst the fairest; wilt thou help us trace A new-born child, a child of heav'nly race?' 'And who are ye?' I, dreaming, made reply; 'Knights of the golden meadows' then they said, 'That at the foot of yonder Niesen[71] lie; And in our ancient castles many a maid Hath listened to the greeting of our strings, Long mute and passed amid forgotten things. 'But lately tones were heard upon the lake, A sound of strings whose like we never knew, So David played, perhaps, for Saul's dread sake, Soothing the monarch curtained from his view; It reached us as it softly swelled and sank, And drew us, filled with longing, to this bank. 'Then help us search, for surely from this place, This meadow by the river, came the sound; Help us then here the miracle to trace, That we may offer homage when 'tis found. Sleeps under flow'rs the new-born creature rare? Or is it floating in the evening air?' But ere they ceased, a sudden rapid twirl Ruffled the waters, and, before our eyes, A fairy boat from out the wavelet's whirl Floated up stream, guided by dragon-flies; Within it sat a sweet-limbed, fair-haired may, Singing as to herself in ecstasy. 'To ride on waters clear and cool is sweet, For clear as deep my being's living source; To open worlds where joy and sorrow meet, Each flowing pure and full in mingling course; Go on, my boat, upstream with happy cheer, Heaven is reposing on the tranquil mere.' So sang the fairy child and they that heard Owned, by their swelling hearts, the music's might, The knights had only tears, nor spake a word, Welling from pain that thrilled them with delight; But when the skiff had vanished from their eyes, The eldest, pointing, said in tender wise: 'Thou beauteous wonder of the boat, farewell, Sweet melody, revealed to us to-day; We that with slumb'ring minnesingers dwell, Bid thee Godspeed, thou guileless stranger fay; Our land is newly consecrate in thee That rang of old with fame of minstrelsy.