All within that silent chamber On me looks with trusting eye; Table, cupboard,--I could fancy I had seen them formerly. Like a friend the house-clock prattles, The guitar scarce audibly Of itself begins to tinkle, And as in a dream sit I. Now’s the proper place discover’d, Now the proper hour hath sounded; If the proper word I utter’d, Maiden, thou wouldst be astounded. If that word I straightway utter’d, Midnight would grow dim and quake, Fir and streamlet roar more loudly, And the aged mountain wake. Lute’s soft strains and pigmy music From the mountain’s clefts would burst, And a flowering wood shoot from them As in joyous spring-time erst. Flowers, all-hardy magic flowers, Leaves of size so fabulous, Fragrant, varied, hasty-quiv’ring, As though passion stirr’d them thus. Roses, wild as flames all-glowing, Dart from out the mass like gems; Lilies, like to crystal arrows, Upward shoot tow’rd heaven their stems. And the stars, like suns in greatness Downward gaze with yearning glow; In the lily’s giant-calix They their gushing radiance throw. Yet ourselves, my darling maiden, Alter’d more than all we seem; Gold and silk and torches’ lustre Joyously around us gleam. Thou, yea thou, becom’st a princess, To a castle turns this cot; Knights and squires and ladies gaily Dance with rapture, tiring not. Thee and all, both men and castle, I, yea I, have gain’d to-day; Drums and trumpets loud proclaim me, Heralding my sov’reign sway! 4. Shepherd boy’s a king,--on green hills As a throne he sitteth down O’er his head the sun all-radiant Is his ever golden crown. At his feet the sheep are lying, Gentle fawners, streak’d with red; Calves as cavaliers attend him, Proudly o’er the pastures spread. Kids are all his court-performers, With the birds and cows as well, And he has his chamber-music To the sound of flute and bell. And it sounds and sings so sweetly, And the time so sweetly keep Waterfall and nodding fir-trees, And the king then goes to sleep. In the meantime acts as ruler His prime minister, the hound, While his loud and surly barking Echoes all the country round. Sleepily the young king murmurs: “’Tis a heavy task to reign; “Ah! right gladly would I find me “With my queen at home again! “In my queen’s arms soft and tender “Calmly rests my kingly head, “And my vast and boundless kingdom “In her dear eyes lies outspread.” 5. Brighter in the East ’tis growing Through the sun’s soft glimm’ring motion; Far and wide the mountain-summits Float within the misty ocean.