Whilst I stood rooted to the ground, The dancers nimbly whirl’d around; The bridegroom spoke a whisper’d word,-- She blush’d, well pleased with what she heard. 6. In blissful dream, in silent night, There came to me, with magic might, With magic might, my own sweet love, Into my little room above. I gazed upon the darling child, I gazed, and she all-gently smiled, And smiled until my heart swell’d high, When stormlike daring words breath’d I: “Take, take thou everything that’s mine, “My All will I to thee resign, “If I may be thy paramour “From midnight till the morning hour.” Then on me gazed the beauteous maid, With looks that inward strife betray’d, So sweet, so sad, while thus she said: “Give me thy hope of heaven instead!” “My life so sweet, my youthful blood, “I’ll give with cheerful joyous mood, “For thee, O maiden angel-fair,-- “But hope of heaven hereafter--ne’er!” My daring speech flow’d readily, Yet ever fairer blossom’d she, And still the beauteous maiden said “Give me thy hope of heaven instead!” These words fell on me heavily, Then rush’d, like some fierce flowing sea, Down to my spirit’s depth most deep,-- I scarce had power my breath to keep. There came a band of angels white Graced with a golden halo bright, But wildly follow’d in their track A grisly train of goblins black. They wrestled with the angels white, And drove away those angels bright, And then the gloomy squadron too Melted like morning mist from view.-- Fain had I died of rapture there, My arms upheld my maiden fair; She nestled near me like a roe, But also wept with bitter woe. Sweet maiden wept; well knew I why, Her rosy mouth to peace kiss’d I: “O still, sweet love, that tearful flood, “Surrender to my loving mood! “Surrender to my loving mood!”-- When sudden froze to ice my blood; The earth beneath me groan’d and sigh’d, A yawning chasm open’d wide. And from the chasm’s gloomy veil Rose the black troop,--sweet love turn’d pale; My arms were of sweet love bereft, And I in solitude was left. The gloomy troop around me danced In wondrous circle, then advanced, And seized and bore me to the ground, While scornful laughter rose around. And still the circle narrower grew, And ever humm’d the fearful crew: “Thy hope of heaven was pledg’d by thee, “Thou’rt ours for all eternity!” 7. Thou now hast the money,--why longer delay? Thou dark scowling fellow, why lingering stay? I sit in my chamber, and patiently wait, And midnight is near, but the bride is still late. From the churchyard the shuddering breezes arise;-- Ye breezes, O say, has my bride met your eyes? Pale demons come round me, and hard on me press, Make curtsies with grinning, and nod their “O yes!”