St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-12-31
The Lorelei.

have been interested in committing to
memory Heinrich Heine's ''Lorelei,' y
and thinking that they may be glad to
see a rhythmic translation L enclose one
that was handed me several years ago.
The poem in the original was recited
in my hearing one evening, as l sat,
with other friends in the twilight around
a glowing coal fire, and the rich, mu-
sical sound, and expressive meter en-
hanced the pathos of the speakers
voice. The next morning the transla-
tiOn was given to me. A short time af-
ter, drove to private picture gallery
in the vicinity of Boston, and among
many beautiful paintings l saw one that
exactly expressed my idea of the Lore
lei as portrayed in Heine's poem.
On rugged, rocky cliff, with the
tossing, foaning river dashing against
the base and stretch of blue water
beyond, sat the Lorelei. And oh, she
was indeed "a maiden wondrous fair "
Fleecy, airy drapery fioated around
her; her gaze was fixed far out upon
the deep, where a sail might dimly be
discerned. Her long beautiful, golden
hair hung richly and gracefully about
her, and through its thick meshes,
within her delicate fingers, cleaned her
golden comb.
Soft, low music was being played, as
1 entered the gallery, and while |
stood, watching the enchantress, the
sounds seemed to proceed from her lips.
The impression received, and the pc
euliar fascination that the picture and
the poem have for me, can never be
effaced.
have seen other illustrations of the
Siren, in one of which she is repre-
sented as playing on her lutte, watching,
meanwhile, boat drawing nearer and
nearer.
InMrs. Clements " Handbook ofMyth-
illogical and Legendary Art" she speaks
of the rocky cliffs on the Rhine, around
which cluster traditions of the Lorelei.
They are over four hundred feet in
height, and just above st. GOar, and
are termed Lurlei. Legendary lore
ascribes the form of beautiful maiden
to being who lived on these rocky
sleeps, who was ever singing such mel
odious songs that all who saw her, fell
passionately in love with her, and in
seeking her were swallowed up in the
whirlpool near the base of the rocks.
Another tradition asserts that a most
bewitching maiden was betrOthed TO Il
brave knight who had gone to Palestine
to achieve renown for her sake. In his
absence she had so many suitOrs and
was so great an object of admiration
that she was accused of practising en-
chantment. In order to flee from her
accusers she was sent with three knights
to place of safety. On her way thith-
er she ascended the LUrlei TO obtain a
glimpse of the Rhine, and beheld boat
on the river with her lover in it. He
quickly discovered her, and forgetful of
the whirlpool, made all haste to reach
the shore.
To the horror of all, his boat and
crew were swallowed up, but as his
richly dressed form, and fair waving
hair appeared for the last time on the
surface of the foaming waters, the low
ing maiden leaped into the depths, and
when found the two lovers were clasped
in a fond embrace.
THE LoRELEI
TRANSLATED from the German Of Heine.)
81 know not what it presages
This heart with sadness fraught,
'Tis a tale of the olden ages,
That will not from my thought.
The air grows cool and darkles,
The Rhine flows calmly on,
The mountain summit spardcs
In the light of the setting
There sits in soft reclining,
maiden wondrous fair,
With golden raiment shining,
And cOmbing her golden hair.
With a comb of gold she combs it,
And cOmbng low singeth she
A song of strange, sweet sadness,
A wonderful melody.
The sailor shudders DER him
The strain comes floating by,
He sees not the cliffs before him,
He only looks on high.
All! round him the dark waves finging
Their arms draw him slowly down,
And this, with her wild, sweet singing,
The Lorelei has DONE"
Geo. VIM Curtis.