The Water-Sprite

The May-moon shone with a mild warm glance,
As the maidens of Tubingen met to dance.

They danced and danced each other between,
'Neath a linden tree in the valley green.

A stranger youth, most richly arrayed,
Approached and bowed to the fairest maid.

He reached her his hand with a noble air,
And placed a sea-green wreath on her hair.

" O young man! why is thine arm so cold? "
— " No heat do the waters of Neckar hold! "

" O young man! why is thine hand so pale?
— " In the water the burning sunbeams fail! "

He danced with her far from the linden tree,
— " O young man! my mother is calling me! "

He danced with her still by the Neckar clear,
— " O young man! leave me — I faint with fear! "

He danced with her in where the waters shine,
— " O father! and thou, O mother, mine! "

He bears her to halls of crystal sheen,
— " Farewell! my mates in the valley green! "
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Author of original: 
Justinus Kerner
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