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Seit ich ihn gesehen
Since I set eyes on him

Frauenliebe und -leben Love in a Woman's Life

Chamisso

Since I set eyes on him
I think that I’ve gone blind;
Wherever it is I look
It’s only him I find;
As in a waking dream
His image, there before me,
Stands out against the darkness,
Bright, and oh, so clearly.

There is no light or colour
Now in my surroundings,
I have no wish to join
My sisters with their playthings;
I would far rather go and weep
Quietly in my room –
I think that I’ve gone blind
Since I set eyes on him.

Er, der Herrlichste von allen
He must be the best of all

Frauenliebe und -leben Love in a Woman's Life

Chamisso

He must be the best of all,
So gentle and so kind –
A noble mouth, an eye that’s clear.
Determined, with a brilliant mind.

He moves, as in the heavens
Does yon star so bright,
Across my field of vision,
Remote, a wonderful, majestic sight!

Continue on your destined course –
To gaze upon your light’s enough,
To watch from where I stand’s enough
To experience utter bliss and sadness, too.

For you shall not hear the silent prayer
I devote to your happiness,
An ordinary girl, nothing to you,
You star of all that’s marvellous!

Only she who’s truly worthy
Shall be favoured by your choice.
I will bless the noble creature,
I will bless her and rejoice.

I’ll rejoice and I will weep,
Happy, happy, happy I will be,
And even if my heart should break,
Then let it break, what’s that to me!

Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben
I can't believe it

Frauenliebe und -leben Love in a Woman's Life

Chamisso

I can’t believe it,
Dreaming’s affected my brain!
With so many to choose from,
Why pick me? I’m so plain!

I think he said:
"I’m yours for ever!”
A dream, I think,
Not real life …. Never!

So while still dreaming, let me die
Here cradled on his breast,
Embracing death with happiness,
By endless tears of joy possessed.

Du Ring an meinem Finger
Ring upon my Finger

Frauenliebe und -leben Love in a Woman's Life

Chamisso

Ring upon my finger.
Little golden band,
I press you to my lips and heart;
You’ve helped me understand.

The dreams of tranquil childhood
Now lay in the past
And I was in a barren landscape,
Immeasurably vast,

Till, ring upon my finger,
That I do so revere,
You showed to me the values
Of life together here.

I want to serve and live for him,
To be his own by right,
Freely give myself to him,
Transfigured by his light.

Helft mir, ihr Schwestern
In Friendship, Sisters, help me

Frauenliebe und -leben Love in a Woman's Life

Chamisso

In friendship, Sisters, help me
Put on my finery.
Be servants to the happy bride
Who this day will take her vow
And place the crown
Of flowering myrtle on my brow.

When lying in my beloved’s arms
Content, with joyous heart,
He, desirous even then, cried out
Impatient for this day to start.

Help me, Sisters, help me
Put aside a foolish fear,
That with unclouded eye
I may receive him,
Source of all that I hold dear.

When, like the sun, my beloved,
You stand before me,
Shall I reflect your radiance?
Then, let me bow my head
In all humility
And, Sir, with due reverence.

Sisters, strew flowers at his feet.
Offer him roses in bud ……….
Whilst I, meanwhile, bless you all sadly,
As, from your dear company,
I take my leave gladly!

Süsser Freund, du blickest
Dear Friend, you look at me

Frauenliebe und -leben Love in a Woman's Life

Chamisso

My dear friend,
You look at me in some surprise,
As if you do not understand
The tears that I have in my eyes;
These salty pearls
That now adorn my face
Like some rare jewels,
Total, utter contentment trace.

I feel anxious in my heart,
Yet my heart is full of bliss;
Oh, if I only had the words
With which I could express all this!
Come hide your face
Here on my breast
And let me whisper in your ear
The joy with which I’m blessed.

Now that you know
The tears I shed,
Should you not see them,
Dearest man to whom I’m wed?
Stay here at my heart
And feel its beat
So that I can hug you.
Now my joy’s complete!

Here at my bedside
For a crib there’s space;
It conceals the sweetest dream
That I could ever face:
The day will come,
That dream will be,
And there your image
Will laugh up at me!

An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust
In my Heart, at my Breast

Frauenliebe und -leben Love in a Woman's Life

Chamisso

In my heart, at my breast,
You, my joy and all that’s best;
To be happy is to love
And love is happiness –
I said that and believe it. Yes.

I thought myself the happiest on earth,
But I am happier now;
For she alone who feeds
The child to whom she’s given birth,
Only she knows what the words
Love and happiness are worth.
So, I am sorry for all men who
Cannot feel as mothers do.

My dearest angel, smiling as you rest,
In my heart and at my breast,
You my joy and all that’s best.

Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan
Now, you've hurt me for the first time

Frauenliebe und -leben Love in a Woman's Life

Chamisso

Now, you’ve hurt me
for the first time in my life
And made me catch my breath!
You sleep, with no consideration
for your wife;
It is the sleep of death.

She, whom you have abandoned
Looks on a world that is bare.
I have loved and I have lived;
That world’s no longer there.

So I withdraw into myself,
Quietly draw down the veil;
There I will find the joy I’ve lost,
You, my whole world, without fail.