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THE ERL-KING. 



FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE. 



Who rides so late throusrh niffht and wind ? 



It is with his child, a father kind. 



He has the boy well in his arm. 



He holds him surely. He keeps him warm. 



" My son, why hid'st thou thy face with fear?" 

 " Sees't thou not, father, the Erl-king near — 

 The Erl-king with crown and shroud?'' 

 " My son, it is but a misty cloud.'' 



" Thou dearest child, come, go with me ! 

 Quite lovely sports I'll sport with thee. 

 Many coloured flowers my gardens hold. 

 My mother has many dresses of gold.'' 



" My father, my father, hear not ye 



What the Erl-king softly promises me ?" 



" Be quiet, keep quiet, my child. 



The wind 'mong the leaves is whisp'ring wild." 



" Wilt thou, fair boy.'' Do go with me ; 

 My daugliters shall prettily wait upon thee, 

 Nightly dances with thee they shall keep, 

 And rock, and dance, and sing thee to sleep." 



" My father, my father, canst thou not trace 

 The Erl-king's daughters in yonder dark place?" 

 " My son, my son, I see it display 

 Quite clearly the willow so old and so gray." 



" I love thy form, so graceful and fair, 

 I'll have thee by force, if I cannot by prayer." 

 " My father, my father, me he holds on. 

 The Erl-ki.ig me hath an injury done." 



The father trembles, he hastes with alarm. 



Gasping, the child is laid in his arm. 1 



He reaches the yard with trouble and dread. 



And in his arms the infant was dead. 



