KENNST DU DAS LAND.
Reading edition
FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE.
Know'st thou the land where the lemon-tree flowers; The orange glows gold in the darkness of bowers, Out of blue heaven a softer zephyr blows, And still the myrtle, tall the laurel grows? Know'st it indeed? Thither, ah, me! ah, me! Would I with thee, O my belovéd, flee. Know'st thou the house? Columns support its beams, Its long hall glitters and its gallery gleams; And sculpture glows and asks, in marble mild, "What have they done to thee, thou poor, poor child?" Know'st it indeed? Thither, ah, me! ah, me! Would I with thee, O my protector, flee. Know'st thou the mountain and its cloud-built bridge? In mist the mule treads cautiously its ridge; The dragon's ancient brood still haunts its caves; Down the loud crag the plunging torrent raves. Know'st it indeed? Thither, ah, me! ah, me! Our pathway leads! O father, let us flee!