Here, where the rose blooms, where vines entwine the laurel,
Where the turtledove flirts, where the cricket delights -
What grave is this here, that all the gods 
Have so beautifully graced with verdant life? It is Anacreon's resting-place.
Spring, summer, and autumn did that happy poet enjoy;
From winter, at last, has this mound protected him.

First Impressions

Anakreons Grab

The world becomes different with every step
that takes me farther away from my beloved;
my heart -- it will not go any farther with me.
Here the sun shines coldly upon the land,
here everything seems unfamiliar to me,
even the very flowers along the stream! 
Every thing has
So strange a look, so wrong a face.
The streamlet murmurs well and speaks:
"Poor boy, come along beside me -
you see forget-me-nots here as well!"
Yes, they are beautiful everywhere,
but these are not anything like the ones there.
Onward, simply onward!
My eyes spill over.

Heimweh

He who gives himself over to solitude,
ah! he is soon alone;
everyone lives, everyone loves,
and everyone leaves him to his pain.

Yes! Leave me to my torment!
And can I only once
be truly lonely,
then I will not be alone.

A lover creeps up and listens softly -
is his beloved alone?
So, both day and night, does
the pain creep up on my solitude,
and the torment creep up on my loneliness.
Ah! only once, when
I am alone in my grave,
will it then truly leave me alone!

Harfenspieler I

I will creep from door to door;
Quiet and humble will I stand.
A pious hand will give me food,
And I shall go on my way.
Everyone will think himself lucky
When he sees me before him;
A tear will he shed,
But I won't know why he weeps.

Harfenspieler II

He who never ate his bread with tears,
He who never, through miserable nights,
Sat weeping on his bed -
He does not know you, Heavenly Powers.

You lead us into life,
You let the wretched man feel guilt,
And then you leave him to his pain -
For all guilt avenges itself on earth.

Harfenspieler III

Shenandoah

Opera Singer. I hope you leave an Opera lover.

Darrick Speller