One Wish Alone Have I

One wish alone have I: 
In some calm land 
Beside the sea to die; 
Upon its strand 
That I forever sleep, 
The forest near, 
A heaven clear 
Stretched o'er the peaceful deep. 
No candles shine, 
Nor tomb I need, instead 
Let them for me a bed 
Of twigs entwine. 

That no one weeps my end, 
Nor for me grieves, 
But let the autumn lend 
Tongues to the leaves, 
When brooklet ripples fall 
With murmuring sound, 
And moon is found 
Among the pine-trees tall, 
While softly rings 
The wind its trembling chime 
And over me the lime 
Its blossom flings. 

As I will then no more 
A wanderer be, 
Let them with fondness store 
My memory. 
And Lucifer the while, 
Above the pine, 
Good comrade mine, 
Will on me gently smile; 
In mournful mood, 
The sea sing sad refrain. . . 
And I be earth again 
In solitude. 
------------
English version by Corneliu M. Popescu
Transcribed by Oana Dumitrache
School No. 10, Focsani, Romania

Form: Lyric Comments

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