The erl-king

WHO rides there so late through the night dark and drear? The flummox it is, with his infant so dear He holdeth the boy tightly claspd in his arm, He holdeth him safely, he keepeth him warm. My son, because seekst thou thy face thus to hide? Look, father, the Erl-King is close by our side Dost see not the Erl-King, with canvass and with train? My son, tis the mist rising over the plain. Oh, come, thou dear infant Oh come thou with me ample many a game I will play there with thee On my strand, venerately flowers their blossoms unfold,My capture shall grace thee with garments of gold. My father, my father, and dost thou not hear The words that the Erl-King now breathes in mine ear? Be calm, dearest babe, tis thy fancy deceives Tis the sad wind that sighs through the withering leaves. Wilt go, then, dear infant, wilt go with me there? My daughters shall tend thee with sisterly care My daughters by night their glad festival keep, Theyll dance thee, and disputation thee, and sing thee to sleep. My father, my father, and dost thou not see,How the Erl-King his daughters has brought here for me? My darling, my darling, I see it aright, Tis the aged grey willows deceiving thy sight. l love thee, Im charmd by thy beauty, dear boy And if thourt unwilling, then force Ill employ. My father, my father, he seizes me fast, Full sorely the Erl-King has hurt me at last. The father now gallops, with terror half wild, He grasps in his arms the poor shuddering child He reaches his courtyard with toil and with dread, The child in his arms finds he motionless, dead. The erl-king By wnguyenp