Ferdinand von Saar (1833–1906)

SPRINGTIME: in the evening shade

I was strolling through the vale—

All at once before me strayed

Gentle sounds across the dale.

I drew nearer; all serene

Two were sitting hand in hand—

Maidens as by day are seen

Working in the furrowed land.

And the faces both were brown

From the kissing sunbeams’ glow;

Underneath each ragged gown

Bare a sunburnt foot would show.

But they sang, their heads held high,

Songs that from their bosoms sprang

To the stars that lit the sky,

Sang, and knew not how they sang.

And they sang the old, old lays

All of love, its joy and pain,

Heedless, seeking no one’s praise,

Through the wide and lonely plain.