Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79. | | | | Drachenfels | | The Night-watch on the Drachenfels | | Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) |
| | To Fritz von B——
Translated by E. A. Bowring
’T WAS midnight as we scaled the mountain height, | |
| The woodpile ’neath the walls the flames devoured, | |
| And as my joyous comrades round it cowered, | |
| They sang of Germany’s renown in fight. | |
| Her health we drank from Rhine-wine beakers bright, | 5 |
| The castle-spirit on the summit towered, | |
| Dark forms of arméd knights around us lowered, | |
| And women’s misty shapes appeared in sight. | |
| And from the ruins there arose low moans, | |
| Owls hooted, rattling sounds were heard, and groans; | 10 |
| A furious north-wind blustered fitfully. | |
| Such was the night, my friend, that I did pass | |
| On the high Drachenfels,—but I, alas, | |
| A wretched cold and cough took home with me! | | | | |
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