| Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888. | | | | Fresco-Sonnets to Christian S——. (II.) | | By Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) |
| | Translated by Stratheir
BEWARE, my friend, of fiends’ grimaces dire, | |
| Yet worse are gentle smiling angel faces; | |
| One such did tempt me once with sweet embraces, | |
| But felt I her sharp claws as I drew nigh her. | |
| And old black cats, my friend, beware their ire, | 5 |
| Yet worse are white young kittens in some cases; | |
| One such I treasured whilom for her graces, | |
| Yet was my heart much lacerated by her. | |
| O pretty minx! O rare sweet little maiden! | |
| How could that limpid eye of thine deceive me? | 10 |
| How could that little paw a heart-wound leave me? | |
| O rare soft kitten-paw with velvet laden! | |
| Would I might press thee to my lips all glowing, | |
| Tho’ from my heart were e’en its life-blood flowing! | | | | |
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