Poems (Waldenburg)/Hans Heiling's Felsen
HANS HEILING'S FELSEN.
Among the many beautiful surroundings of Carlsbad, Bohemia, none are more frequently visited than "Hans Heiling's Felsen," a group of rocks bearing the resemblance of two human forms, and standing solitary and grand on the bank of the foaming silver Eger that divides the lovely valley in which the city lies. This is the legend given by the guides of Carlsbad.
Sultry the noon-day heat; On the moss of the river's bank,Lulled by its murmur sweet In sleep the shepherd sank,
The youth had golden hair And cheeks like milk and blood,The nymph she found him fair, Gazing from out the flood.
"Awake, thou lovely youth, My love cannot be told,I'll give thee wealth in truth, Jewels and crowns of gold.
The boon I crave is love That thou wilt faithful be,For should'st thou falsely rove, Woe both for thee and me."
Thus sang the nymph so fair In sweetly mournful tone,Her shimmering, golden hair O'er the white bosom shone.
Like opals glowed her eyes Gazing on him she loved;Till he awakes in sweet surprise, By fondest passion moved.
"Bright One! An oath of love I swear to thee alone,True as the Heavens above, Else may I change to stone!"
Then there, before his view, Slowly and proud and still,A stately castle grew And all was at his will.
And happy dwelt he long Till a thought of Gretchen came,Then the water nymph's love song— Seemed but a song of shame;
She was a mystic creature Afar; unknown to him,He craved an humble nature, With more of earth therein.
At last the peasant maiden He seeks with heart and hand,And now, with gladness laden, Speedeth the marriage band.
Bids many a bridal guest, In the castle's hall they throng;And naught disturbs his breast, For all is light and song!
The water nymph has gone, Vanished beneath the wave;He deems all is his own Nor heeds the oath he gave.
The priest at the altar stood, Awaiting the bridal pair,When the sound of a rushing flood Shook through the startled air!
With the roll of thunder surged The river in mountain heightWhile with angry brow emerged From the waves the river sprite!
"Thou art false unto thy vow, Mine wast thou, mine alone!So stand—thy bride and thou, Forever changed to stone!"
On Eger's shore to-day Still stand those forms of stone,A warning, so the old guides say, To those who, in a cruel way,With holy love and honor play, And hold them lightly won!