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Heimliche Aufforderung (1894) Op. 27 no.3

Heimliche Aufforderung

John Henry Mackay

Auf, hebe die funkelnde Schale
empor zum Mund,
Und trinke beim Freudenmahle
dein Herz gesund.
Und wenn du sie hebst, so winke
mir heimlich zu,
Dann lächle ich, und dann trinke
ich still wie du ...
Und still gleich mir betrachte
um uns das Heer
Der trunknen Schwätzer—verachte
sie nicht zu sehr.
Nein, hebe die blinkende Schale,
gefüllt mit Wein,
Und laß beim lärmenden Mahle
sie glücklich sein.
Doch hast du das Mahl genossen,
den Durst gestillt,
Dann verlasse der lauten Genossen
festfreudiges Bild,
Und wandle hinaus in den Garten
zum Rosenstrauch,—
Dort will ich dich dann erwarten
nach altem Brauch,
Und will an die Brust dir sinken
eh’ du’s gehofft,
Und deine Küsse trinken,
wie ehmals oft,
Und flechten in deine Haare
der Rose Pracht—
O komm, du wunderbare,
ersehnte Nacht!

Secret invitation

English Translation © Richard Stokes

Come, raise to your lips
the sparkling goblet,
And drink at this joyful feast
your heart to health.
And when you raise it, give
me a secret sign,
Then I shall smile, and drink
as quietly as you ...
And quietly like me, look
around at the hordes
Of drunken gossips—do not
despise them too much.
No, raise the glittering goblet,
filled with wine,
And let them be happy
at the noisy feast.
But once you have savoured the meal,
quenched your thirst,
Leave the loud company
of happy revellers,
And come out into the garden
to the rose-bush,—
There I shall wait for you
as I’ve always done.
And I shall sink on your breast,
before you could hope,
And drink your kisses,
as often before,
And twine in your hair
the glorious rose—
Ah! come, O wondrous,
longed-for night!
Translation © Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)

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Composer

Richard Strauss

Richard Georg Strauss was a German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is particularly well-known for his operas, Lieder, and tone poems. 

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Poet

John Henry Mackay

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