I'll Tell What until Now

I'll tell what until now I could

A sacred secret keep,
As hides the sea the precious pearl

Within its mighty deep.
My precious pearl, beauteous dove,

Sweet maiden list' to me
What I have felt, what were my woes,

I'll now relate to thee.

I deeply loved, my love though brought

But misery for me,
The more intense my passions grew

More woe begone I'd be.
My love, my grief, — twins were these two,

The children of my fate,
And all the time I loved thee, dear,

I was unfortunate.

My lips were sealed by cruel fate,

I did not dare confess,
Most eagerly I sought that none

Should know my wretchedness.
A burden it had been my mind's

Condition to conceal.
I often feared that crushing me

It would the truth reveal.

Just as the sunrays oft are hid

By clouds, I also tried
Thy picture sweet within my heart

Most carefully to hide,
A light wind though will dissipate
The clouds upon the high,

And all the brighter, warmer shines
The sun then in the sky.

That some one else I love I e'en

To lie had deemed it best,
The lie brought gruesome agonies

To my sorrowful breast.
The truth now has been told, sweetheart,

About my love, my woe:
Will thy reply sweet sympathy

And consolation show?

Who art my life's redeeming cross,

My life's salvation! Speak!
Hast thou for me no such reply

Which I ardently seek?
Of course thou hast it not, thy lips

Have mute become for aye:
Within thy coffin dead, I now

Thy tombstone hore survey.