The Melody (From Arne)

The youth in the woods spent the whole day long, The whole day long; For there he had heard such a wonderful song, Wonderful song. Willow-wood gave him a flute so fair, A flute so fair,— To try, if within were the melody rare, Melody rare. Melody whispered and said: "I am here!" Said: "I am here!" But while he was listening, it fled from his ear, Fled from his ear. Oft when he slept, it to him crept, It to him crept; And over his forehead in love it swept, In love it swept. When he would seize it, his sleep took flight, His sleep took flight; The melody hung in the pallid night, In the pallid night. "Lord, O my God, take me therein, Take me therein! The melody rare all my soul doth win, My soul doth win." Answered the Lord: "'T is your friend alone, Your friend alone; Though never an hour you it shall own, You it shall own."