Maiden’s Cares

O SLEEP! sweet sleep! in vain, in vain I bid thee visit me: The anxious thought disturbs my brain— Whose shall the maiden be? My mother says, “The goatherd, child! The goatherd, child! for thee.” Nay, mother, nay! not he, not he; That were no happiness for me: He tracks the mountains steep and wild Where rocks and dangers be.

O sleep! sweet sleep! in vain, in vain I bid thee visit me: The anxious thought disturbs my brain— Whose shall the maiden be? My mother says, “The shepherd, maid! The shepherd, maid! for thee.” Nay, mother, nay! not he, not he; That were no happiness for me: He wanders through the distant glade Where wolves and perils be.

O sleep! sweet sleep! in vain, in vain I bid thee visit me: The anxious thought disturbs my brain— Whose shall the maiden be? My mother says, “The tradesman, dear! The tradesman, dear! for thee.” Nay, mother, nay! not he, not he; That were no happiness for me: He is a wanderer far and near, His house no home may be.

O sleep, sweet sleep! in vain, in vain I bid thee visit me: The anxious thought disturbs my brain— Whose shall the maiden be? My mother says, “The tailor, then, The tailor, then, for thee!” Nay! mother! nay; not he, not he! That were no happiness for me; The tailor’s needle may be keen, His children hungry be.

O sleep, sweet sleep! in vain, in vain I bid thee visit me; The anxious thought disturbs my brain, Whose shall the maiden be? My mother says;—“The peasant, take The peasant, child! for thee.” Yes! mother, yes! in him I see Both love and happiness for me; For though his labouring hands are black, The whitest bread eats he.