The fortune-teller

Has my mother finally fallen asleep

Over her book of sermons?

Needle, you now must lie still:

Sewing, ever sewing, -- no! --

I shall read the cards to ascertain my fortune.

Ah, what can I expect?

Ah, how shall it all turn out?

If I am not deceived,

Someone shows himself, the one I have in mind, --

Good! there he comes then, the One,

The Jack of Hearts knew his duty. --

A rich widow? -- oh woe!

Yes, he marries her, I perish!

Oh you dreadful scoundrel!

Heartache and much vexation, --

A school and closely confining walls, --

The King of Diamonds, who must pity

And must finally comfort me. --

A gift presented in a courteous manner --

He carries me off -- A journey --

Money and pleasure in abundance!

This King of Diamonds there

Must be a prince or a king

And it would not take much

For me to become a princess myself. --

Here is an enemy who, trying to do me a mischief,

Fawns about his Highness,

And a blonde man is near me.

A secret is revealed,

And I manage to flee in time, --

Farewell all you glories!

Oh that was a cruel blow!

One is lost, a crowd

Throngs about me,

So many people that I can hardly count them.

This chap here with grey hair

Must be a squire from the country,

Demurely I dangle him on a string

And I lead him to the altar. --

To Paris! -- A jolly life!

If the man grumbles, I simply laugh,

For everything remains the way it was. --

Does the morose visage appear,

Is the wheezing old woman coming

To chase away my love and enjoyment,

Before my youth has flown? --

Ah! it is my mother, who awakens,

And opens her mouth to scold me. --

No, the cards do not lie!