I am willing to interpret this
Hugo Wolf
Hatem:
I am willing to interpret this!
Have I not often recounted the story
of how the Doge of Venice
married the sea?
It was this way that your fingers
let the ring fall into the Euphrates.
Ah, to a thousand flowery songs
you inspire me, sweet dream!
I, who have been everywhere from the Indies
to Damascus,
and come with new caravans
all the way to the Red Sea:
You have married me to your river,
to the terrace of this grove;
here I shall, until the last kiss,
dedicate my soul.