The despairing lover

Studying will not help,

my coat has no stitching left,

my zither won't resonate:

my beloved does not want me.

I wish that on the green,

the most beautiful woman were strolling,

and that I were a dragon, and could carry her

off with me through the blue skies.

I wish I were decked out for the hunt

and had my lance displayed;

I would flush all the philistines

out from this lovely world.

I wish I were lying now

in the calm, broad sky

and did not need to think about anything

but my contentment.