Hardly dare I speak

Hardly dare I speak,

'fore sudden he waves;

the king dreams awake,

and yet worse by night;

would so like to tell him

what I think about the most...

I think of days gone by:

he cannot understand it!

I dreamt, that I was a dove,

and caged with a hawk,

from the hawk's glittering eyes

I fled 'gainst the wall in fear;

then he offered me safe-conduct

wherever I might desire...

then he thrust his rapier beak

through my white breast.

Ever must I wake

by day and by night,

if I turn from him,

he wakens suddenly,

clasps me in his embrace,

as if I would leave him...

his kisses are burning flame;

I cannot understand them.