The poet's recovery

And again I had thought of that loveliest of women,

whom I have only seen before in dreams;

it drove me outside into the bright night,

and I had to walk through the silent grounds.

Suddenly

the valley shone,

eerily as if it were a hall of ghosts.

There rushed together like a dance melody

the streaming wind, with a clangor and a hiss;

it blew in a hasty procession

from the cliffs and valleys, from the waves and the bushes,

and in the moonlight,

there was a white wreath

where the elves were dancing a round dance.

And in the middle of their circle was a light, airy woman,

who was their queen, and I heard them singing:

"Leave this heavy earthly body,

leave these foolish earthly things!

Only in moonlight

is Life itself!

Only in floating dreams is eternal existence!

I am she whom you often see in dreams;

I am she, the beloved of whom you often sing;

I am she, the queen of the elves.

You wanted to see me: your wish has been granted.

Now you shall be mine

for eternity.

Come, come with me in the Elven Order!"

Already approaching, already flying around me,

the morning breeze is blowing and I am recovering.

Go away now, you elven queen;

now I will choose a different love -

one without lies and pretence,

with a pure heart;

certainly there is one to be found for me.