And then no more

I saw her only the one time,

and then no more;

just as I saw one ray from heaven

and then no more.

I saw the morning breeze playing

around her as she walked through the valley;

Spring was in the valley,

and then no more.

In the festival hall I saw her

unveil herself;

it was Paradise in the hall,

and then no more.

She was the cup-bearer, in our circle

she presented us with such pleasure;

she smilingly served me a goblet,

and then no more.

She was the rose and I saw her bloom

in the morning dew;

in the evening the rose was wilted,

and then was no more.

Only once did Gardener Spring weep

over a rose:

when Death stole this rose from him;

and then no more.

One time only, when it died,

did the pleasure of life turn bitter,

did the torment of death turn sweet,

and then no more.

I saw the rose a bride in gauzy dress,

locked in

the dark chamber, narrow and constrained,

and then no more.

I'll go into the rose's bridal chamber

by the light of the moon

and weep my lot of tears,

and then no more.