Friedrich Schiller - The Knight of Toggenburg (Arnold-Forster translation) lyrics

"A true sister's love, Sir Knight — That thou mayst attain; But no other love invite, For 'twould cause me pain. I would see thee calm draw near, Calm depart as well. In thine eye I mark a tear: — Why, I can not tell." And he hears in dumb distress, But can scarcely heed; And with one intense caress Leaps upon his steed. At his rigorous behest All his Switzers come, Bound (the cross on every breast) To the holy tomb. There are feats of derring-do Wrought by heroes' arms; And their plumes go crashing through Unbelieving swarms. And the Toggenburger's name Scares the pagan host, Yet no peace his heart can claim, No relief can boast. For a year he strove with grief, Then could bear no more. All in vain he sought relief, And his arms forswore. Lo! a bark on Joppa's strand: Full her canvas swells, And he hies him to the land Where his darling dwells. And the pilgrim knocked at last At her castle gate. Open, true, the gate was cast, But, alas! too late. For these words his ears a**ail As it opens wide: — "Yesterday she took the veil, Now is Heaven's bride." Then for aye he steals away From his fathers' home, Leaves his weapons to decay, Lets his courser roam. Quits his castle's lordly height, Wandering in despair, With his noble limbs bedight In a shirt of hair. Just a little hut he rears, And from thence he sees Where the convent wall appears 'Mid the linden trees. From the earliest sunbeam's slope Till the evening glow There he sits in eager hope, Hoping through his woe. On the cloister many an hour Did his glances hang, Watching o'er his darling's bower For the lattice' clang; Till the dear presentment showed Like some sculptured queen, And in reflex glory flowed O'er the tranquil scene. Then he laid him down to sleep, Deadening his pain With the thought that dawn would peep, Morning break again. Thus he sat for years on years, Hiding every pang, Only quickening his ears For the lattice clang. Till the dear presentment showed Like some sculptured queen, And in reflex glory flowed O'er the tranquil scene. So he sat till, on a day, Pa**ed his flickering breath, But the lattice o'er the way Claimed his eyes in d**h.