  The Palsgravine Jutta, in bark so light, Is crossing the Rhine in the moonlight bright; The Countess speaks, while rows the maid: “Hast thou yon seven corpses survey’d “That, seeking to find us, “Are floating behind us?— “So sadly are floating the corpses! “Seven knights were they, who their love confess’d, “And tenderly sank on my heaving breast, “And swore to be faithful; so, certain to make “That they their oaths should never break, “I seized and bound them, “And straightway drown’d them,— “So sadly are floating the corpses!” The Countess laughs, while the maiden rows, Through the air her laughter scornfully goes; From the water the corpses rise high as the thigh, And point with their fingers towards the sky, In token of swearing, With glassy eyes staring— So sadly are floating the corpses! |
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