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ROMANCERO: BOOK 1. HISTORIES: PALSGRAVINE JUTTA by HEINRICH HEINE

First Line: THE PALSGRAVINE JUTTA, IN BARK SO LIGHT
Last Line: SO SADLY ARE FLOATING THE CORPSES!
Subject(s): CORPSES; RHINE (RIVER), EUROPE; CADAVERS;

THE Palsgravine Jutta, in bark so light,
Is crossing the Rhine in the moonlight bright
The Countess speaks, while rows the maid:
"Hast thou you 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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