Der Erlkönig [English translation]

Who rides so late through night and wind?

It's the father with his child;

He has the young lad safe in his arm,

He holds him tightly, he keeps him warm

"My son, why do you hide your face, so frightened?"-

"Don't you see, father, the Alder-King?

The Alder-King with his crown and tail?"-

"My son, it's a wisp of fog."

"You sweet child, come, go with me!

Such beautiful games I'll play with you;

There are lots of beautiful flowers on the shore;

My mother has many golden clothes"-

"My father, my father, and don't you hear,

What the Alder-King promises me softly?"-

"Hush now, stay quiet, my child;

The wind is whispering in dry leaves."-

"Do you want, fine lad, to go with me?

My daughters shall wait on you, hand and foot;

My daughters lead the nightly dance,

And they'll show you how to sway and dance and sing."-

"My father, my father, and don't you see

Alder-King's daughters in that dark place?"-

"My son, my son, I see it clearly:

The old willows shimmer so gray.-"

"I love you, your beautiful shape tantalizes me;

And if you are not willing, I'm going to use force."-

"My father, my father, now he's grabbing me!

Alder-King hurt me!"-

The father is filled with horror, he rides quickly

He holds the groaning child in his arm,

He just barely reaches the homestead

The child was dead in his arms.

• Artist:Johann Wolfgang von Goethe