The Nix
Who is this man with sadness on face
In the lights of moon wanders by the wave?
In cloudy overcoat, in wreath of corals.
Who is he? The Nix [1] – about what this spirit dreams?
Low lake fell asleep at evening
And only swan around circulates
He saw him – – escaped, the bell behind the forests rings
For drowned … cries for help – [2]
Who are you youth, who with lyre so melodious
You blow by the wave – and walk in the depths?..
From land for beloved you call doleful song
Follow me girl! Follow me into the depth!
Come beloved come!
Into underwater world
Where the corals flower blooms cold!
Come beloved come!
In my arms.
On conch and mosses bed I dream
So cold there!
I alone oh! alone!
Come beloved come!
Into underwater world
Where the corals flower blooms cold!
And white girl came out (when he sings that)
Leaves splendid castle without regret,
And she trembles like the leaf that falls from the three
Since she once heard – this song of love!...
And song rapes her – treacherously drags,
That she throws herself into arms of Nix.
He caught her – carries … by waves like a child,
He cold mouths caught flame of her mouth…
Her hair sweeps the gilded wave
Bright glitter it envies the moon,
She hanged head down… staring in the depth.
Lucky Nix goes crazy with joy.
And moon went pale – he with lute hanging down
He went – carrying bent down silhouette the girl,
The mirrors of waters sleep dreamy depth,
Suddenly bell rang – – they sank in depth!
And foam, pile up waves of lake
And only lonely swan circulates around
Through trembling leaves somewhere behind the forest
The bell of the drowned call for help…
- ↑ „Topielec” can be translated as: drowned man (in meaning of dead body as well as acting in water environment variety of vampires or zombies in Slavic folk demonology), nix, water spirit, water-elf. (Wikisource contributor note)
- ↑ Cracovian legend and history about the bell of the drowned. (Wikisource contributor note)
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