The Works of J. W. von Goethe/Volume 9/Rinaldo
RINALDO.[1]
[This cantata was written for Prince Frederick of Gotha, and set to music by Winter, the prince singing the part of Rinaldo.—See the Annalen.]
CHORUS.
To the strand! quick, mount the bark!
If no favouring breezes blow,
Ply the oar and nimbly row,
And with zeal your prowess mark!
O'er the sea we thus career.
RINALDO.
Oh, let me linger one short moment here!
'Tis heaven's decree, I may not hence away.
The rugged cliffs, the wood-encircled bay,
Hold me a prisoner, and my flight delay.
Ye were so fair, but now that dream is o'er;
The charms of earth, the charms of heaven are nought.
What keeps me in this spot so terror-fraught?
My only joy is fled from me for evermore.
Let me taste those days so sweet.
Heaven descended, once again!
Heart, dear heart! ay, warmly beat!
Spirit true, recall those days!
Freeborn breath, thy gentle lays
Mingled are with joy and pain.
Round the beds so richly gleaming,
Rises up a palace fair;
And with rosy fragrance teeming,
As in dream thou saw'st it ne'er.
And this spacious garden round,
Far extend the galleries;
Roses blossom near the ground,
High in air, too, bloom the trees.
Wat'ry flakes and jets are falling,
Sweet and silv'ry strains arise;
While the turtle-dove is calling,
And the nightingale replies.
CHORUS.
Gently come! feel no alarm,
On a noble duty bent;
Vanished now is ev'ry charm
That by magic power was lent.
Friendly words and greetings calm
On his wounds will pour soft balm,
Fill his mind with sweet content.
RINALDO.
Hark! the turtle-dove is calling,
And the nightingale replies;
Wat'ry flakes and jets are falling,
Mingling with their melodies.
But all of them say:
Her only we mean;
But all fly away,
As soon as she's seen,—
The beauteous young maiden,
With graces so rife.
Then lily and rose
In wreaths are entwining:
In dances combining,
Each zephyr that blows
Its brother is greeting,
All flying and meeting
With balsam full laden,
When awakened to life.
CHORUS.
No! no longer may we wait;
Rouse him from his vision straight!
Show the adamantine shield!
RINALDO.
Woe! what form is here revealed!
CHORUS.
'Twill disclose the cheat to thee.
RINALDO.
Am I doomed myself to see
Thus degraded evermore?
CHORUS.
Courage take, and all is o'er.
RINALDO.
Be it so! I'll take fresh heart,
From the spot beloved depart,
Leave Armida once again.—
Come then! here no more remain!
CHORUS.
Yes, 'tis well no more remain.
SEMI-CHORUS.
Away then! let's fly
O'er the zephyr-kissed ocean.
The soul-lighted eye
Sees armies in motion,
Sees proud banners wave
O'er the dust-sprinkled course.
CHORUS.
From his forefathers brave
Draws the hero new force.
RINALDO.
With sorrow laden,
Within this valley's
All-silent alleys
The fairest maiden
Again I see.
Twice can this be?
What! shall I hear it.
And not have spirit
To ease her pains?
CHORUS.
Unworthy chains?
RINALDO.
And now I've seen her
Alas! how changed!
With cold demeanour,
And looks estranged,
With ghostly tread,—
All hope is fled,
Yes, fled for ever.
The lightnings quiver,
Each palace falls;
The godlike halls,
Each joyous hour
Of spirit-power,
With love's sweet day
All fade away!
CHORUS.
Yes, fade away!
SEMI - CHORUS.
Already are heard
The prayers of the pious.
Why longer deny us?
The favouring zephyr
Forbids all delay.
CHORUS.
Away, then! away!
RINALDO.
With heart sadly stirred,
Your command I receive;
Ye force me to leave.
Unkind is the zephyr,—
Oh, wherefore not stay?
CHORUS.
Away, then! away!
- ↑ See Tasso's "Gerusalemme Liberata," Canto XVI.