John Wall Callcott - The Erl King - текст песни (слова)

The Erl-King By Matthew Lewis (1775-1818) Who is it that rides through the forest so fast,
 While night frowns around him, while shrill roars the blast? 
 The father, who holds his young son in his arm, 
 And close in his mantle has wrapp'd him up warm. 
 "'Why trembles my darling? why shrinks he with fear?'" 
 "'Oh, father! my father! the Erl-King is near! 
 The Erl-King, with his crown and his beard long and white!' 
 "'Oh! thine eyes are deceived by the vapours of night.'" 
 "'If you, my dear baby, with me go away! 
 I shall give you fine clothes, we will play a fine play; 
 Fine flowers are growing, white, scarlet, and blue, 
 On the banks of yon river, and all are for you.'" 
 'Oh! father! my father! and dost thou not hear, 
 What words the Erl-King whispers low in mine ear?'" 
 "'Now hush thee, my darling, thy terrors appease; 
 Thou hear'st, 'mid the branches, where murmurs the breeze.' 
 "'If you, my sweet baby, with me choose to stay, 
 My daughters shall nurse you, so fair and so gay; 
 My daughters, in purple and gold who are dressed, 
 Shall tend you, and kiss you, and sing you to rest!' 
 "'Oh! father! my father! and dost thou not see 
 The Erl-King and his daughters are waiting for me?'"
  "'Oh! shame thee, my darling, 'tis fear makes thee blind: 
 Thou see'st the dark willows which wave in the wind.'" 
 "'I love you! I doat on your face so divine! 
 I must and will have you, and force makes you mine!'" 
 "'My father! my father! oh! hold me now fast! 
 He pulls me! he hurts, and will have me at last!'"
  The father he trembled, he doubled his speed; 
 O'er hills and through forests he spurred his black steed; 
 But when he arrived at his own castle door, 
 Life throbbed in the sweet baby's bosom no more.