Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

River Lilies

Saw a boy three lilies white, Lilies in the river, Half heart-open to the light, Full of golden arrows bright, Each a silver quiver. Lilies, lilies, lilies white, Lilies in the river. Said the boy, “I’ll pluck you there, Lilies in the river!” Said the lilies, “If you dare You shall drown, or homeward fare Dripping and a-shiver!” Lilies, lilies, lilies white, Lilies in the river. Wilful still the boy would clasp Lilies in the river; Tumbled in ere he could grasp, Scrambled out with puff and gasp, Plucked no lilies ever. Lilies, lilies, lilies white, Lilies in the river. In German: "Haiden-Roslein. " No. 3 in Schubert's "22 Songs. "