The page sat in the lofty tower - Jens Peter Jacobsen

The page sat in the lofty tower

Gazing at the distance,

Rhyming of a love song

On his love and longing,

So confused the words came thronging,

Vain his searching.

Now with bright stars, now with roses

Nothing could be rhymed with roses –

Then with despair to his mouth put his horn,

Tight with his hand his sword gripped,

Blew forth thus his love longing

Away across the mountains.

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Jens Peter Jacobsen (1847 - 1885) Denmark

Translated by Frederick Delius

Source: The Complete Delius Songbook Vol 2, Mark Stone & Stephen Barlow, Boosey & Hawkes, 2011