Observations placeholder
Heine, Heinrich - A dream of fearful mystery
Identifier
002620
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Poems Selected from Heinrich Heine – by Kate Freiligrath Kroeker
A dream of fearful mystery
Delighted and distracted me
Strange forms of terror haunt me still
And heart and bosom wildly thrill
I saw a garden wondrous fair
And I was fain to wander there
Uncounted flowerets glistened bright
And filled my senses with delight
The birds from many a leafy spray
Sang many a loving roundelay
The sun with golden splendour glowed
A thousand tints the flowerets showed
Balsamic odours everywhere
Came floating in the summer air
And all was smiling, all was bright
As eager to rejoice my sight
And mid the flower bespangled glade
Limpid a marble fountain played
And there I spied a maiden bright
She stooped, and washed a robe of white
Her eyes were mild, her cheeks were fair
Like pictured saint with golden hair
And as I gaze, methinks a trace
A strange and yet familiar face
Her task, meanwhile, the maiden plies
And chants a song in wondrous wise
'Flow, flow, water flow
Wash the line white as snow’