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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79.

Rhine, the River

The Rhine

By Heinrich Heine (1797–1856)

Translated by C. G. Leland

HILLS and towers are gazing downward

In the mirror-gleaming Rhine,

And my boat drives gayly onward,

While the sun-rays round it shine.

Calm I watch the wavelets stealing,

Golden gleaming, as I glide;

Calmly too awakes the feeling

Which within my heart I hide.

Gently greeting and assuring,

Bright the river tempts me on;

Well I know that face alluring!

Death and night lie further down!

Joy above, at heart beguiling,—

Thou ’rt my own love’s image, Flood!

She too knows the art of smiling,

She can seem as calm and good.