Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Italy: Vols. XI–XIII. 1876–79.

Introductory

Mignon

By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)

Anonymous translation

KNOW’ST thou the land, there where the citron blows?

In darksome leaves the golden orange glows;

A gentle wind from the blue heaven expands,

The myrtle still, and high the laurel stands!

Know’st thou the land? Ah, there, ah, there

Would I with thee, O my beloved, go!

Know’st thou the house? On columns rests its roof;

Glitters the hall, the chambers gleam aloof;

And marble statues stand and gaze at me;—

“What have they done, poor little child, to thee?”

Know’st thou the house? Ah, there, ah, there

Would I with thee, O my protector, go!

Know’st thou the mount, with cloud-enveloped track?

The mule seeks out his way in mist and rack;

In caverns dwells the dragon’s ancient brood;

Down leaps the crag, and over it the flood!

Know’st thou the mount? Ah, there, ah, there

Leadeth our road, O father, let us go!