+== Erlkönig ==+ "Erlkönig" is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It depicts the death of a child assailed by a supernatural being, the Erlking, a king of the fairies. Information: In European folklore and myth, the Erlking is a sinister elf who lingers in the woods. He stalks children who stay in the woods for too long, and kills them by a single touch. Story: (excerpt from Wikipedia) An anxious young boy is being carried at night by his father on horseback. To where is not spelled out; German Hof has a rather broad meaning of "yard", "courtyard", "farm", or (royal) "court". The opening line tells that the time is late and that it is windy. As the poem unfolds, the son claims to see and hear the "Erlkönig" (Erl-King). His father claims to not see or hear the creature, and he attempts to comfort his son, asserting natural explanations for what the child sees – a wisp of fog, rustling leaves, shimmering willows. The Erl-King attempts to lure the child into joining him, promising amusement, rich clothes, and the attentions of his daughters. Finally, the Erl-King declares that he will take the child by force. The boy shrieks that he has been attacked, spurring the father to ride faster to the Hof. Upon reaching the destination, the child is already dead. Lyrics: (Translated by Edgar Alfred Bowring) Who rides there so late through the night dark and drear? The father it is, with his infant so dear; He holdeth the boy tightly clasp'd in his arm, He holdeth him safely, he keepeth him warm. My son, wherefore seek'st thou thy face thus to hide? Look, father, the Erl-King is close by our side! Dost see not the Erl-King, with crown and with train? My son, 'tis the mist rising over the plain. "Oh, come, thou dear infant! oh come thou with me! For many a game, I will play there with thee; On my strand, lovely flowers their blossoms unfold, My mother shall grace thee with garments of gold." My father, my father, and dost thou not hear The words that the Erl-King now breathes in mine ear? Be calm, dearest child, 'tis thy fancy deceives; 'Tis the sad wind that sighs through the withering leaves. "Wilt go, then, dear infant, wilt go with me there? My daughters shall tend thee with sisterly care; My daughters by night their glad festival keep, They'll dance thee, and rock thee, and sing thee to sleep." My father, my father, and dost thou not see, How the Erl-King his daughters has brought here for me? My darling, my darling, I see it aright, 'Tis the aged grey willows deceiving thy sight. "I love thee, I'm charm'd by thy beauty, dear boy! And if thou'rt unwilling, then force I'll employ." My father, my father, he seizes me fast, For sorely, the Erl-King has hurt me at last. The father now gallops, with terror half wild, He grasps in his arms the poor shuddering child; He reaches his courtyard with toil and with dread, The child in his arms finds he motionless, dead. © Credits ========================================= - Art: @Dioxite_ (Vector on Scratch) - Music: Erlkönig - Schubert, Poem by Goethe
