Erlkonig (goethe)

Who rides so late through night and wind?
It's the father with his child;
He holds the boy tight in his arm,
He keeps him safe, he keeps him warm.

"My son, why do you look so scared?"
"Dad, don't you see the Erlking there?
The Erlking with his crown and tail?"
"My son, it's just a misty veil."

"You dear child, come, go with me!
I’ll play you games so beautifully:
Many colorful flowers are on the shore,
My mother has many golden robes in store."

"My father, my father, can’t you hear
What the Erlking softly promises near?
Be calm, stay calm, my child;
In the dry leaves, the wind is wild."

"Will you, fine boy, come with me?
My daughters will wait for you, you’ll see;
My daughters lead the nightly dance,
And they’ll rock you and sing you into a trance."

"My father, my father, don’t you see there
Erlking's daughters in the dark air?"
"My son, my son, I see it clear,
The old willows look so gray here."

"I love you, your beautiful form excites me;
And if you’re not willing, I’ll use force, you’ll see."
"My father, my father, he’s grabbing my hand!
Erlking has done me harm, I can’t stand!"

The father shudders, he rides away fast,
He holds the moaning child close at last,
He reaches the yard with struggle and fright;
In his arms, the child was dead by night.