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The last embers of the evening sun
crept behind her luminous gold hair.
My soul grimly doffed his hat
and said to the damsel:

"Somewhere in the underworld
Lives a treacherous, spiteful ape.
He is expressly engaged in
giving us misery and worries.
If we have a mere glance at happiness,
he rips this pleasure away from us,
and he gives us the most amazing luck,
at times when we can't make use of it.

For a week I've searched for you, heavenly maiden;
your face came to me in my dreams -
But - to meet you today! Today, of all days!" -
And I told her of my sorrows.

The damsel staggered backward with a pained countenance,
"The ape also worked his ways on me.
I too would love to go out with you,
But yesterday I became engaged!"

--

So we walked alongside the linden trees,
With a sad gaping hole between us.
Then around us clanged a happy and festive noise,
and before us danced the ape!