A Bad Beginning

The yellow sun steps over the mountain-top     And falters a few short steps across the lake -     Are you awake?     See, glittering on the milk-blue, morning lake     They are laying the golden racing-track of the sun;     The day has begun.     The sun is in my eyes, I must get up.     I want to go, there's a gold road blazes before     My breast - which is so sore.     What? - your throat is bruised, bruised with my kisses?     Ah, but if I am cruel what then are you?     I am bruised right through.     What if I love you! - This misery     Of your dissatisfaction and misprision     Stupefies me.     Ah yes, your open arms! Ah yes, ah yes,     You would take me to your breast! - But no,     You should come to mine,     It were better so.     Here I am - get up and come to me!     Not as a visitor either, nor a sweet     And winsome child of innocence; nor     As an insolent mistress telling my pulse's beat.     Come to me like a woman coming home     To the man who is her husband, all the rest     Subordinate to this, that he and she     Are joined together for ever, as is best.     Behind me on the lake I hear the steamer drumming     From Austria. There lies the world, and here     Am I. Which way are you coming?