The Erl-King
Oh! who rides by night thro’ the woodland so wild?
It is the fond father embracing his child;
And close the boy nestles within his loved arm,
To hold himself fast and to keep himself warm.
“O Father, see yonder! see yonder!” he says:
“My boy, upon what dost thou fearfully gaze?”—
“Oh! ’tis the Erl-King with his crown and his shroud,”—
“No, my Son, it is but a dark wreath of the cloud.”