Der Steyrertanz

High o’er the maiden’s head

Then raises he his arm;

His finger as a pivot,

She circles round about

Like strength to beauty joined.

How straight ahead he dances

In noble attitude,

And causes then the maid

Light whirling from the right

To glide beneath the left.

His nimble partner now,

Must circle at his back,

Dance round and round about him

As if he wished to be

As if he wished to say,

Encircled by his love,

‘Describe for me the circle

of all my hopes and joys.’

And now the blissful couple

Take hold each other’s hands

And with a supple movement

Slip through each other’s arms.

His eyes are fixed on her

And Hers see only him.

Perhaps they mean to say,

Why can’t we two, united

In one another’s arms

Spend all our life together

In such a dance as this?

Nicholaus Lenau