TESTO DEL LIED

"Irmelin Rose"
di Frederick Delius (1862-1934)

There was a King in days of old, many treasures rare he owned; he knew his daughter Irmelin of all to be the rarest one, Irmelin rose, Irmelin sun, Irmelin loveliest of all!
Her bright image was reflected in the helmets of all the knights, and with ev'ry rhyme and rhythm her fair name had been entwined: Irmelin rose, Irmelin sun, Irmelin loveliest of all!
Knights by hundreds, noble wooters thronged the castle of the King, wooed the maid with tender bearing and with sweet and flowered words: Irmelin rose, Irmelin sun, Irmelin loveliest of all!
But the Princess would not listen, cold her heart was, cold as steel, of some she mocked the clumsy bearing and laughed at others ugly forms. Irmelin rose, Irmelin sun, Irmelin loveliest of all!