It has been a grand day today, because I got to finish the painting I was working on for a while. I found the perfect name for her: #Lorelei, after #clemensbrentano 's poem about a beautiful yet damned #sorceress who burns all men's hearts with her eyes (1801). The poem is originally in German, but I found a good English translation by #SarahRose online: . 🖤Lorelei🖤 . At Bacharach on the Rhine Lived a sorceress She was so beautiful and fine And enraptured many hearts And brought much disgrace To the men all around, Out of their bonds of love There was no more salvation. . The bishop released her of the spiritual power - And she must be endowed, So beautiful was her form. . He spoke to her, stirred: "You poor Lorelei! Whoever has seduced you into evil sorcery?" . "Lord bishop, let me die, I am tired of life, Because everyone must perish who looks into my eyes. . My eyes are two flames, My arm, a magic wand - Oh, lay me in the flames! Oh, break the wand for me!" . "I cannot damn you, Till you first confess to me, Why in these flames my own heart already burns. . The wand I cannot break, You beautiful Lorelei! I would then have to break My own heart in two." . "Lord bishop, with me a wretch, Do not be driven to such evil ridicule, And ask for mercy, For me from our dear God. . I must live no longer, I love no one anymore - Death you shall give to me, For it is why I came to you. . My darling has betrayed me, Has turned away from me, Has gone away from here, Gone to a foreign land. . The eyes, gentle and wild, The cheeks, red and white, The words, quiet and soft This is my magic circle. . I myself must perish within, My heart hurts so, I want to die from pain, When I see my portrait. . Therefore let me find my due, Let me die like a Christian, Because everything must disappear Since he is not with me." . Three knights he did summon: "Take her to the convent, Go Lore! - God commanded Be your beguiling essence. 👉 See the remaining part of this poem in comments Artwork by @lotteteussink via Instagram https://ift.tt/37o8xnN
