I have a carrier pigeon in my pay;
it is very devoted and faithful.
It never falls short of my goal,
Nor flies past it.
I send it many a thousand times
daily away with my messages,
past many dear places
until it reaches my sweetheart's house.
In at the window there it furtively looks,
observes her face and step,
cheerfully gives my greetings,
and brings hers back.
I no longer need to write letters,
I give it my own tears,
O it will certainly never lose them,
so zealously it serves me.
By day, by night, awake, asleep,
all that is one;
if it can simply roam,
it is utterly content.
It never grows tired nor weary;
the way is always new,
It needs no bribe, nor wage,
the pigeon is so faithful.
And so I cherish it faithfully at my breast,
sure of the fairest favors.
Its name is Longing.
Do you know it, the messenger of a true heart?