Once there roved at Adrupanta Brigands wild and daring too.
But their cheif whose name was Guito Had a noble heart and true.
Once he met in darkling forests Count von Marschan's little maid.
Soon there echoes through the branches:  I am yours till life shall fade.

But they are too soon awakened, Hunters come with loud halloo.
They are startled from their raptures, And they ask, what shall we do?
And her sire doth curse the maiden, Curses loud the chieftain grim,
Oh, have pity, father dearest, I shall go to death with him.

Soon Guito lies in darkness, Fearfull is his woe and pain!
Isabella seeks to shatter Her dear sweetheart's heavy chain.
She suceeds - and no oh wonder, He is once more safe and free,
Yet scarce rid from ghastly shackles, He must stop a villainy.

To the castle next he hastens, There he sees his sweetheart now,
But already she is kneeling, Ready for the wedding vow.
Forced to say "yes" to the union Which she loathes with all her might,
But the crime's denounced by Guito, And his lips are pale and tight.

Swoon of death grips Isabella, And she lies so sweet and pale.
Ah, there is no kiss can wake her, Nobly then he tells his tale.
To her father now he turns:  Yours the guilt that she is dead,
You alone her heart have broken.  You made pale those cheeks so red.

When the chief once more beholds her Lying on the silent bier,
He bends down to see her better, She still lives, Death is not near.
Off he bears her, on his saddle, Struck with fear the people stand,
And she wakes up from her swooning, He and she go hand in hand.

And they flee by love's wind carried, Peace and quiet have left them now,
Hunted and pursued by justice, Solemnly they take this vow:
Freely let us both surrender.  When the poison cup we've drained,
God his judgment then will render, Up in heaven our love we've gained.


Ballad from pg. 266 of Berlin Alexandperplatz