Has my mother finally fallen asleep
   Over her book of sermons?
   Needle, you now must lie still:
   Sewing, ever sewing, -- no! --
   I shall read the cards to ascertain my fortune.
   Ah, what can I expect?
   Ah, how shall it all turn out?
 
If I am not deceived,
   Someone shows himself, the one I have in mind, --
   Good! there he comes then, the One,
   The Jack of Hearts knew his duty. --
   A rich widow? -- oh woe!
   Yes, he marries her, I perish!
   Oh you dreadful scoundrel!
 
Heartache and much vexation, --
   A school and closely confining walls, --
   The King of Diamonds, who must pity
   And must finally comfort me. --
   A gift [presented] in a courteous manner --
   He carries me off -- A journey --
   Money and pleasure in abundance!
 
This King of Diamonds there
   Must be a prince or a king
   And it would not take much
   For me to become a princess myself. --
   Here is an enemy who, trying to do me a mischief,
   Fawns about his Highness,
   And a blonde man is near me.
 
A secret is revealed,
   And I manage to flee in time, --
   Farewell all you glories!
   Oh that was a cruel blow!
   One is lost, a crowd
   Throngs about me,
   So many people that I can hardly count them.
 
This chap here with grey hair
   Must be a squire from the country,
   Demurely I dangle him on a string
   And I lead him to the altar. --
   To Paris! -- A jolly life!
   If the man grumbles, I simply laugh,
   For everything remains the way it was. --
 
 [Does the morose visage appear,]1
   Is the wheezing old woman coming
   To chase away my love and enjoyment,
   Before my youth has flown? --
   Ah! it is my mother, who awakens,
   And opens her mouth to scold me. --
   No, the cards do not lie!