The narrative of "The Devil King" is like this: in the middle of the night, the father gallops through the woods on horseback, and he holds the child tightly to his chest to warm him. The child is terrified because the invisible demon king lurks in the depths of the dense forest, and he is seducing the child's soul. While comforting the child, the father galloped on his horse, and he wanted to rush home before the power of the demon king attacked and save the child's life. The atmosphere became more and more tense, the threat of the demon king was approaching, he cast a spell to seduce the child's soul, the father trembled, hugged the child, and finally rushed home, and the child in his arms was dead.
The Erlkönig – J. W. Goethe
The Demon King – Goethe
The night is hazy, who is galloping in the wind?
It was the father who took his children;
He took the child in his arms,
He hugged him tight and gave him warmth.
My son, why are you hiding your face?
Daddy, you, didn't you see that demon king?
The demon king wore a crown and dragged a long skirt.
My son, it was a cloud of smoke.
Come, come with me, cute kid!
I'm going to make fun games with you;
There are many colorful flowers blooming on the seashore.
My mother had many gold threads.
Daddy, Daddy, you didn't hear,
The Demon King whispered a promise to me?
Shhh, kid, you have to be quiet;
It was the sound of the wind blowing dead leaves.
Smart child, would you like to walk with me?
My daughter will serve you diligently;
My daughters will dance night after night,
Jumping, singing, shaking you, making you fall asleep.
Daddy, Daddy, didn't you see that?
The daughters of the Demon King standing in the shadows?
My son, my son, I can see clearly;
It was a few old gray poplar trees.
I love you, and your beauty makes me rejoice.
If you don't, I'm going to use force.
Daddy, Daddy, he's catching me now!
The Demon King caught me in pain!
The father was terrified, and quickly galloped his horse,
He held the moaning child in his arms,
It was so easy to get to his house,
The child in his arms had left.
