One of the first songs written for Pictura Poesis. It was the third track on the demo but the first batch had a misprint in is stating it to be the fourth track.
Death and the Maiden (Der Tod und das Mädchen in German) was a common motif in Renaissance art, and therefore an excelent theme for a metal band to use in a song.
There she was, out of the mists,
A beautiful, young girl,
A maiden in her summer years,
a seductive, deadly spell.
The confidence, that she displayed, touched something deep inside,
And I wanted her, her innocence would be mine!
So I hid myself behind a mask of beauty matching hers,
and lured her deep inside the woods, with a smile in my eyes.
What must I make of you, who dwells here so alone
She was just an innocent maiden, eager to reply
The girl sensed no fear in my stride
But could she really tell wrong from right?"
Deeper and deeper, into darkness we went,
trees covering the sky, not a clue to give away a descent.
Slowly, gently, I guided her, to where all men's master dwells.
A meadow, still, but for the wind, whispering calming lullabies,
I softly laid her down, staring deep into her eyes.
My fingers were entwined in hers, when I whispered
Who are you to walk these woods, where mighty monsters dwell?
A good girl is one that knows her place, and learns her manners well.
So what then must I make of you, who alone and unguarded here so dwells?
Her doe-eyed face was wet with tears, her eyes were begging me,
her heart was racing, her body pale, as I felt my hunger rise.
I let her go, but she dare not move, as my face began to melt.
The skull that I showed, the bleakness of my bones, pinned her to the ground.
No fear for me, nor your honor and your pride,
Come take my hand, accept Death as your bride.
Mistress of all men you’ll be, forever by my side.
Share my immortality, and leave this loneful life for all eternity.