I
Not much longer thirstest thou,
O burnt-up heart!
Promise is in the air,
From unknown mouths I feel a breath,
--The great coolness comes....
My sun stood hot above me at noonday:
A greeting to you that are coming,
Ye sudden winds,
Ye cool spirits of afternoon!
The air is strange and pure.
See how the night
Leers at me with eyes askance,
Like a seducer!...
Be strong, my brave heart,
And ask not "Why?"
2
The day of my life!
The sun sinks,
And the calm flood
Already is gilded.
Warm breathes the rock:
Did happiness at noonday
Take its siesta well upon it?
In green light
Happiness still glimmers up from the brown abyss
Day of my life!
Eventide's nigh,
Thy eye already
Glows half-broken,
Thy dew already
Pours out its tear-drops,
Already over the white seas
Walks the purple of thy love,
Thy last hesitating holiness....
3
Golden gaiety, come!
Thou, the sweetest foretaste--
Foretaste of death!
--Went I my way too swiftly?
Now that the foot grows weary,
Thine eye still catches me,
Thy happiness still catches me.
Around but waves and play.
Whatever was hard
--Sank into blue oblivion.
My boat now stands idle.
Storm and motion--how did it forget them!
Desire and Hope are drowned,
Sea and soul are becalmed.
Seventh Solitude!
Never felt!
Sweet certainty nearer,
Or warmer the sun's ray.
--Glows not the ice of my summit yet?
Silvery, light, a fish
Now my vessel swims out....