Читать книгу The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 06 - Коллектив авторов, Ю. Д. Земенков, Koostaja: Ajakiri New Scientist - Страница 6

  I have been wont to bear my head on high,

    Haughty and stern am I of mood and mien;

    Yea, though a king should gaze on me, I ween,

  I should not at his gaze cast down my eye.

  But I will speak, dear Mother, candidly:

    When most puffed up my haughty mood hath been,

    At thy sweet presence, blissful and serene,

  I feel the shudder of humility.

  Does thy soul all unknown my soul subdue,

  Thy lofty soul that pierces all things through

  And speeds on lightning wings to heaven's blue?

  Or am I racked by what my memories tell

  Of frequent deeds which caused thy heart to swell—

  That beauteous heart which loved me, ah! too well.

  With foolish fancy I deserted thee;

  I fain would search the whole world through to learn

  If in it I perchance could love discern,

  That I might love embrace right lovingly.

  I sought for love as far as eye could see,

  My hands extending at each door in turn,

  Begging them not my prayer for love to spurn—

  Cold hate alone they laughing gave to me.

  And ever search'd I after love; yes, ever

  Search'd after love, but love discover'd never,

  And so I homeward went with troubled thought;

  But thou wert there to welcome me again,

  And, ah, what in thy dear eye floated then

  That was the sweet love I so long had sought.