Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 312

Speaking or silent, thou canst always know

What is, and ever must be, in my heart.

Doth not remembrance of a common doom,

To soft compassion melt the hardest heart?

How much more mine! in them I see myself.

I trembling kneel'd before the altar once,

And solemnly the shade of early death

Environ'd me. Aloft the knife was rais'd

To pierce my bosom, throbbing with warm life;

A dizzy horror overwhelm'd my soul;

My eyes grew dim; I found myself in safety.

Are we not bound to render the distress'd

The gracious kindness from the gods receiv'd?

Thou know'st we are, and yet wilt thou compel me?