Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 487

And, to say truth, as yet with small success.

Oppos'd to naught, this clumsy world,

The something—it subsisteth still;

Not yet is it to ruin hurl'd,

Despite the efforts of my will.

Tempests and earthquakes, fire and flood, I've tried;

Yet land and ocean still unchang'd abide!

And then of humankind and beasts, the accursed brood—

Neither o'er them can I extend my sway.

What countless myriads have I swept away!

Yet ever circulates the fresh young blood.

It is enough to drive me to despair!

As in the earth, in water, and in air,

A thousand germs burst forth spontaneously;

In moisture, drought, heat, cold, they still appear!

Had I not flame selected as my sphere,

Nothing apart had been reserved for me.