Night Song

by Stefan George

Clouds so fair
Lay so near;
Toil and labor
Were my share.

Sunlight, May,
Gave their wealth;
Storm and Autumn
Then gave death.

What I thought,
What I did,
What I felt,
What I am:

Like a flame
Lost in smoke;
Like a tune
Lost in wind.

 

Translated from the German by Rudi Matic