And now I suck fresh life and blood
From this free world expressed;
How lovely Nature is, how good,
Holding me at her breast!
The deep wave rocks our rowboat’s boards
In measure with the oars,
And mountains clouded heavenwards
Meet with us on our course.
Eyes, my eyes, why are you falling,
All your golden dreams recalling?
Hence, you dreams! For all your gold,
Love and life are here to hold.
On the wave there glimmer
Thousands of hovering stars,
And a blue-mist shimmer
Swallows the mountain-towers;
Winds of dawn are gliding
’Round the shadowy cove,
And in its mirror riding,
Fruit ripens in the grove.
1775