Over I journey

by Novalis

English version by George MacDonald
Original Language German

Over I journey
And for each pain
A pleasant sting only
Shall one day remain.
Yet in a few moments
Then free am I,
And intoxicated
In Love's lap lie.
Life everlasting
Lifts, wave-like, at me,
I gaze from its summit
Down after thee.
Your lustre must vanish
Yon mound underneath --
A shadow will bring thee
Thy cooling wreath.
Oh draw at my heart, love,
Draw till I'm gone,
That, fallen asleep, I
Still may love on.
I feel the flow of
Death's youth-giving flood
To balsam and ether
Transform my blood --
I live all the daytime
In faith and in might
And in holy fire
I die every night.

-- from Hymns to the Night: Spiritual Songs, by Novalis / Translated by George MacDonald

| More Poems by Novalis | Next Poem >>


View All Poems by Novalis



Recommended Books: Novalis

News of the Universe: Poems of Twofold Consciousness Hymns to the Night: Spiritual Songs Hymns to the Night Novalis: Philosophical Writings The Novices of Sais



Over I journey