Of sleeping night the trembling,

Of life the mice-like running-about, -

Why disturbing me art thou?

What art thou, O tedious whisper?

The reproaches, or the murmur

Of the day by me misspent?

What from me wilt thou have?

Art thou calling or prophesying?

Thee I wish to understand,

Thy tongue obscure I study now.

1830.

QUESTIONINGS.

USELESS gift, accidental gift,

Life, why given art thou me?

Or, why by fate mysterious

To torture art thou doomed?

Who with hostile power me

Out has called from the nought?

Who my soul with passion thrilled,

Who my spirit with doubt has filled?...

Goal before me there is none,

My heart is hollow, vain my mind

And with sadness wearies me

Noisy life's monotony.

1828.

CONSOLATION.

LIFE, - does it disappoint thee?

Grieve not, nor be angry thou!

In days of sorrow gentle be:

Come shall, believe, the joyful day.

In the future lives the heart:

Is the present sad indeed?

'T is but a moment, all will pass;

Once in the past, it shall be dear.

1825.

FRIENDSHIP.

THUS it ever was and ever will be,

Such of old is the world wide: