Friedrich Holderlin

It’s not yet

Unbound. And the indifferent don’t careAbout godly matters.Let them puzzle it outWith the Oracle. Meanwhile, during the festivities,I’ll take my ease thinking of the dead.In the old days, many generals diedand lovely women and poets.Today, it’s many men.But I am alone.and sailing on the oceanThe sweetly scented islandsAsk where they are.For something of them remainsIn…

The Neckar

My heart awakened to life in your valleys,Your waves played around me.And all of the fair hills that know you,Wayfarer, are known to me as well.On those peaks the winds from the skyRelieved me from pains of bondage,And silver-blue waves shone forth from the valley,Like the joy of life pouring out from a chalice.Mountain springs…

Where are you? Drunk, my mind becomes

How the enrapturing young god,Tired from his journey,Bathed his youthful hair in the golden clouds.And now my eyes follow after him,But he is gone away to reverentNations which still honor him.I love the earth, which mourns with me.Like children when they are upset, our griefChanges to sleep. And as rustling windsWhisper over harp stringsUntil the…

The holy, familiar hall, built long ago,

Softly echoing, quietly modulating music.A cloud of joy sends fragranceOver the green carpets. Shining in theDistance, a splendid row of gold-wreathedCups stands, well-ordered, full of ripe fruits.Tables stand at the sides, rising aboveThe leveled ground. For now in the eveningLoving guests have gathered, coming from far.And with half-shut eye I think I can seeThe prince…

You too wanted better things, but love

forcefully, but the arc doesn’t return to itspoint of origin without a reason.Upwards or downwards! In holy Night,where mute Nature plans the coming days,doesn’t there reign in the most twisted Orcussomething straight and direct?This I have learned. Never to my knowledgedid you, all-preserving gods, like mortalmasters, lead me providentiallyalong a straight path.The gods say that…