To the Sun God

Friedrich Holderlin

Where are you?  Drunk, my mind becomes
     Twilight after all your ecstasy.  For I just saw
          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 reverent
               Nations which still honor him.

I love the earth, which mourns with me.
       Like children when they are upset, our grief
               Changes to sleep.  And as rustling winds
                       Whisper over harp strings

Until the fingers of a master entice
       A prettier music, thus mist and dreams
                Play around us, until the beloved returns,
                        And charges us with life and spirit.

Human Applause
 

Isn't my heart holy, more full of life's beauty,
    since I fell in love?  Why did you like me more
        when I was prouder and wilder, more full
              of words, yet emptier?
 
Well, the crowd likes whatever sells in the
     marketplace;  and no one but a slave
          appreciates violent men.  Only those who
               are themselves godlike believe in the gods.