If I drew breath in hope as sweetly as a child
And if I were but still by that fair faith beguiled,
Which tells us that the soul survives mortality
And bears on mind and love through all eternity,
I swear! long since would I have cast off this false life,
This monstrous idol, left this world of strife
To test the utmost bounds of freedom and delight,
Beyond all death, beyond the oppressive might
Of prejudice, to where pure thought shines ever free.
In vain, though, I indulge seductive fantasy.
My mind will not believe, is stubborn, wants to live.
In fear of nothingness, I step back from the grave.
What! Nothing? - neither thought, nor first love's joy and pain?
In horror I recoil. To sad life turn again
And wish that life full long, so that I - hidden deep -
Aflame in my sad soul your image dear might keep.