I complained to God of my wretched state,And all the nights that bowed me with their weight.
How much I bore of pain that would not cease,How many trials that gave my soul no peace.
How many treacherous maidens I forgave,How many men devoid of feeling's wave.
How long I bore deadening grief's cruel art,Till I nearly stumbled into weariness of heart.
What did my life avail through all of this?Life wasted seeking what I could not kiss!
I complained to God of fortune's cruel blow,And all my past of struggle to and fro.
He said: "To Me—take refuge in My shade;With Me is immortality's parade.
With Me is all your eye has hoped to see,And all your soul has craved of beauty free.
With Me the wishes that your heart has nursed,With Me the bounty you have always thirsted.
With Me your bliss, with Me your art's dear prize—Come, daughter of the Truth, and lift your eyes!
Live here between release and perfection's whole,And leave the earthly world to roam and roll."
Leave thou the earthly world to wander stillIn valleys dark of error's wandering will.
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