At the Bruck

Trot briskly without rest,

my good horse, through night and through rain!

Why do you shy at bush and branch

and stumble on the wild paths?

Though the forest stretches deep and dense,

it must finally open up;

and a distant light will greet us kindly

out of the dark valley.

I can fly over mountain and field

on your slender back

and enjoy the world's

colourful vistas.

Many an eye laughs intimately at me,

with peace, love and joy;

and yet I hurry without rest,

back to my grief.

For three days now I have been far away

from her to whom I am eternally bound;

For three days sun and star

and earth and heavens were missing for me.

Of the delight and grief,

that when I was with her, now healed, now tore my heart,

for three days I have only felt the pain,

and oh!, the joy I had to miss!

[So trot bravely through the night!

Although the dark tracks may fade,

the bright eye of yearning still watches,

and sweet foreboding guides me safely.

We see the bird fly far over land and sea

to warm pastures;

How then should love ever

deceive itself in its path?]