Hus's dungeon
Hans Erich Pfitzner
My end draws near,
my case and the verdict are now
out of the hands of man
and before the throne of God.
Already borne by the clouds,
surrounded by his Host,
the Son of Man stands before me.
This dungeon I will praise,
the dungeon - it is good!
The windowbars, a cross of iron,
looks out upon the fresh waters,
and between its bars
I can see a sail hovering.
Above in the blue, the snow rests.
How near I feel the water,
as if I lay submerged therein,
with wondrous cool
would my body be steeped -
I also see a bunch of grapes
with red leaves
hanging in from the window.
It is time to rejoice!
A great peace draws near!
A flock of herons there turns
toward eternal Spring.
They know paths and bridges,
they know their way -
what, my soul, do you fear?