The restrained stream

What do you dream as you sleep, youth wrapped,

and hemmed in by the cold banks, patient one!

And are you oblivious of your origin,

you son of the Oceans, friend of Titan?

That blessing, sent by the Father,

know you nothing of the live-giving Air?

And do you not heed the Word, that brightly

from above the ever watchful God sends you?

Ever it sounds, ever in the breast it sounds, it streams,

As, when he still slept in the lap of the rocks,

On he flows, and now he recognizes his strength,

his might, now, now he, the waverer, hurries

now he mocks the shackles, and takes and breaks

and throws and shatters in his fury, playing,

here and there to the resounding shore.

And heeding the call

this son of Gods awakens the mountains 'round,

he moves the forests, he hears the gulf

of the distant herald and shuddering

in joy awakens the bosom of the earth again.

The spring comes; the new green dawns;

He wanders now with immortals;

Because nowhere can he remain, and he

is lifted into the arms of the Father.