Fireflies 137 - 144 [German translation]

137

Love remains a secret even when spoken,

for only a lover truly knows that he is loved.

138

History slowly smothers its truth,

but hastily struggles to revive it

in the terrible penance of pain.

139

My work is rewarded in daily wages,

I wait for my final value in love.

140

Beauty knows to say, "Enough,"

barbarism clamours for still more.

141

God loves to see in me, not his servant,

but himself who serves all.

142

The darkness of night is in harmony with day,

the morning of mist is discordant.

143

In the bounteous time of roses love is wine,—

it is food in the famished hour

when their petals are shed.

144

An unknown flower in a strange land

speaks to the poet:

"Are we not of the same soil, my lover?"