I know not from what distant time [German translation]

I know not from what distant time

thou art ever coming nearer to meet me.

Thy sun and stars can never keep thee hidden

from me for aye.

In many a morning and eve

thy footsteps have been heard

and thy messenger has come within my heart

and called me in secret.

I know not only

why today my life is all astir,

and a feeling of tremulous joy

is passing through my heart.

It is as if the time were come

to wind up my work,

and I feel in the air

a faint smell of thy sweet presence.