An Artist's Evening Song (1775)

 

 

To have creation's inmost power

Resounding through my mind!

A shape of things, in vivid flower,

Issue from my hand!

 

My touch uncertain, stammering speech,

But new resolve beget;

I feel, I know you, in my reach,

Nature, I'll have you yet.

 

Still, down the years my mind has shed

Some of its trammelings;

Where once all parched a heathland spread

Flow now delightful springs;

 

Nature, that thought, and then I long

Truly to feel you near;

Your thousand flutes I'll be among,

Your fountain I shall hear;

 

Lift to the light you surely will

All faculties of mine,

Out of this straitened life distil

A sense defeating time.

 

 

Translated by Christopher Middleton