Page:Masterpieces of German literature volume 18.djvu/388

 316 My heart was quickened and it beat again,

And ever through the void all pale and still

I was drawn onward by an unknown will,—

Behind me crept that endless gloomy train.

How long a time elapsed, I did not know.

At times the darkness fainter seemed to grow—

The gloom that hung about on every hand—

And on the hard and livid waves of sand

Something arose quite near that seemed like land—

Within our grasp! And then again it faded.

The ugly brood that lurks within the deep

Pursued us lazily. Then faint and jaded,

Lost in the mighty void, we cannot keep

Our courage, stifled all our hopes must cease—

No morning dawns! Ah, there is no release!

Wherefore this torment?

Worn out, beneath the everlasting shade.

Where art Thou, God? I cried, but no sound made.—

—Now, now: a point! A sudden glimmer bright!

A crevice burst—a flood of light was gleaming.

The earth and sky with golden glow were streaming!—

Salvation! Hail! A rushing for the light!

I hurled the woman up unto the strand

And staggered, with my last force crying: Land!

Here, mate! My glass is empty. Fill it, lad!

What next? Why nothing. I can tell no more.

I only know—the night was very bad—

They found me lying on the Scottish shore.

My ship? The wreck? God knows where that had stranded.

All those who in the night with me had landed

Were dead and cold. They've found a resting-place:

A bit of earth, a cross. God give them grace!

Sometimes at night when there's a creaking, crashing

And when the whistling winds the yards are thrashing,