Sweden's Laureate: Selected Poems of Verner von Heidenstam/My Life
MY LIFE.
Glide on, my life! I love thee not so muchThat I would set thine hours with busy careIn a shop-window for a common show.I never say: "Come, press the master handThat lures to birth such wondrous lovely flowers!"
When I have been betrayed by trusted friendsAnd heavy fortune follows in my path,I do not bear with me a silver cupOf tears and say to him who passes by:"Oh, lay thine arm about my neck and weep,And pity me, and let us both lament!"
O thou wide world, my greatest griefIs but the shadow of a cloud.I go in silence to my grave.