Translation:The Young Man's Love/XIII

by Ludwig Tieck

13: New Consciousness

Fresh and joyful, my thoughts soar.
I have cast aside all my worries.
With renewed courage I strive.
A new desire has awoken in my breast.

The stars are mirrored in the sea,
And golden gleam the waves.
Staggering, I ran giddily about:
Knew not whether I was coming or going!

But now my doubts and wavering thoughts
Have been stifled.
O bear me, you rocking waves,
To the homeland I have long yearned for.

There, in the loving darkling distance,
The songs of my native land call to me.
From every star
My homeland looks down with gentle eyes.

Make smooth your surface, O faithful wave.
Guide me along distant paths
To the well-beloved threshold,
To my happy fate at last!