1. IN THE AUTUMN

Somber is the autumn, and when the leaves fall,
So does the heart sink into dreary woe.
Silent is the meadow, and to the south have flown
Silently the songbirds, as if to the grave.

Pale is the day, and wan the clouds veil
The sun as they veil the heart.
Night comes early, for all work comes to a halt
And existence itself rests in profound secrecy.


2. RAIN SONG

Pour rain, pour down,
Awaken me again, in those dreams.
That I dreamt, in childhood,
When the wetness, foamed in the sand.

When the dull, summer sultriness,
Struggled casually, against the fresh coolness.
And the pale leaves, dripped with dew,
And the crops were dyed, a deeper blue.

What bliss to stand in the downpour,
With naked feet,
To reach into the grass,
And touch the foam with one's hands!

Or upon hot cheeks,
To catch the cold drops,
And with the newly awakened fragrances,
To air one's childish breast!

Like the flowers' chalices, which trickle there,
The soul breathes openly,
Like the flowers, drunk with fragrance,
Drowning in the dew, of the heavens.

Every trembling drop cooled,
Down to the heart's very beating,
And creation's holy web,
Pierced into my hidden life.

Pour rain, pour down,
Awaken the old songs,
That we used to sing in the doorway,
When the raindrops pattered outside!

I would like to listen to it again,
That sweet, moist rushing,
My soul gently bedewed,
With holy, childlike awe.


3. FORSAKEN (EXILED)

When I think of this, my plight
Since he has, betrayed me
Each one thinks, he has the right
Scoffing, to upbraid me

In the church, among the crowd
There I dare, not linger
Hear the passing, thunder loud
See them point the finger


4. THE AENEID

Your counsel all is urged in vain
To Earth and Heaven I will complain
To Earth and Heaven why do I call
As Earth and Heaven conspired my fall

To Fate I sue, of other means bereft
The only refuge for the wretched left
But Death, I cannot shun
Death must come when he is gone
Let her forsaken die

Thy hand of darkness shades me
On thy soul let me rest
More I would, but death invades me
It is now a welcome guest

When I am laid in earth
May thy wrongs create
No trouble in thy breast
Remember me, but forget my fate
If longer you delay

Was all that pomp of woe for this prepar'd;
These fires, this fun'ral pile, these altars rear'd?
Thy summon'd sister, and thy friend, had come;
One sword had serv'd us both, one common tomb

And in her arms the queen embrac'd;
Her temples chaf'd; and garments torn,
To stanch the streaming blood, and cleanse the gore.
Thrice Dido tried to raise her drooping head,

And, fainting thrice, she fell on the bed;
Opened her eyes, and sought the light,
Having found it, sicken'd at the sight,
And closed her lids at last endless night.