The Ultimate Vehicle of Earthly Bliss - 25. Up to his mouth

.

War einer, der Großes noch sprechen kunnt,

Aber zum Mund

Reichte ihm schon das Wasser.

‚Meine Rede, die ist

So schwer wie Gold!

Sie zieht mich zum Grund!

Das mich retten wollt’

Ein Freund!’

Er rief und rief

Und sank – und kam

Noch einmal, ehe die Tiefe ihn nahm.

War einer, der Großes noch sprechen kunnt –

Und sank doch still

In Schweigens Grund. [i]

He was someone who still spoke of great things,

Though the water

Had risen up to his mouth.

‘My talk’s heavy as gold!

Speaking pulls me down

To drown me, when a friend

Could easily save me yet

By his wanting!’

He called and called

He sank – and rose

One final time, before the depths took him.

He was someone who could speak of great things –

But still he sank

In quiet’s depths.