Poems of Friedrich Hölderlin

The Rhine - 5

Then humans and gods
And all living beings will celebrate
The bridal feast, and for awhile
Fate is held in balance.
Fugitives will look for shelter,
And the brave will seek sweet sleep.
Lovers will be as they’ve been:
They’re at home where the flower
Delights in harmless fire,
And the spirit whispers
Through the dark trees,
Where intractable persons  
Are transformed and hurry
To extend their hands
Before the friendly light 
Subsides and night arrives.

This hurries quickly past for some,
Others hold on to it longer.
The eternal gods are always full of life,
But a man can experience the highest
By keeping the best things in memory
Until he dies. Everyone has
His own measure.  It's hard
To bear misfortune, but
Bearing fortune is harder.
A wise person was able to do it
From noon till midnight,
And to stay alert at the banquet
Till morning shone forth.

God may appear to you,
My Sinclair, on a hot path
Under the pines, or in a forest
Of dark oaks wrapped in steel,*
Or in the clouds.  There you'll
Know him, since you know
The power of the good,
And the Lord's smile is
Never hidden from you,
Not in the daytime, when life
Appears feverish and shackled,
Or at night, when all is
Confused and incoherent,
And ancient madness returns.