''Death's Delight''

DEATH'S DELIGHT

Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff

Before the swan in waters blue has sunken
He dreams and sings to death, with longing drunken.
The summer-wearied earth, her blossoms going,
Fills full the grapes with her last fiery glowing.
The sun still scatters sparks the while he's sinking,
And gives once more to earth his fire for drinking,
Till, to bring passion's prey her calm wing under,
Star upon star, comes night in all her wonder.

1840


-German title: Todeslust.

(Illustration is Caspar David Friedrich, Swans in the Rushes, 1820.)