Die Jugend
Youth
Sechs Hölderlin Fragmente Six Hölderlin Fragments
Hölderlin
When I was a boy
A god would rescue me
From scolding, beating people
And I played happily and safe
With the flowers of the field
While heavenly breezes
Played with me.
And as you delight
The hearts of flowers
When their gentle arms
Stretch out towards you,
So you, Father Helios,
Warmed my heart,
and I, like Endymion,
Sacred Luna, was your darling.
Ah, you faithful,
Friendly gods!
You should know
How much my soul did love you!
I grew up to the sound
Of whispering trees,
Learned love among the flowers
And grew to manhood in the arms of gods.
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