23. Wait Awhile!

Because my lightnings are so striking, You think that I can’t thunder too! You’re wrong, for I’ve a special liking For thunder, as I’ll prove to you.

This will be seen with awful clearness When the right moment is at hand; You’ll hear my voice in startling nearness,-- The word of thunder and command.

The raging storm will surely shiver Full many an oak upon that day; Each palace to its base shall quiver, And many a steeple proud give way.

24. NIGHT THOUGHTS.

When, Germany, I think of thee At night, all slumber flies from me; I cannot close mine eyes for yearning, And down my cheeks run tears all burning.

How swiftly speeds each rolling year! Since I have seen my mother dear Twelve years have pass’d away; the longer I wait, my yearning grows the stronger.

My yearning’s growing evermore; That woman has bewitch’d me sore! Dear, dear old woman! with what fervour I think of her! may God preserve her!

The dear old thing in me delights, And in the letters that she writes I see how much her hand is shaking,-- Her mother’s heart, how nearly breaking!

My mother’s ever in my mind; Twelve long long years are left behind, Twelve years have follow’d on each other Since to my heart I clasp’d my mother.

For ages Germany will stand; Sound to the core is that dear land! Its oaks and lindens I shall ever Find just the same, they alter never.

For Germany I less should care If my dear mother were not there; My fatherland will never perish But she may die, whom most I cherish.

Since I my native land saw last, Into the tomb have many pass’d Whom I so loved--When of them thinking How sadly bleeds my spirit sinking!

I needs must count them,--as I count My sorrows higher, higher mount; I feel as though each corpse were lying Upon my breast--Thank God, they’re flying!

Thank God! for through the window-pane France’s clear daylight breaks again; My fair wife enters, sweetly smiling, And all my German cares beguiling!