1. I see that patience is nearly spent,

    and though so near, I nearly drifted far away.

  2. My heart is on the verge of finding rest,

    and my eyes are on the verge of sleep.

  3. I almost came to live among these people,

    though I have lived among them all alone.

  4. It seems to me that I have squandered

    my youth, my heart, and all my life in vain—

  5. and that with my life and all its means

    I sought from you a Farkad star.

  6. You kept your distance for a long, long time,

    while in us, as before, the echo rang again.

  7. If our phantoms should meet today,

    that would be a meeting strange in its reach:

  8. the realm of fantasy now draws it near,

    while every driver urging onward bears it far away.

  9. It recalls to us every yesterday now gone,

    and every stranger who sang of it.

  10. We are nothing but time itself, which

    assailed among mankind whomever it assailed.

  11. We fashion its image within the heart,

    and despite our frailty, show whatever can be seen.

  12. And so people think us better able to withstand

    the hand of fate than all the plotting of our foes.

  13. But whenever we are left alone with

    our thoughts, we seek refuge in death.

  14. And should some reproacher appear at your door,

    we pass before him bowing and prostrate,

  15. wary lest watching eyes should see us,

    and fearful that even for our misery we might be envied.

  16. So return to me, my love, as I have always known you:

    my lord, forever bringing me joy despite the years.

  17. Leave lamentation and the world of moans,

    for life itself is nearly spent.

  18. My love, extend to one whom

    your passion has worn away some tenderness, and offer your hand—

  19. or mock the memories as you please,

    and I shall go forth in love, its sacrificial ram.

Sol 5.6