A poem by the Danish Romantic poet Schack von Staffeldt

By the lake

– And while all the waves are borne off apace,

I feel as if I there too had my place,

And staring into the image-filled lake,

In some strange longing my parting would take.

From still azure depths me greeting, I spy

A different nature, different sky;

All is ethereal there and ideal,

Like things in their pristine form more real.

My very first I from the purest blue,

My once purer self then whispers anew:

Why did you leave me, just leave me and go?

Oh, how I do love you, I love you so!

How strangely afraid and aching I seem,

My spirit escapes to more than a dream:

There appear to be gods and humans who

Embrace and mingle in depths of pure blue.

From Digte (1804). To see the original, go to here.