| Margarete Münsterberg, ed., trans. A Harvest of German Verse. 1916. | | | | Ah, When He Is Mine | | By Novalis (Pseud. for Friedrich von Hardenberg) (1772–1801) |
| | | AH, when He is mine, | |
| When I hold Him fast, | |
| When His loyalty divine | |
| Fills my heart unto the last— | |
| I feel no distress, | 5 |
| Only worship, love and happiness. | |
| |
| Ah, when He is mine, | |
| Gladly I leave all, | |
| Rise and wander at His sign, | |
| Faithful to my Master’s call. | 10 |
| Let the others go | |
| On the broad and lighted roads they know. | |
| |
| Ah, when He is mine, | |
| I can sleep in calm, | |
| Ever cheering me like wine | 15 |
| Is His heart’s sweet healing balm, | |
| Holding us in thrall, | |
| Gently soothing, penetrating all. | |
| |
| Ah, when He is mine, | |
| Then the world’s mine, too; | 20 |
| As a seraph at her shrine | |
| Holds the Virgin’s veil of blue— | |
| Blissful, I adore, | |
| Earthly things can frighten me no more. | |
| |
| Ah, where He is mine, | 25 |
| Is my fatherland; | |
| Like my share, each gift divine | |
| Gently falls into my hand. | |
| Friends who went astray | |
| Now I find disciples on His way. | 30 | | | |
|
|
