Annette Freün von Droste-Hülshoff (1797–1848)

WHEN I am gone, brook no complaining,

Beloved, shed no tears, I pray!

Where I shall dwell, there peace is reigning,

There shines an everlasting day.

Where earth’s great misery is vanished,

Your images shall never fade;

I’ll pray that all your pain be banished,

That balm upon your wounds be laid.

At night, when heavenly peace is flying

Above the world that sorrow mars,

Ah, think not of my grave with sighing!

For then I greet you from the stars.