II. Unacknowledged and Uncollected Translations. The Stars

By Martin Opitz

NIGHT comes stealing from the East,

Frees from labor man and beast,

Brings to all the wished-for rest,

And the sorrow to my breast.

Shines the moonlight clear and cold,

Shine the little stars of gold;

Glad are all things far and wide;—

I alone in grief abide.

Two are missing, two in vain

Seek I in the starry train;

And these stars that do not rise

Are my darling’s lovely eyes.

Naught I heed the moonlight clear,

Dim to me the stars appear.

Since is hidden from my sight

Kunigund, my heaven of light.

But when in their splendor shine

Over me those suns divine,

Then it seemeth best to me

Neither moon nor stars should be.