I rose, broke free of all that bound me; 

“Where would you go?” “A world I'd find me!” 
“Are there not here lush meadows gay, 
Below —the seas, above — star-play>?” 


“Know, fool, I seek not to cross over, 

There to strike rock, or sound the Aether. 
They bind so dumb the foot in pain, 
Their words of love become a chain. 


“The world must rise out of myself 

And to my breast incline itself. 
From my life’s blood its well-springs come, 
My soul’s breath —its aethereal dome.” 


I wandered far as I could go, 
Returned, held worlds above, below. 
Within there leaped the stars and sun; 
The lightning flashed, and they sank down.