O spring, O long-
Awaited one!
You will return,
Come back again!

The joyful singing,
Welcoming,
Of water-brooks
Be heard again,

The grove will waken,
And with song
In green leaf clothe
Itself again,

The woods resound
With whistling birds,
The meadow wear
New grass again,

And from the south
With levin-light
The stormcloud press
Its way again.

And the first thunder,
Music-like,
Mysterious
Roll forth again,

And all the earth
Will shake again,
With rain will wash
Itself again,

In nature all
Be born again,
And youth to it
Return again,

But thou wilt not
Return again,
Return again
To me, sweet youth!

O spring, O long-
Awaited one!
You will return,
Return again!

Translated by Vera Rich