It is a quiet afternoon The bells are humming from afar the brown clock moves on, chim by chime This and that is going through my mind; When I look at the ruins here, It is to me as if above it A smile is hovering, arisen out of deepest sorrow. Like in a dream, they delight at my sight; Since I, too, was surrounded by monastic air; I tear around the horse's reins Much have I suffered, much have I enjoyed. I do not want to be under your spell You songs of memory Yet here, you softly approach me Of a heart, wild and young. Of a heart, full of monastic piety; Transformed, and of swift eagle's flight The heart sanke, the light went out The wretched world of deceit is laughing Thus I have turned inward In these bleak monastic remains;- Silent and confused, I am sitting here.