DRACHMANN, Holger


I hear in the night

I hear in the night

From the sleeping forest

A cry: Ah help me

My God!

I listen trembling,

Cannot sleep,

They call me, I hasten

Outside.

I wake in the night

The sleeping forest

With whispering voice:

Who’s there?

In darkness, where all

Is still and silent

Stand sleepily bushes

And trees.

I’m frightened as if

I had dared too much

And call again:

Who’s there?

I listen. From sleep-heavy

Slumbering forests

There comes back the echo:

Who’s there?

I hasten at night

From the quiet forest,

I anxiously think

My God!

I lie still, I listen,

Can sleep no more.

Who am I? And where

Am I bound?