Oh sun, queen of the world,
Which brightens our dark sphere
With light majesty;
Sublime miracle of a hand
Which spanned this sky
And strewed stars around!

Today I can still see your glow:
In its flowery garland I see it smiling on me,
Nature is still smiling on me today.
The host of birds with their brightly coloured plumage
Will perhaps no longer sing for me tomorrow
In the woods and out on the fields.

I can feel that I am mortal!
My life is fading away, like grass,
Like a parched leaf.
Who knows how unexpectedly soon
The highest word will call out to me:
'Come back into the dust!'

When the dark grave devours me,
An eternal silence will surround me
Gnawing away at me as I decay:
Then everything will be left behind.
If only fortune had not smiled on me
And denied me nothing I wished for.

O folly, if only I knew myself,
And in accordance with the Earth's favourite conditions,
Craved for the greatest good!
What folly it would be to be tempted by the shimmering clothes of honour
And all the pomp of vanity
Because of base envy!

Did my slightest desire demand too much?
Did I aim for too broad a goal
On an unknown path?
Oh God, I bow before you!
Here I am, let me be treated
As you best advise!

Man, that inflated idiot,
Does he prescribe wisdom for his creator?
To you, the greatest friend of humanity?
You love him more than he loves himself.
When your grace means that you do not always give
Whatever it is that appears necessary to him.

When the dewy morning smiles,
When after the covering of the wings of night
The hours become cooler,
Wisdom speaks to me, full of love:
'Oh mortal, what are you worried about,
And what desires are you casting onto the wind?

He who made you also cares for you!
It is not limited to the Earth,
Heaven's plan.
This life is a moment,
A spring dream that is part of long-lasting happiness:
You are going to be immortal!'

Oh thought of immortality,
Which lifts a noble heart
Above the Earth, the world and time,
Arise in my breast
Whenever the siren call of false desire
Strives to make me small!

Around the head of vice roses
Fade more quickly than we can imagine
Along with any pleasure they offered.
I am a pilgrim in time;
Only joys connected with eternity
Are worth me worrying about.

Oh you who give willingly, give me
A heart that loves only goodness
And that is pure and holy!
Make others great, oh God, I am 
Content and true to my duty, 
I am a wise man and I am a Christian!