This unfamiliar landscape, and this seat, A cottage and a wood in front of me! Are they familiar? Urgently they claim Familiarity; yet thy do lie Upon my nature, like some heavy weight. They seem like real things. But no; all this Is but a picture of soul substance spun. I know how pictures such as these are made Out of the thirst and longing of the soul. As if awaking from my craving's dream From out the spirit-ocean I have come-- And memory, dread and shuddering shape, appears To bring to mind these longings of my soul. How burnt my thirst to know the world's design! This longing vain, of self-denial born, Consumed my nature to its very roots. Sought I existence with impetuous will, Then all the world's design did flee from me. A moment, of eternity methinks, Poured out such storms of suffering on my soul As only can be felt in life's full course. Between me and this craving fear there stood That which had brought this fear to life in me. I felt myself embrace the universe And all my personality was lost.... But no, it was not I who felt like this, It was another being sprung from me. I saw mankind and all its works evolve From cosmic thoughts which rushing fast through Space, Pressed on in eagerness to be revealed. They drew the picture of a living world In all its detail spread before my gaze. From my soul-substance did they draw the power With which to fashion Being out of Thought. And as this world condensed before mine eyes, My personal sense of feeling passed from me. And words resounded from this picture-world, Thinking themselves; and thrust themselves on me. From out life's needs they brought to being things, And gifted them with power from deeds of good. Thus they resounded through the breadths of Space: 'O man know thou thyself within thy world.' Then saw I one who stood in front of me And, showing me his soul, displayed mine own. And then the cosmic words went on to say: 'So long as in the circle of thy life Thou canst not feel this being close entwined, Thou art a dream, and dost but dream thy life.' I could not think in figures clear and plain; I did but see bewildering forces press From thought to life, and from life back to thought-- But if my spirit seeks yet further back And recollects what I beheld before, A living picture stands before my soul, Which is not blurred, as was all else that I In later moments could experience, But which more plainly sets before my soul Men's lives and actions with each detail clear. I gaze upon this picture, and can tell What men these are, and what it is they do; I recognize each soul I look upon, Although their bodies' shapes are not the same. I look upon all this as though myself Were then a person living in this world;