My surpassing victory By the death was famous made Of the life, which needs must be Chief of all the past displayed Or the present age can see; Therefrom I achieved as prize Grief within my loving heart, Countless tears within my eyes, In my soul confusion's smart, In my true breast agonies. Cruel hand of him my foe, Hadst thou but my doom fulfilled, I had held thee friend, for, lo! In the slaying thou hadst stilled All the anguish of my woe! What a bitter reckoning Victory brought, for I shall pay-- And I feel it as I sing-- For the pleasure of a day With an age-long suffering! Sea, that hearkenest to my cry, Heaven, that didst my woe ordain, Love, that causest me to sigh, Death, that hast my glory ta'en, End ye now my agony! Sea, my lifeless corse receive, Heaven, to my soul grant thy calm, Love, to fame the tidings give, That death carried off the palm From this life that doth not live! Heaven, Love, and death and sea, Now to aid me linger not, Make an end of ending me, For 'twill be the happiest lot Ye can give and I foresee! If sea doth not drowning give, And Heaven welcome doth deny, If Love must for ever live, And I fear I shall not die, Where can I repose receive?