By the sea, by the desolate nocturnal sea, Stands a youthful man, His breast full of sadness, his head full of doubt. And with bitter lips he questions the waves: "Oh solve me the riddle of life! The cruel, world-old riddle, Concerning which, already many a head hath been racked. Heads in hieroglyphic-hats, Heads in turbans and in black caps, Periwigged heads, and a thousand other Poor, sweating human heads. Tell me, what signifies man? Whence does he come? whither does he go? Who dwells yonder above the golden stars?" The waves murmur their eternal murmur, The winds blow, the clouds flow past. Cold and indifferent twinkle the stars, And a fool awaits an answer. IX. SEA-SICKNESS. The gray afternoon clouds Drop lower over the sea, Which darkly riseth to meet them, And between them both fares the ship. Sea-sick I still sit by the mast And all by myself indulge in meditation, Those world-old ashen-gray meditations, Which erst our father Lot entertained, When he had enjoyed too much of a good thing, And afterward suffered such inconvenience. Meanwhile I think also of old stories; How pilgrims with the cross on their breast in days of yore, On their stormy voyages, devoutly kissed The consoling image of the blessed Virgin. How sick knights in such ocean-trials, Pressed to their lips with equal comfort The dear glove of their lady. But I sit and chew in vexation An old herring, my salty comforter, Midst caterwauling and dogged tribulation. Meanwhile the ship wrestles With the wild billowy tide. Like a rearing war-horse she stands erect, Upon her stern, till the helm cracks. Now crashes she headforemost downward once more Into the howling abyss of waters, Then again, as if recklessly love-languid, She tries to recline On the black bosom of the gigantic waves, Which powerfully seethe upward, And immediately a chaotic ocean-cataract Plunges down in crisp-curling whiteness, And covers me with foam. This shaking and swinging and tossing Is unendurable! Vainly mine eye peers forth and seeks The German coast. But alas! only water, And everywhere water--turbulent water!