He, too, sang the moon; but Klopstock's influence seems to have carried him to higher flights than his contemporaries. He wrote in fine language of wild scenery, even sea and mountains, which had played no part in German poetry before.

TO THE SEA

Thou boundless, shining, glorious sea,

With ecstasy I gaze on thee;

Joy, joy to him whose early beam

Kisses thy lip, bright ocean stream.

Thanks for the thousand hours, old sea,

Of sweet communion held with thee;

Oft as I gazed, thy billowy roll

Woke the deep feelings of my soul.