(He throws himself flat on the ground.

O night, my mother!

Crush me or close my eyes with earth!

Mother, why have you cleft through the midst the skin of my eyelid! Mother, I am alone! Mother, why do you force me to live!

Far better it would be for me if to-morrow the dewy earth in the East should not be reddened by the dawn! O night, you seem very beautiful!

I cannot do it! Comfort me, your child!

And you, O Earth, look how I lie on your breast!

O sheltering night, earth! earth!

(He faints.