So truly loves a friend his friend
As I love thee, O Life in mystery hidden!
If joy or grief to me thou send;
If loud I laugh or else to weep am bidden,
Yet love I thee with all thy changeful faces;
And shouldst thou doom me to depart,
So would I tear myself from thy embraces,
As comrade from a comrade’s heart.
And in conclusion:
And if thou hast now left no bliss to crown me,