Heaven And The Stars

Brilliant heavens of evening,
  Distant stars clearly shining,
  Bright as the rapture of childhood,
O why dare I send you nevermore greeting--
Stars, who are shining as clear as my joy?
  What is thy sorrow?
  Mortals make question.
  This is my sorrow;
The heavens and the stars are--heaven and stars ever,
I am alas! but a perishing man!
  Forever mortal
  Envies his neighbor;
  I envy rather
Ye in your freedom, ye stars ever radiant,
And only would be in your places!