I would I might forget that I am I, br And break the heavy chain that binds me fast, br Whose links about myself my deeds have cast. br What in the body's tomb doth buried lie br Is boundless; 'tis the spirit of the sky, br Lord of the future, guardian of the past, br And soon must forth, to know his own at last. br In his large life to live, I fain would die. br Happy the dumb beast, hungering for food, br But calling not his suffering his own; br Blessed the angel, gazing on all good, br But knowing not he sits upon a throne; br Wretched the mortal, pondering his mood, br And doomed to know his aching heart alone.