I know thee as my God and stand apart —
I do not know thee as my own and come closer.
I know thee as my father and bow before thy feet —
I do not grasp thy hand as my friend's.
I stand not where thou comest down and ownest thyself
as mine, there to clasp thee to my heart and take thee
as my comrade.
Thou art the Brother amongst my brothers,
but I heed them not, I divide not my earnings with them,
thus sharing my all with thee.
In pleasure and in pain I stand not by the side of men,
and thus stand by thee. I shrink to give up my life, and thus
do not plunge into the great waters of life.