so let me seem until i become so

so let me seem, until i become so:
do not divest me of my white garment!
i am hastening from the beautiful earth
down to that impregnable house.

there i shall rest a little while in tranquility,
then a fresh vision will open up;
i shall leave behind then the pure raiment,
the girdle and the wreath.
and those heavenly beings
do not concern themselves with man and woman,
and no garments,
no robes,
cover the transfigured body.

true, i have lived without trouble and toil,
yet i have felt deep pain enough.
through sorrow i have aged too early --
o make me forever young again!

-j.w. von goethe
"mignon III: so lasst mich scheinen, bis ich werde" - hugo wolf