Literal:

Some in deep thought spirit seek
Some lost in awe, of doubt reek
I fear the voice, hidden but not weak
Cry out "awake! Both ways are oblique."

OR

Some are thoughtful on their way
Some are doubtful, so they pray.
I hear the hidden voice that may
Shout, "Both  paths lead astray."

Meaning:

Some always seek the rational mind
Some will appeal to faith that’s blind
If you turn within, you’ll surely find
Both paths will lead further behind. 

OR

Some are in endless pursuit
Some seek the forbidden fruit
I fear the voice that is mute
Cry out, "path ain’t fruit nor root!"

Fitzgerald:

Alike for those who for TO-DAY prepare,
And those that after a TO-MORROW stare,
A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries
"Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There."

German:

Viele Menschen grübeln über Glauben und Sitte,
Zwischen Zweifel und Gewissheit stehn viele in der Mitte.
Unversehens ruft Einer aus dem Hinterhalt her:
Ihr Thoren, der rechte Weg ist nicht dieser noch der!

Literal:

Like God, if this world I could control
Eliminating the world would be my role
I would create the world anew, whole
Such that the free soul would attain desired goal.

Meaning:

The tyranny of fate is such
Whether we try little or much
Our desires we’ll only touch
With the help of faith’s crutch.

Fitzgerald:

Ah, Love! could thou and I with Fate conspire
To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire!
Would not we shatter it to bits-and then
Re-mould it nearer to the Heart's Desire!

Könnt ich walten wie Gott im Himmelzelt
Ich hätt'es schön längst auf den Kopf gestellt,
Um ein anderes zu bauen, wie ich es verstehe,
Welches ganz nach den Wünschen der Menschen sich drehe.

Literal:

This cup was made by the Wise Lord
With love & care to the heights soared
The potter who shaped with such accord
To make and break the same clay, can also afford.

Meaning:

The wisdom that shapes our clay
Does so in a caring, loving way
Wisdom, care and love will stay
The clay is toy to shape and play.

Fitzgerald:

So will ich berauscht sein von geistiger Labe,
Daß der Wohlgeruch mich überlebt im Grabe,
Und nur Halbberauschte an meiner Gruft
Ganz trunken hinsinken, berauscht vom Duft.

Literal:

Signs of destiny have always been
Those hands inscribed both good and mean
What was written, came from the unseen
Though we tried without and worried within.

Meaning:

One is great
Who faces fate
Before it’s late,
Appreciate
The destined state
No matter how much we debate
Oppose, engage, or calculate
Even try to accelerate
Fate only moves at its own rate.
Futile is worry, anger and hate
Joy is the only worthy mate.

Fitzgerald:

O Herz, da die Welt nichts als Schatten und Schein
Warum quälst Du Dich ab in unendlicher Pein?
Mit ruhigem Sinn geh‘ dem Schicksal entgegen
Und glaub nicht, es ändere sich Deinetwegen!

Literal:

At all times, merrily try
To drink wine and in song cry
Millions of kings in silence lie
From coming of January and passing of July.

Meaning:

Passing of years
Silently bears;
The one who dares
Joyously cares.

Fitzgerald:

Wie lange willst Du noch leben,
        In selbstvergötterndem Streben, Streben
Im Wahn, es müße Deine Pflicht sein, und Nichtsein?
        Den Grund zu suchen von Sein und Nichtsein?
Trink Wein! Ein Leben das eilt zum Tod,
        Folgt nur dem einen klugen Gebot,
Sich glücklich bis an's Ende zu bringen.
        Mit Wein und sonstigen guten Dingen.

Literal:

When the clay into a cup is molded
Its breaking, the drunk scolded;
Many limbs and heads are enfolded
Through whose love unfolded, by which decree folded?

Meaning:

The genius that shapes the form
Is far above mundane and norm
Clay into life shall transform
Back into dust by death’s storm.

Fitzgerald:

Literal:

Good and evil, our moral prison,
Joy and sorrow passing like season,
Fate in the way of logic and reason
Is the victim of far worse treason.

Meaning:

Joy and sorrow in duality
Good and evil in morality
Are frailties of humanity;
Yet more pronounced is reality.

Fitzgerald:

Literal:

Lover of drunk and the outcast
Better than pious prayer and fast
Thou art the first and art the last
Caress if thou wilt, if thou wilt blast.

Meaning:

I’d rather be compassionate
Than piously destroy and hate
God is loving, God is great
God my destroyer and God my mate.

Fitzgerald:

Literal:

When the Maker formed nature
Why imperfect was the venture
If it is good, why departure
And if bad, why form capture?

Meaning:

When the Creator forged the shape
Why was mankind a mere ape?
If it were good, why cloak and cape?
If unsightly, why this rape?

Fitzgerald: