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diff --git a/8949.txt b/8949.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..815a6df --- /dev/null +++ b/8949.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5253 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rampolli, by George MacDonald + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Rampolli + +Author: George MacDonald + + +Release Date: September, 2005 [EBook #8949] +This file was first posted on August 29, 2003 +Last Updated: April 17, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAMPOLLI *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Charles Bidwell and Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + + + +RAMPOLLI + +By George Macdonald + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATIONS + + TRANSLATIONS-- + FROM NOVALIS + " SCHILLER + " GOETHE + " UHLAND + " HEINE + " VON SALIS-SEEWIS + " CLAUDIUS + FROM THE DUTCH OF GENESTET + FROM THE GERMAN--_Author to me unkown_ + FROM PETRARCH + MILTON'S ITALIAN POEMS + LUTHER'S SONG-BOOK + + A YEAR'S DIARY OF AN OLD SOUL + + + + +PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATIONS. + + +I think every man who can should help his people to inherit the earth by +bringing into his own of the wealth of other tongues. In the flower-pots +of translation I offer these few exotics, with no little labour taught to +exist, I hope to breathe, in English air. Such labour is to me no less +serious than delightful, for to do a man's work, in the process of +carrying over, more injury than must be, is a serious wrong. + +I have endeavoured, first of all, to give the spirit of the poetry. + +Next, I have sought to retain each individual meaning that goes to form +the matter of a poem. + +Third, I have aimed at preserving the peculiar mode, the aroma of the +poet's style, so far as I could do it without offence to the translating +English. + +Fourth, both rhythm and rime being essential elements of every poem in +which they are used, I have sought to respect them rigorously. + +Fifth, spirit, matter, and form truly represented, the more literal the +translation the more satisfactory will be the result. + +After all, translation is but a continuous effort after the impossible. +There is in it a general difficulty whose root has a thousand +ramifications, the whole affair being but an accommodation of +difficulties, and a perfect translation from one language into another is +a thing that cannot be effected. One is tempted even to say that in the +whole range of speech there is no such thing as a synonym. + +Much difficulty arises from the comparative paucity in English of double, +or feminine rimes. But I can remember only one case in which, yielding to +impossibility, I have sacrificed the feminine rime: where one thing or +another must go, the less valuable must be the victom. + +But sometimes a whole passage has had to suffer that a specially poetic +line might retain its character. + +With regard to the _Hymns to the Night_ and the _Spiritual Songs_ of +Friedrich von Hardenberg, commonly called Novalis, it is desirable to +mention that they were written when the shadow of the death of his +betrothed had begun to thin before the approaching dawn of his own new +life. He died in 1801, at the age of twentynine. His parents belonged to +the sect called Moravians, but he had become a Roman Catholic. + +Perhaps some of Luther's Songs might as well have been omitted, but they +are all translated that the Songbook might be a whole. Some, I cannot tell +how many or which, are from the Latin. His work is rugged, and where an +occasional fault in rime occurs I have reproduced it. + +In the few poems from the Italian, I have found the representation of the +feminine rimes, so frequent in that language, an impossibility. + + + + +FROM NOVALIS. + +HYMNS TO THE NIGHT + +SPIRITUAL SONGS + +A PARABLE (From THE DISCIPLES AT SAIS) + + + + +HYMNS TO THE NIGHT. + +I. + +Before all the wondrous shows of the widespread space around him, what +living, sentient thing loves not the all-joyous light, with its colours, +its rays and undulations, its gentle omnipresence in the form of the +wakening Day? The giant world of the unresting constellations inhales it +as the innermost soul of life, and floats dancing in its azure flood; the +sparkling, ever-tranquil stone, the thoughtful, imbibing plant, and the +wild, burning, multiform beast-world inhales it; but more than all, the +lordly stranger with the meaning eyes, the swaying walk, and the sweetly +closed, melodious lips. Like a king over earthly nature, it rouses every +force to countless transformations, binds and unbinds innumerable +alliances, hangs its heavenly form around every earthly substance. Its +presence alone reveals the marvellous splendour of the kingdoms of the +world. + +Aside I turn to the holy, unspeakable, mysterious Night. Afar lies the +world, sunk in a deep grave; waste and lonely is its place. In the chords +of the bosom blows a deep sadness. I am ready to sink away in drops of +dew, and mingle with the ashes.--The distances of memory, the wishes of +youth, the dreams of childhood, the brief joys and vain hopes of a whole +long life, arise in gray garments, like an evening vapour after the +sunset. In other regions the light has pitched its joyous tents: what if +it should never return to its children, who wait for it with the faith of +innocence? + +What springs up all at once so sweetly boding in my heart, and stills the +soft air of sadness? Dost thou also take a pleasure in us, dusky Night? +What holdest thou under thy mantle, that with hidden power affects my +soul? Precious balm drips from thy hand out of its bundle of poppies. Thou +upliftest the heavy-laden pinions of the soul. Darkly and inexpressibly +are we moved: joy-startled, I see a grave countenance that, tender and +worshipful, inclines toward me, and, amid manifold entangled locks, +reveals the youthful loveliness of the Mother. How poor and childish a +thing seems to me now the light! how joyous and welcome the departure of +the day!--Didst thou not only therefore, because the Night turns away from +thee thy servants, strew in the gulfs of space those flashing globes, to +proclaim, in seasons of thy absence, thy omnipotence, and thy return? + +More heavenly than those glittering stars we hold the eternal eyes which +the Night hath opened within us. Farther they see than the palest of those +countless hosts. Needing no aid from the light, they penetrate the depths +of a loving soul that fills a loftier region with bliss ineffable. Glory +to the queen of the world, to the great prophetess of holier worlds, to +the foster-mother of blissful love! she sends thee to me, thou tenderly +beloved, the gracious sun of the Night. Now am I awake, for now am I thine +and mine. Thou hast made me know the Night, and brought her to me to be my +life; thou hast made of me a man. Consume my body with the ardour of my +soul, that I, turned to finer air, may mingle more closely with thee, and +then our bridal night endure for ever. + + +II. + +Must the morning always return? Will the despotism of the earthly never +cease? Unholy activity consumes the angel-visit of the Night. Will the +time never come when Love's hidden sacrifice shall burn eternally? To the +Light a season was set; but everlasting and boundless is the dominion of +the Night. Endless is the duration of sleep. Holy Sleep, gladden not too +seldom in this earthly day-labour, the devoted servant of the Night. Fools +alone mistake thee, knowing nought of sleep but the shadow which, in the +gloaming of the real night, thou pitifully castest over us. They feel thee +not in the golden flood of the grapes, in the magic oil of the almond +tree, and the brown juice of the poppy. They know not that it is thou who +hauntest the bosom of the tender maiden, and makest a heaven of her lap; +never suspect it is thou, the portress of heaven, that steppest to meet +them out of ancient stories, bearing the key to the dwellings of the +blessed, silent messenger of secrets infinite. + + +III. + +Once when I was shedding bitter tears, when, dissolved in pain, my hope +was melting away, and I stood alone by the barren hillock which in its +narrow dark bosom hid the vanished form of my Life, lonely as never yet +was lonely man, driven by anguish unspeakable, powerless, and no longer +aught but a conscious misery;--as there I looked about me for help, unable +to go on or to turn back, and clung to the fleeting, extinguished life +with an endless longing: then, out of the blue distances, from the hills +of my ancient bliss, came a shiver of twilight, and at once snapped the +bond of birth, the fetter of the Light. Away fled the glory of the world, +and with it my mourning; the sadness flowed together into a new, +unfathomable world. Thou, soul of the Night, heavenly Slumber, didst come +upon me; the region gently upheaved itself, and over it hovered my +unbound, new-born spirit. The hillock became a cloud of dust, and through +the cloud I saw the glorified face of my beloved. In her eyes eternity +reposed. I laid hold of her hands, and the tears became a sparkling chain +that could not be broken. Into the distance swept by, like a tempest, +thousands of years. On her neck I welcomed the new life with ecstatic +tears. Never was such another dream; then first and ever since I hold fast +an eternal, unchangeable faith in the heaven of the Night, and its sun, +the Beloved. + + +IV. + +Now I know when will come the last morning: when the light no more scares +away the Night and Love, when sleep shall be without waking, and but one +continuous dream. I feel in me a celestial exhaustion. Long and weariful +was my pilgrimage to the holy grave, and crushing was the cross. The +crystal wave, which, imperceptible to the ordinary sense, springs in the +dark bosom of the hillock against whoose foot breaks the flood of the +world, he who has tasted it, he who has stood on the mountain frontier of +the world, and looked across into the new land, into the abode of the +Night, verily he turns not again into the tumult of the world, into the +land where dwells the Light in ceaseless unrest. + +On those heights he builds for himself tabernacles--tabernacles of peace; +there longs and loves and gazes across, until the welcomest of all hours +draws him down into the waters of the spring. Afloat above remains what is +earthly, and is swept back in storms; but what became holy by the touch of +Love, runs free through hidden ways to the region beyond, where, like +odours, it mingles with love asleep. Still wakest thou, cheerful Light, +the weary man to his labour, and into me pourest gladsome life; but thou +wilest me not away from Memory's mossgrown monument. Gladly will I bestir +the deedy hands, everywhere behold where thou hast need of me; bepraise +the rich pomp of thy splendour; pursue unwearied the lovely harmonies of +thy skilled handicraft; gladly contemplate the thoughtful pace of thy +mighty, radiant clock; explore the balance of the forces and the laws of +the wondrous play of countless worlds and their seasons; but true to the +Night remains my secret heart, and to creative Love, her daughter. Canst +_thou_ show me a heart eternally true? Has thy sun friendly eyes that know +me? Do thy stars lay hold of my longing hand? Do they return me the tender +pressure and the caressing word? Was it thou didst bedeck them with +colours and a flickering outline? Or was it _she_ who gave to thy jewels a +higher, a dearer significance? What delight, what pleasure offers _thy_ +life, to outweigh the transports of Death? Wears not everything that +inspirits us the livery of the Night? Thy mother, it is she who brings +thee forth, and to her thou owest all thy glory. Thou wouldst vanish into +thyself, thou wouldst dissipate in boundless space, if she did not hold +thee fast, if she swaddled thee not, so that thou grewest warm, and, +flaming, gavest birth to the universe. Verily I was before thou wast; the +mother sent me with my sisters to inhabit thy world, to sanctify it with +love that it might be an ever present memorial, to plant it with flowers +unfading. As yet they have not ripened, these thoughts divine; as yet is +there small trace of our coming apocalypse. One day thy clock will point +to the end of Time, and then thou shalt be as one of us, and shalt, full +of ardent longing, be extinguished and die. I feel in me the close of thy +activity, I taste heavenly freedom, and happy restoration. With wild pangs +I recognize thy distance from our home, thy feud with the ancient lordly +Heaven. Thy rage and thy raving are in vain. Inconsumable stands the +cross, victory-flag of our race. + + Over I pilgrim + Where every pain + Zest only of pleasure + Shall one day remain. + Yet a few moments + Then free am I, + And intoxicated + In Love's lap lie. + Life everlasting + Lifts, wave-like, at me: + I gaze from its summit + Down after thee. + Oh Sun, thou must vanish + Yon hillock beneath; + A shadow will bring thee + Thy cooling wreath. + Oh draw at my heart, love, + Draw till I'm gone; + That, fallen asleep, I + Still may love on! + I feel the flow of + Death's youth-giving flood; + To balsam and aether, it + Changes my blood! + I live all the daytime + In faith and in might: + In holy rapture + I die every night. + + +V. + +In ancient times an iron Fate lorded it, with dumb force, over the +widespread families of men. A gloomy oppression swathed their anxious +souls: the Earth was boundless, the abode of the gods and their home. From +eternal ages stood its mysterious structure. Beyond the red hills of the +morning, in the sacred bosom of the sea, dwelt the sun, the +all-enkindling, live luminary. An aged giant upbore the happy world. +Prisoned beneath mountains lay the first-born sons of mother Earth, +helpless in their destroying fury against the new, glorious race of gods, +and their kindred, glad-hearted men. Ocean's dusky, green abyss was the +lap of a goddess. In the crystal grottoes revelled a wanton folk. Rivers, +trees, flowers, and beasts had human wits. Sweeter tasted the wine, poured +out by youth impersonated; a god was in the grape-clusters; a loving, +motherly goddess upgrew in the full golden sheaves; love's sacred carousal +was a sweet worship of the fairest of the goddesses. Life revelled through +the centuries like one spring-time, an ever-variegated festival of the +children of heaven and the dwellers on the earth. All races childlike +adored the ethereal, thousandfold flame, as the one sublimest thing in the +world. + +It was but a fancy, a horrible dream-shape-- + + That fearsome to the merry tables strode, + And wrapt the spirit in wild consternation. + The gods themselves here counsel knew nor showed + To fill the stifling heart with consolation. + Mysterious was the monster's pathless road, + Whoose rage would heed no prayer and no oblation; + Twas Death who broke the banquet up with fears, + With anguish, with dire pain, and bitter tears. + + Eternally from all things here disparted + That sway the heart with pleasure's joyous flow, + Divided from the loved, whom, broken-hearted, + Vain longing tosses and unceasing woe-- + In a dull dream to struggle, faint and thwarted, + Smeemed all was granted to the dead below! + Broke lay the merry wave of human glory + On Death's inevitable promontory. + + With daring flight, aloft Thought's pinions sweep; + The horrid thing with beauty's robe men cover: + A gentle youth puts out his torch, to sleep; + Sweet comes the end, like moaning lute of lover. + Cool shadow-floods o'er melting memory creep: + So sang the song, for Misery was the mover. + Still undeciphered lay the endless Night-- + The solemn symbol of a far-off Might. + +The old world began to decline. The pleasure-garden of the young race +withered away; up into opener regions and desolate, forsaking his +childhood, struggled the growing man. The gods vanished with their +retinue. Nature stood alone and lifeless. Dry Number and rigid Measure +bound her with iron chains. As into dust and air the priceless blossoms of +life fell away in words obscure. Gone was wonder-working Faith, and the +all-transforming, all-uniting angel-comrade, the Imagination. A cold north +wind blew unkindly over the torpid plain, and the wonderland first froze, +then evaporated into aether. The far depths of heaven filled with flashing +worlds. Into the deeper sanctuary, into the more exalted region of the +mind, the soul of the world retired with all her powers, there to rule +until the dawn should break of the glory universal. No longer was the +Light the abode of the gods, and the heavenly token of their presence: +they cast over them the veil of the Night. The Night became the mighty +womb of revelations; into it the gods went back, and fell asleep, to go +abroad in new and more glorious shapes over the transfigured world. Among +the people which, untimely ripe, was become of all the most scornful and +insolently hostile to the blessed innocence of youth, appeared the New +World, in guise never seen before, in the song-favouring hut of poverty, a +son of the first maid and mother, the eternal fruit of mysterious embrace. +The forseeing, rich-blossoming wisdom of the East at once recognized the +beginning of the new age; a star showed it the way to the lowly cradle of +the king. In the name of the far-reaching future, they did him homage with +lustre ond odour, the highest wonders of Nature. In solitude the heavenly +heart unfolded itself to a flower-chalice of almighty love, upturned to +the supreme face of the father, and resting on the bliss-boding bosom of +the sweetly solemn mother. With deifying fervour the prophetic eye of the +blooming child beheld the years to come, foresaw, untroubled over the +earthly lot of his own days, the beloved offspring of his divine stem. Ere +long the most childlike souls, by true love marvellously possessed, +gathered about him. Like flowers sprang up a new strange life in his +presence. Words inexhaustible and tidings the most joyful fell like sparks +of a divine spirit from his friendly lips. From a far shore came a singer, +born under the clear sky of Hellas, to Palestine, and gave up his whole +heart to the marvellous child:-- + + The youth art thou who ages long hast stood + Upon our graves, lost in a maze of weening; + Sign in the darkness of God's tidings good, + Whence hints of growth humanity is gleaning; + For that we long, on that we sweetly brood + Which erst in woe had lost all life and meaning; + In everlasting life death found its goal, + For thou art Death, and thou first mak'st us whole. + +Filled with joy, the singer went on to Indostan, his heart intoxicated +with sweetest love, and poured it out in fiery songs under that tender +sky, so that a thousand hearts bowed to him, and the good news sprang up +with a thousand branches. Soon after the singer's departure, his precious +life was made a sacrifice for the deep fall of man. He died in his youth, +torn away from his loved world, from his weeping mother, and his trembling +friends. His lovely mouth emptied the dark cup of unspeakable wrongs. In +horrible anguish the birth of the new world drew near. Hard he wrestled +with the terrors of old Death; heavy lay the weight of the old world upon +him. Yet once more he looked kindly at his mother; then came the releasing +hand of the Love eternal, and he fell asleep. Only a few days hung a deep +veil over the roaring sea, over the quaking land; countless tears wept his +loved ones; the mystery was unsealed: heavenely spirits heaved the ancient +stone from the gloomy grave. Angels sat by the sleeper, sweetly outbodied +from his dreams; awaked in new Godlike glory, he clomb the apex of the +new-born world, buried with his own hand the old corpse in the forsaken +cavity, and with hand almighty laid upon it the stone which no power shall +again upheave. + +Yet weep thy loved ones over thy grave tears of joy, tears of emotion, +tears of endless thanksgiving; ever afresh, with joyous start, see thee +rise again, and themselves with thee; behold thee weep with soft fervour +on the blessed bosom of thy mother, walk in thoughtful communion with thy +friends, uttering words plucked as from the tree of life; see thee hasten, +full of longing, into thy father's arms, bearing with thee youthful +Humanity, and the inexhaustible cup of the golden Future. Soon the mother +hastened after thee in heavenly triumph; she was the first with thee in +the new home. Since then, long ages have flowed past, and in splendour +ever increasing hath bestirred itself thy new creation, and thousands +have, out of pangs and tortures, followed thee, filled with faith and +longing and truth, and are walking about with thee and the heavenly virgin +in the kingdom of Love, minister in the temple of heavenly Death, and are +for ever thine. + + Uplifted is the stone, + And all mankind is risen; + We all remain thine own, + And vanished is our prison. + All troubles flee away + Before thy golden cup; + For Earth nor Life can stay + When with our Lord we sup. + + To the marriage Death doth call; + No virgin holdeth back; + The lamps burn lustrous all; + Of oil there is no lack. + Would thy far feet were waking + The echoes of our street! + And that the stars were making + Signal with voices sweet! + + To thee, O mother maiden, + Ten thousand hearts aspire; + In this life, sorrow-laden, + Thee only they desire; + In thee they hope for healing; + In thee expect true rest, + When thou, their safety sealing, + Shalt clasp them to thy breast. + + With disappointment burning + Who made in hell their bed, + At last from this world turning + To thee have looked and fled: + Helpful thou hast appeared + To us in many a pain: + Now to thy home we're neared, + Not to go out again! + + Now at no grave are weeping + Such as do love and pray; + The gift that Love is keeping + From none is taken away. + To soothe and quiet our longing + Night comes, and stills the smart; + Heaven's children round us thronging + Now watch and ward our heart. + + Courage! for life is striding + To endless life along; + The Sense, in love abiding, + Grows clearer and more strong. + One day the stars, down dripping, + Shall flow in golden wine: + We, of that nectar sipping, + As living stars shall shine! + + Free, from the tomb emerges + Love, to die never more; + Fulfilled, life heaves and surges + A sea without a shore! + All night! all blissful leisure! + One jubilating ode! + And the sun of all our pleasure + The countenance of God! + + +VI. + +LONGING AFTER DEATH. + + Into the bosom of the earth! + Out of the Light's dominions! + Death's pains are but the bursting forth + Of glad Departure's pinions! + Swift in the narrow little boat, + Swift to the heavenly shore we float! + + Blest be the everlasting Night, + And blest the endless Slumber! + We are heated with the day too bright, + And withered up with cumber! + We're weary of that life abroad: + Come, we will now go home to God! + + Why longer in this world abide? + Why love and truth here cherish? + That which is old is set aside--For + us the new may perish! + Alone he stands and sore downcast + Who loves with pious warmth the Past. + + The Past where yet the human spirit + In lofty flames did rise; + Where men the Father did inherit, + His countenance recognize; + And, in simplicity made ripe, + Many grew like their archetype. + + The Past wherin, still rich in bloom, + Old stems did burgeon glorious; + And children, for the world to come, + Sought pain and death victorious; + And, though both life and pleasure spake, + Yet many a heart for love did break. + + The Past, where to the glow of youth + God yet himself declared; + And early death, in loving truth + The young beheld, and dared-- + Anguish and torture patient bore + To prove they loved him as of yore. + + With anxious yearning now we see + That Past in darkness drenched; + With this world's water never we + Shall find our hot thirst quenched: + To our old home we have to go + That blessed time again to know. + + What yet doth hinder our return? + Long since repose our precious! + Their grave is of our life the bourn; + We shrink from times ungracious! + By not a hope are we decoyed: + The heart is full; the world is void! + + Infinite and mysterious, + Thrills through me a sweet trembling, + As if from far there echoed thus + A sigh, our grief resembling: + The dear ones long as well as I, + And send to me their waiting sigh. + + Down to the sweet bride, and away + To the beloved Jesus! + Courage! the evening shades grow gray, + Of all our griefs to ease us! + A dream will dash our chains apart, + And lay us on the Father's heart. + + + + SPIRITUAL SONGS. + +I. + + Without thee, what were life or being! + Without thee, what had I not grown! + From fear and anguish vainly fleeing, + I in the world had stood alone; + For all I loved could trust no shelter; + The future a dim gulf had lain; + And when my heart in tears did welter, + To whom had I poured out my pain? + + Consumed in love and longing lonely + Each day had worn the night's dull face + With hot tears I had followed only + Afar life's wildly rushing race. + No rest for me, tumultuous driven! + A hopeless sorrow by the hearth!-- + Who, that had not a friend in heaven, + Could to the end hold out on earth? + + But if his heart once Jesus bareth, + And I of him right sure can be, + How soon a living glory scareth + The bottomless obscurity! + Manhood in him first man attaineth; + His fate in Him transfigured glows; + On freezing Iceland India gaineth, + And round the loved one blooms and blows. + + Life grows a twilight softly stealing; + The world speaks all of love and glee; + For every wound grows herb of healing, + And every heart beats full and free. + I, his ten thousand gifts receiving, + Humble like him, his knees embrace; + Sure that we share his presence living + When two are gathered in one place. + + Forth, forth to all highways and hedges! + Compel the wanderers to come in; + Stretch out the hand that good will pledges, + And gladly call them to their kin. + See heaven high over earth up-dawning! + In faith we see it rise and spread: + To all with us one spirit owning-- + To them with us 'tis opened. + + An ancient, heavy guilt-illusion + Haunted our hearts, a changeless doom; + Blindly we strayed in night's confusion; + Gladness and grief alike consume. + Whate'er we did, some law was broken! + Mankind appeared God's enemy; + And if we thought the heavens had spoken, + They spoke but death and misery. + + The heart, of life the fountain swelling-- + An evil creature lay therein; + If more light shone into our dwelling, + More unrest only did we win. + Down to the earth an iron fetter + Fast held us, trembling captive crew; + Fear of Law's sword, grim Death the whetter, + Did swallow up hope's residue. + + Then came a saviour to deliver-- + A Son of Man, in love and might! + A holy fire, of life all-giver, + He in our hearts has fanned alight. + Then first heaven opened--and, no fable, + Our own old fatherland we trod! + To hope and trust we straight were able, + And knew ourselves akin to God. + + Then vanished Sin's old spectre dismal; + Our every step grew glad and brave. + Best natal gift, in rite baptismal, + Their own faith men their children gave. + Holy in him, Life since hath floated, + A happy dream, through every heart; + We, to his love and joy devoted, + Scarce know the moment we depart. + + Still standeth, in his wondrous glory, + The holy loved one with his own; + His crown of thorns, his faithful story + Still move our hearts, still make us groan. + Whoso from deadly sleep will waken, + And grasp his hand of sacrifice, + Into his heart with us is taken, + To ripen a fruit of Paradise. + + +II. + + Dawn, far eastward, on the mountain! + Gray old times are growing young: + From the flashing colour-fountain + I will quaff it deep and long!-- + Granted boon to Longing's long privation! + Sweet love in divine transfiguration! + + Comes at last, our old Earth's native, + All-Heaven's one child, simple, kind! + Blows again, in song creative, + Round the earth a living wind; + Blows to clear new flames that rush together + Sparks extinguished long by earthly weather. + + Everywhere, from graves upspringing, + Rises new-born life, new blood! + Endless peace up to us bringing, + Dives he underneath life's flood; + Stands in midst, with full hands, eyes caressing-- + Hardly waits the prayer to grant the blessing. + + Let his mild looks of invading + Deep into thy spirit go; + By his blessedness unfading + Thou thy heart possessed shalt know. + Hearts of all men, spirits all, and senses + Mingle, and a new glad dance commences. + + Grasp his hands with boldness yearning; + Stamp his face thy heart upon; + Turning toward him, ever turning, + Thou, the flower, must face thy sun. + Who to him his heart's last fold unfoldeth, + True as wife's his heart for ever holdeth. + + Ours is now that Godhead's splendour + At whose name we used to quake! + South and north, its breathings tender + Heavenly germs at once awake! + Let us then in God's full garden labour, + And to every bud and bloom be neighbour! + + +III. + + Who in his chamber sitteth lonely, + And weepeth heavy, bitter tears; + To whom in doleful colours, only + Of want and woe, the world appears; + + Who of the Past, gulf-like receding, + Would search with questing eyes the core, + Down into which a sweet woe, pleading, + Wiles him from all sides evermore-- + + As if a treasure past believing + Lay there below, for him high-piled, + After whose lock, with bosom heaving, + He breathless grasps in longing wild: + + He sees the Future, waste and arid, + In hideous length before him stretch; + About he roams, alone and harried, + And seeks himself, poor restless wretch!-- + + I fall upon his bosom, tearful: + I once, like thee, with woe was wan; + But I grew well, am strong and cheerful, + And know the eternal rest of man. + + Thou too must find the one consoler + Who inly loved, endured, and died-- + Even for them that wrought his dolour + With thousand-fold rejoicing died. + + He died--and yet, fresh each to-morrow, + His love and him thy heart doth hold; + Thou mayst, consoled for every sorrow, + Him in thy arms with ardour fold. + + New blood shall from his heart be driven + Through thy dead bones like living wine; + And once thy heart to him is given, + Then is his heart for ever thine. + + What thou didst lose, he keeps it for thee; + With him thy lost love thou shalt find; + And what his hand doth once restore thee, + That hand to thee will changeless bind. + + +IV. + + Of the thousand hours me meeting, + And with gladsome promise greeting, + One alone hath kept its faith-- + One wherein--ah, sorely grieved!-- + In my heart I first perceived + Who for us did die the death. + + All to dust my world was beaten; + As a worm had through them eaten + Withered in me bud and flower; + All my life had sought or cherished + In the grave had sunk and perished; + Pain sat in my ruined bower. + + While I thus, in silence sighing, + Ever wept, on Death still crying, + Still to sad delusions tied, + All at once the night was cloven, + From my grave the stone was hoven, + And my inner doors thrown wide. + + Whom I saw, and who the other, + Ask me not, or friend or brother!-- + Sight seen once, and evermore! + Lone in all life's eves and morrows, + This hour only, like my sorrows, + Ever shines my eyes before. + + +V. + + If I him but have,[1] + If he be but mine, + If my heart, hence to the grave, + Ne'er forgets his love divine-- + Know I nought of sadness, + Feel I nought but worship, love, and gladness. + + [Footnote 1: Here I found the double or feminine rhyme + impossible without the loss of the far more precious + simplicity of the original, which could be retained only by + a literal translation.] + + If I him but have, + Pleased from all I part; + Follow, on my pilgrim staff, + None but him, with honest heart; + Leave the rest, nought saying, + On broad, bright, and crowded highways straying. + + If I him but have, + Glad to sleep I sink; + From his heart the flood he gave + Shall to mine be food and drink; + And, with sweet compelling, + Mine shall soften, deep throughout it welling. + + If I him but have, + Mine the world I hail; + Happy, like a cherub grave + Holding back the Virgin's veil: + I, deep sunk in gazing, + Hear no more the Earth or its poor praising. + + Where I have but him + Is my fatherland; + Every gift a precious gem + Come to me from his own hand! + Brothers long deplored, + Lo, in his disciples, all restored! + + +VI. + + My faith to thee I break not, + If all should faithless be, + That gratitude forsake not + The world eternally. + For my sake Death did sting thee + With anguish keen and sore; + Therefore with joy I bring thee + This heart for evermore. + + Oft weep I like a river + That thou art dead, and yet + So many of thine thee, Giver + Of life, life-long forget! + By love alone possessed, + Such great things thou hast done! + But thou art dead, O Blessed, + And no one thinks thereon! + + Thou stand'st with love unshaken + Ever by every man; + And if by all forsaken, + Art still the faithful one. + Such love must win the wrestle; + At last thy love they'll see, + Weep bitterly, and nestle + Like children to thy knee. + + Thou with thy love hast found me! + O do not let me go! + Keep me where thou hast bound me + Till one with thee I grow. + My brothers yet will waken, + One look to heaven will dart-- + Then sink down, love-o'ertaken, + And fall upon thy heart. + + +VII. + +HYMN. + + Few understand + The mystery of Love, + Know insatiableness, + And thirst eternal. + Of the Last Supper + The divine meaning + Is to the earthly senses a riddle; + But he that ever + From warm, beloved lips, + Drew breath of life; + In whom the holy glow + Ever melted the heart in trembling waves; + Whose eye ever opened so + As to fathom + The bottomless deeps of heaven-- + Will eat of his body + And drink of his blood + Everlastingly. + Who of the earthly body + Has divined the lofty sense? + Who can say + That he understands the blood? + One day all is body, + _One_ body: + In heavenly blood + Swims the blissful two. + + Oh that the ocean + Were even now flushing! + And in odorous flesh + The rock were upswelling! + Never endeth the sweet repast; + Never doth Love satisfy itself; + Never close enough, never enough its own, + Can it _have_ the beloved! + By ever tenderer lips + Transformed, the Partaken + Goes deeper, grows nearer. + Pleasure more ardent + Thrills through the soul; + Thirstier and hungrier + Becomes the heart; + And so endureth Love's delight + From everlasting to everlasting. + Had the refraining + Tasted but once, + All had they left + To set themselves down with us + To the table of longing + Which will never be bare; + Then had they known Love's + Infinite fullness, + And commended the sustenance + Of body and blood. + + +VIII. + + Weep I must--my heart runs over: + Would he once himself discover-- + If but once, from far away! + Holy sorrow! still prevailing + Is my weeping, is my wailing: + Would that I were turned to clay! + + Evermore I hear him crying + To his Father, see him dying: + Will this heart for ever beat! + Will my eyes in death close never? + Weeping all into a river + Were a bliss for me too sweet! + + Hear I none but me bewailing? + Dies his name an echo failing? + Is the world at once struck dead? + Shall I from his eyes, ah! never + More drink love and life for ever? + Is he now for always dead? + + _Dead?_ What means that sound of dolour? + Tell me, tell me thou, a scholar, + What it means, that word so grim. + He is silent; all turn from me! + No one on the earth will show me + Where my heart may look for him! + + Earth no more, whate'er befall me, + Can to any gladness call me! + She is but one dream of woe! + I too am with him departed: + Would I lay with him, still-hearted, + In the region down below! + + Hear, me, hear, his and my father! + My dead bones, I pray thee, gather + Unto his--and soon, I pray! + Grass his hillock soon will cover, + Soon the wind will wander over, + Soon his form will fade away. + + If his love they once perceived, + Soon, soon all men had believed, + Letting all things else go by! + Lord of love him only owning, + All would weep with me bemoaning, + And in bitter woe would die! + + +IX. + + He lives! he's risen from the dead! + To every man I shout; + His presence over us is spread, + Goes with us in and out. + + To each I say it; each apace + His comrades telleth too-- + That straight will dawn in every place + The heavenly kingdom new. + + Now, to the new mind, first appears + The world a fatherland; + A new life men receive, with tears + Of rapture, from his hand. + + Down into deepest gulfs of sea + Grim Death hath sunk away; + And now each man with holy glee, + Can face his coming day. + + The darksome road that he hath gone + Leads out on heaven's floor: + Who heeds the counsel of the Son + Enters the Father's door. + + Down here weeps no one any more + For friend that shuts his eyes; + For, soon or late, the parting sore + Will change to glad surprise. + + And now to every friendly deed + Each heart will warmer glow; + For many a fold the fresh-sown seed + In lovelier fields will blow. + + He lives--will sit beside our hearths, + The greatest with the least; + Therefore this day shall be our Earth's + Glad Renovation-feast. + + +X. + + The times are all so wretched! + The heart so full of cares! + The future, far outstretched, + A spectral horror wears. + + Wild terrors creep and hover + With foot so ghastly soft! + Our souls black midnights cover + With mountains piled aloft. + + Firm props like reeds are waving; + For trust is left no stay; + Our thoughts, like whirlpool raving, + No more the will obey! + + Frenzy, with eye resistless, + Decoys from Truth's defence; + Life's pulse is flagging listless, + And dull is every sense. + + Who hath the cross upheaved + To shelter every soul? + Who lives, on high received, + To make the wounded whole? + + Go to the tree of wonder; + Give silent longing room; + Issuing flames asunder + Thy bad dream will consume. + + Draws thee an angel tender + In saftey to the strand: + Lo, at thy feet in splendour + Lies spread the Promised Land! + + +XI. + + I know not what were left to draw me, + Had I but him who is my bliss; + If still his eye with pleasure saw me, + And, dwelling with me, me would miss. + + So many search, round all ways going, + With face distorted, anxious eye, + Who call themselves the wise and knowing, + Yet ever pass this treasure by! + + One man believes that he has found it, + And what he has is nought but gold; + One takes the world by sailing round it: + The deed recorded, all is told! + + One man runs well to gain the laurel; + Another, in Victory's fane a niche: + By different Shows in bright apparel + All are befooled, not one made rich! + + Hath He not then to you appeared? + Have ye forgot Him turning wan + Whose side for love of us was speared-- + The scorned, rejected Son of Man? + + Of Him have you not read the story-- + Heard one poor word upon the wind? + What heavenly goodness was his glory, + Or what a gift he left behind? + + How he descended from the Father, + Of loveliest mother infant grand? + What Word the nations from him gather? + How many bless his healing hand? + + How, thereto urged by mere love, wholly + He gave himself to us away, + And down in earth, foundation lowly, + First stone of God's new city, lay? + + Can such news fail to touch us mortals? + Is not to know the man pure bliss? + Will you not open all your portals + To him who closed for you the abyss? + + Will you not let the world go faring? + For Him your dearest wish deny? + To him alone your heart keep baring, + Who you has shown such favour high? + + Hero of love, oh, take me, take me! + Thou art my life! my world! my gold! + Should every earthly thing forsake me, + I know who will me scatheless hold! + + I see Thee my lost loves restoring! + True evermore to me thou art! + Low at thy feet heaven sinks adoring, + And yet thou dwellest in my heart! + + +XII. + + Earth's Consolation, why so slow? + Thy inn is ready long ago; + Each lifts to thee his hungering eyes, + And open to thy blessing lies. + + O Father, pour him forth with might; + Out of thine arms, oh yield him quite! + Shyness alone, sweet shame, I know, + Kept him from coming long ago! + + Haste him from thine into our arm + To take him with thy breath yet warm; + Thick clouds around the baby wrap, + And let him down into our lap. + + In the cool streams send him to us; + In flames let him glow tremulous; + In air and oil, in sound and dew, + Let him pierce all Earth's structure through. + + So shall the holy fight be fought, + So come the rage of hell to nought; + And, ever blooming, dawn again + The ancient Paradise of men. + + Earth stirs once more, grows green and live; + Full of the Spirit, all things strive + To clasp with love the Saviour-guest, + And offer him the mother-breast. + + Winter gives way; a year new-born + Stands at the manger's alter-horn; + 'Tis the first year of that new Earth + Claimed by the child in right of birth. + + Our eyes they see the Saviour well, + Yet in them doth the Saviour dwell; + With flowers his head is wreathed about; + From every flower himself smiles out. + + He is the star; he is the sun; + Life's well that evermore will run; + From herb, stone, sea, and light's expanse + Glimmers his childish countenance. + + His childlike labour things to mend, + His ardent love will never end; + He nestles, with unconscious art, + Divinely fast to every heart. + + To us a God, to himself a child, + He loves us all, self un-defiled; + Becomes our drink, becomes our food-- + His dearest thanks, a heart that's good. + + The misery grows yet more and more; + A gloomy grief afflicts us sore: + Keep him no longer, Father, thus; + He will come home again with us! + + +XIII. + + When in hours of fear and failing, + All but quite our heart despairs; + When, with sickness driven to wailing. + Anguish at our bosom tears; + Then our loved ones we remember; + All their grief and trouble rue; + Clouds close in on our December + And no beam of hope shines through! + + Oh but then God bends him o'er us! + Then his love comes very near! + Long we heavenward then--before us + Lo, his angel standing clear! + Life's cup fresh to us he reaches; + Whispers comfort, courage new; + Nor in vain our prayer beseeches + Rest for our beloved ones too. + + +XIV. + + Who once hath seen thee, Mother fair, + Destruction him shall never snare; + His fear is, from thee to be parted; + He loves thee evermore, true-hearted; + Thy grace remembered is the source + Whereout springs hence his spirit's highest force. + + My heart is very true to thee; + My ever failing thou dost see: + Let me, sweet mother, yet essay thee-- + Give me one happy sign, I pray thee. + My whole existence rests in thee: + One moment, only one, be thou with me. + + I used to see thee in my dreams, + So fair, so full of tenderest beams! + The little God in thine arms lying + Took pity on his playmate crying: + But thou with high look me didst awe, + And into clouds of glory didst withdraw. + + What have I done to thee, poor wretch? + To thee my longing arms I stretch! + Are not thy holy chapels ever + My resting-spots in life's endeavour? + O Queen, of saints and angels blest, + This heart and life take up into thy rest! + + Thou know'st that I, beloved Queen, + All thine and only thine have been! + Have I not now, years of long measure, + In silence learned thy grace to treasure? + While to myself yet scarce confest, + Even then I drew milk from thy holy breast. + + Oh, countless times thou stood'st by me! + I, merry child, looked up to thee! + His hands thy little infant gave me + In sign that one day he would save me; + Thou smiledst, full of tenderness, + And then didst kiss me: oh the heavenly bliss! + + Afar stands now that gladness brief; + Long have I companied with grief; + Restless I stray outside the garden! + Have I then sinned beyond thy pardon? + Childlike thy garment's hem I pull: + Oh wake me from this dream so weariful! + + If only children see thy face, + And, confident, may trust thy grace, + From age's bonds, oh, me deliver, + And make me thine own child for ever! + The love and truth of childhood's prime + Dwell in me yet from that same golden time. + + +XV. + + In countless pictures I behold thee, + O Mary, lovelily expressed, + But of them all none can unfold thee + As I have seen thee in my breast! + I only know the world's loud splendour + Since then is like a dream o'erblown; + And that a heaven, for words too tender, + My quieted spirit fills alone. + + + + +_A PARABLE_. + +Long ago, there lived far to the west a very young man, good, but +extremely odd. He tormented himself continually about this nothing and +that nothing, always walked in silence and straight before him, sat down +alone when the others were at their sports and merry-makings, and brooded +over strange things. Caves and woods were his dearest haunts; and there he +talked on and on with beasts and birds, with trees and rocks--of course +not one rational word, but mere idiotic stuff, to make one laugh to death. +He continued, however, always moody and serious, in spite of the utmost +pains that the squirrel, the monkey, the parrot, and the bullfinch could +take to divert him, and set him in the right way. The goose told stories, +the brook jingled a ballad between, a great thick stone cut ridiculous +capers, the rose stole lovingly about him from behind and crept through +his locks, while the ivy stroked his troubled brow. But his melancholy and +gravity were stubborn. His parents were much troubled, and did not know +what to do. He was in good health, and ate well enough; they had never +caused him any offence; and, until a few years ago, he had been the +liveliest and merriest of them all, foremost in all their games, and a +favourite with all the maidens. He was very handsome, looked like a +picture, and danced like an angel. Amongst the maidens was one, a charming +and beautiful creature, who looked like wax, had hair like golden silk, +and cherry-red lips, was a doll for size, and had coal-black, yes, +raven-black eyes. Whoever saw her was ready to swoon, she was so lovely. +Now Rosebud, for that was her name, was heartily fond of the handsome +Hyacinth, for that was his name, and he loved her fit to die. The other +children knew nothing of it. A violet told them of it first. The little +house-cats had been quite aware of it, for the houses of their parents lay +near each other. So when Hyacinth stood at night by his window, and +Rosebud at hers, and the cats ran past mouse-hunting, they saw the two +standing there, and often laughed and tittered so loud that they heard it +and were offended. The violet told it in confidence to the strawberry, and +she told it to her friend, the raspberry, who never ceased rasping when +Hyacinth came along; so that by and by the whole garden and wood were in +the secret, and when Hyacinth went out, he heard on all sides the cry: +"Little Rosy is my posy!" This vexed him; but the next moment he could not +help laughing from the bottom of his heart, when the little lizard came +slipping along, sat down on a warm stone, waggled his tail, and sang-- + + "Little Rosebud, good and wise, + All at once has lost her eyes: + Taking Hyacinth for her mother, + Round his neck her arms she flings; + Then perceiving 'tis another-- + Starts with terror?--no, but clings-- + Think of that!--fast as before, + Only kissing all the more!" + +Alas, how soon was the grand time over! There came a man out of strange +lands, who had travelled wondrous far and wide, had a long beard, deep +eyes, frightful eyebrows, and a strange garment with many folds, and +inwoven with curious figures. He seated himself before the house of +Hyacinth's parents. Hyacinth at once became very inquisitive, and sat down +beside him, and brought him bread and wine. Then parted he his white +beard, and told stories deep into the night; and Hyacinth never stirred or +tired of listening. This much they learned afterward, that he talked a +great deal about strange lands, unknown countries, and amazingly wonderful +things; stopped there three days, and crept with Hyacinth down into deep +shafts. Little Rosebud execrated the old sorcerer pretty thoroughly, for +Hyacinth was altogether absorbed in his conversation, and paid no heed to +anything else, hardly even to the swallowing of a mouthful of food. At +length the man took his departure, but left with Hyacinth a little book +which no man could read. Hyacinth gave him fruit, and bread, and wine to +take with him, and accompanied him a long way. Then he came back sunk in +thought, and thereafter took up a quite new mode of life. Rosebud was in a +very sad way about him, for from that time forward he made little of her, +and kept himself always to himself. But it came to pass that one day he +came home, and was like one born again. He fell on his parents' neck and +wept. "I must away to a foreign land!" he said: "the strange old woman in +the wood has told me what I must do to get well; she has thrown the book +into the fire, and has made me come to you to ask your blessing. Perhaps I +shall be back soon, perhaps never more. Say good-bye to Rosebud for me. I +should have been glad to have a talk with her; I do not know what has come +to me: I must go! When I would think to recall old times, immediately come +thoughts more potent in between; my rest is gone, and my heart and love +with it; and I must go find them! I would gladly tell you whither, but do +not myself know; it is where dwells the mother of things, the virgin with +the veil; for her my spirit is on fire. Farewell!" He tore himself from +them, and went out. His parents lamented and shed tears. Rosebud kept her +chamber, and wept bitterly. + +Hyacinth now ran, as fast as he could, through valleys and wildernesses, +over mountains and streams, toward the land of mystery. Everywhere he +inquired--of men and beasts, of rocks and trees,--after the sacred goddess +Isis. Many laughed, many held their peace; nowhere did he get an answer. +At first he passed through a rugged wild country; mists and clouds threw +themselves in his way, but he rushed on impetuously. Then he came to +boundless deserts of sand--mere glowing dust; and as he went his mood +changed also; the time became tedious to him, and his inward unrest +abated; he grew gentler, and the stormy impulse in him passed by degrees +into a mild yet powerful attraction, wherein his whole spirit was +dissolved. It seemed as if many years lay behind him. + +And now the country became again richer and more varied, the air soft and +blue, the way smoother. Green bushes enticed him with their pleasant +shadows, but he did not understand their speech; they seemed indeed not to +speak, and yet they filled his heart with their green hues, and their +cool, still presence. Ever higher in him waxed that same sweet longing, +and ever broader and juicier grew the leaves, ever louder and more jocund +the birds and beasts, balmier the fruits, darker the heavenly blue, warmer +the air, and more ardent his love. The time went ever faster, as if it +knew itself near the goal. + +One day he met a crystal rivulet, and a multitude of flowers, coming down +into a valley between dark, columnar cliffs. They greeted him friendlily, +with familiar words. "Dear country-folk," said he, "where shall I find the +sacred dwelling of Isis? Hereabouts it must be, and here, I guess, you are +more at home than I." "We also are but passing through," replied the +flowers; "a spirit-family is on its travels, and we are preparing for them +their road and quarters. A little way back, however, we passed through a +country where we heard her name mentioned. Only go up, where we came down, +and thou wilt soon learn more." The flowers and the brook smiled as they +said it, offered him a cool draught, and went on their way. Hyacinth +followed their counsel, kept asking, and came at last to that dwelling he +had sought so long, which lay hid among palms and other rare plants. His +heart beat with an infinite longing, and the sweetest apprehension +thrilled him in this abode of the eternal seasons. Amid heavenly odours he +fell asleep, for Dream alone could lead him into the holy of holies. In +marvellous mode Dream conducted him through endless rooms full of strange +things, by means of witching sounds and changeful harmonies. All seemed to +him so familiar, and yet strange with an unknown splendour; then vanished +the last film of the perishable as if melted into air, and he stood before +the celestial virgin. Then he lifted the thin glistening veil, and-- +Rosebud sank into his arms. A far-off music surrounded the mysteries of +love's reunion and the outpouring of their longings, and shut out from the +scene of their rapture everything alien to it. + +Hyacinth lived a long time after with Rosebud and his happy parents and +old playmates; and numberless grandchildren thanked the wonderful old wise +woman for her counsel and her uprousing; for in those days people had as +many children as they pleased. + + + + +FROM SCHILLER. + + THE TRYST + HOPE + THE WORDS OF FAITH + THE WORDS OF VANITY + THE METAPHYSICIAN + THE PHILOSOPHERS + SAYINGS OF CONFUCIUS + KNOWLEDGE + MY FAITH + FRIEND AND FOE + EXPECTATION AND FULFILMENT + THE DIVER + KNIGHT TOGGENBURG + LONGING + + + _THE TRYST._ + + That was the sound of the wicket! + That was the latch as it rose! + No--the wind that through the thicket + Of the poplars whirring goes. + + Put on thy beauty, foliage-vaulted roof, + Her to receive: with silent welcome grace her; + Ye branches build a shadowy room, eye-proof, + With lovely night and stillness to embrace her, + Ye airs caressing, wake, nor keep aloof, + In sport and gambol turning still to face her, + As, with its load of beauty, lightly borne, + Glides in the fairy foot, and dawns my morn. + + What is that rustling the hedges? + She, with her hurrying pace? + No, a bird among the sedges, + Startled from its hiding-place! + + Quench thy sunk torch, O Day! Steal out, appear, + Dim, ghostly Night, with dumbness us entrancing! + Spread thy rose-purple veil about us here; + Weave round us twigs, the mystery enhancing: + Love's rapture flees the lurking listening ear-- + Flies from the Day, so indiscreetly glancing; + Hesper alone--no tattling tell-tale he-- + Far-gazing, still, her confidant may be. + + That was a voice, but far distant, + Faint, like a whispering low! + No; the swan that draws persistent + Through the pond his circles slow! + + About mine ears harmonious breathings flow; + The fountain falls in sweetly wavering rushes; + The flower beneath the west wind's kiss bends slow; + Delight from each to every thing outgushes; + Grape-clusters beckon; peaches luring glow, + And hide half in their leaves, up-swelling luscious; + The air, which aromatic odours streak, + Drinks up the glow upon my burning cheek. + + Hear I not echoing footfalls + Hither adown the pleach'd walk? + No; the over-ripened fruit falls, + Heavy-swollen, from off its stalk! + + Day's flaming eye at last is quenched quite; + In gentle death its colours all are paling; + Now boldly open in the fair twilight + The cups which in his blaze had long been quailing; + Slow lifts the moon her visage calmly bright; + Into great masses molten, earth sinks failing; + From every charm the zone drops unaware, + And shrouded beauty dawns upon me bare. + + Yonder I see a white shimmer-- + Silky--of robe or of shawl? + No; it is the column's glimmer + 'Gainst the clipt yews' gloomy wall! + + O longing heart, no more thyself befool, + Flouted by Fancy's loveliness unreal! + The empty arm no burning heart will cool, + No shadow-joy hold place for Love's Ideal! + O bring my live love all my heart to rule! + Give me her hand to hold, my every weal! + Or but the shadow of her mantle's hem-- + And straight my dreams shall live, and I in them! + + And soft as, from hills rosy-golden + The dews of still gladness descend, + So had she drawn nigh unbeholden, + And wakened with kisses her friend. + + * * * * * + + _HOPE_. + + Men talk with their lips and dream with their soul + Of better days hitherward pacing; + To a happy, a glorious, golden goal + See them go running and chasing! + The world grows old and to youth returns, + But still for the Better man's bosom burns. + + It is Hope leads him into life and its light; + She haunts the little one merry; + The youth is inspired by her magic might; + Her the graybeard cannot bury: + When he finds at the grave his ended scope, + On the grave itself he planteth Hope. + + She was never begotten in Folly's brain, + An empty illusion, to flatter; + In the Heart she cries, aloud and plain: + We are born to something better! + And that which the inner voice doth say + The hoping spirit will not betray. + + + _THE WORDS OF FAITH_. + + Three words I will tell you, of meaning full: + The lips of the many shout them; + Yet were they born of no sect or school, + The heart only knows about them: + That man is of everything worth bereft + Who in those three words has no faith left: + + _Man_ is born free--and is free alway + Even were he born in fetters! + Let not the mob's cry lead you astray, + Or the misdeeds of frantic upsetters: + Fear not the slave when he breaks his bands; + Fear nothing from any free man's hands. + + And _Virtue_--it is no empty sound; + That a man can obey her, no folly; + Even if he stumble all over the ground + He yet can follow the Holy; + And what never wisdom of wise man knew + A child-like spirit can simply do. + + And a _God_ there is--a steadfast Will, + However the human shrinketh! + High over space and time He still, + The live Thought, doth what He thinketh; + And though all things keep circling, to change confined, + He keeps, in all changes, a changeless mind. + + These three words cherish--of meaning full: + From mouth to mouth send them faring; + For, although they spring from no sect or school, + Your hearts them witness are bearing; + And man is never of worth bereft + While yet he has faith in those three words left. + + Three words there are of weighty sound, + And from good men's lips they hail us; + But a tinkling cymbal, a drum's rebound, + For help or for comfort they fail us! + His Life's fruit away he forfeit flings + Who catches after those shadows of things; + + Who still believes in a Golden Age, + Where the Right and the Good reign in splendour: + The Right and the Good war ever must wage-- + Their foe will never surrender; + And chok'st thou him not in the upper air, + His strength he will still on the earth repair. + + Who yet believes that Fortune, the jilt, + To the noble will bind herself ever: + Her love-looks follow the man of guilt; + The world to the good belongs never; + He is in it a stranger; he wanders away + Seeking a house that will not decay. + + Who still believes that no human gaze + Truth ever her visage discloses: + Her veil no mortal hand shall raise; + Man only thinks and supposes: + Thou mayst prison the spirit in sounding form, + But the Fetterless walks away on the storm. + + Then, noble spirit, from folly break free, + This heav'nly faith holding and handing: + What the ear never heard, what no eye can see, + Is the lovely, the true, notwithstanding; + Outside, the fool seeks for it evermore; + The wise man finds it with closed door! + + + THE METAPHYSICIAN. + + "How far the world lies under me! + Scarce can I see the men below there crawling! + How high it bears me up, my lofty calling! + How near the heavenly canopy!" + Thus, from tower-roof where he doth clamber, + Calls out the slater; and with him the small big man, + Jack Metaphysicus, down in his writing-chamber! + Tell me, thou little great big man,-- + The tower, whence thou so grandly all things hast inspected, + Of what is it?--Whereon is it erected? + How cam'st thou up thyself? Its heights so smooth and bare-- + How serve they thee but thence into the vale to stare? + + + _THE PHILOSOPHERS_. + + The principle whence everything + To life and shape ascended-- + The pulley whereon Zeus the ring + Of Earth, which else in sherds would spring, + Has carefully suspended-- + To genius I yield him a claim + Who fathoms for me what its name, + Save I withdraw its curtain: + It is--ten is not thirteen. + + That snow makes cold, that fire burns, + That man on two feet goeth, + That in the heavens the sun sojourns-- + This much the man who logic spurns + Through his own senses knoweth; + But metaphysics who has got, + Knows he that burneth, freezeth not; + Knows 'tis the moist that wetteth, + And 'tis the rough that fretteth. + + Great Homer sings his epic high; + The hero fronts his dangers; + The brave his duty still doth ply-- + And did it while, I won't deny, + Philosophers were strangers: + But grant by heart and brain achiev'd + What Locke and Des Cartes ne'er conceiv'd-- + By them yet, as behoved, + It possible was proved. + + Strength for the Right is counted still; + Bold laughs the strong hyena; + Who rule not, servants' parts must fill; + It goes quite tolerably ill + Upon this world's arena; + But how it would be, if the plan + Of the universe now first began, + In many a moral system + All men may read who list 'em. + + "Man needs with man must linked be + To reach the goal of growing; + In the whole only worketh he; + Many drops go to make the sea; + Much water sets mills going. + Then with the wild wolves do not stand, + But knit the state's enduring band:" + From doctor's chair thus, tranquil, + Herr Pufendorf and swan-quill. + + But since to all, what doctors say + Flies not as soon as spoken, + Nature will use her mother-way, + See that her chain fly not in tway, + The circle be not broken: + Meantime, until the world's great round + Philosophy in one hath bound, + She keeps it on the move, sir, + By hunger and by love, sir. + + + + + _SAYINGS OF CONFUCIUS_. + + + I. + + Threefold is of Time the tread: + Lingering comes the Future pacing hither; + Dartlike is the Now gone thither; + Stands the Past aye moveless, foot and head. + + No impatience wings its idle + Tread of leisurely delay; + Fear or doubt it cannot bridle + Should it headlong run away; + No remorse, no incantation + Moves the standing from its station. + + Wouldst thou end thy earthly journey + Wise and of good fortune full, + Make the Lingering thine attorney + Thee to counsel--not thy tool; + Not for friend the Flying take, + Nor thy foe the Standing make. + + + II. + + Threefold is of Space the way: + On unresting, without stay, + Strives the Length into the distance; + Ceaseless pours the Breadth's insistence + Bottomless the Depth goes down. + + For a sign the three are sent thee: + _Onward_ must alone content thee-- + Weary, thou must not stand still + Wouldst thou thy perfection fill! + Thou must spread thee wider, bigger, + Wouldst thou have the world take figure! + To the deep the man descendeth + Who existence comprehendeth. + Leads persistence to the goal; + Leads abundance to precision; + Dwells in the abyss the Vision. + + * * * * * + + _In the following epigrams I have altered the form, + which in the original is the elegiac distich_. + + + _KNOWLEDGE_. + + To this man, 'tis a goddess tall, + Who lifts a star-encircled head; + To that, a fine cow in a stall, + Which gives him butter to his bread. + + + _MY FAITH_. + + Which religion I profess? + None of which you mention make. + Wherefore so?--And can't you guess? + For Religion's sake. + + + _FRIEND AND FOE_. + + Dear is my friend, but my foe too + Is friendly to my good; + My friend the thing shows I _can_ do, + My foe, the thing I should. + + + _EXPECTATION AND FULFILMENT_. + + Thousand-masted, mighty float, + Out to sea Youth's navy goes: + Silent, in his one saved boat, + Age into the harbour rows. + + + _THE DIVER_ + + "Which of you, knight or squire, will dare + Plunge into yonder gulf? + A golden beaker I fling in it--there! + The black mouth swallows it like a wolf! + Who brings me the cup again, whoever, + It is his own--he may keep it for ever!" + + Tis the king who speaks; and he flings from the brow + Of the cliff, that, rugged and steep, + Hangs out o'er the endless sea below, + The cup in the whirlpool's howling heap:-- + "Again I ask, what hero will follow? + What brave heart plunge into yon dark hollow?" + + The knights and the squires, the king about, + Hear him, and dumbly stare + Into the wild sea's tumbling rout; + But to win the beaker, they hardly care! + The king, for the third time, round him glaring-- + "Not a soul of you has the daring?" + + Speechless all, as before, they stand: + When a vassal bold, gentle, and gay, + Steps out from his comrades' shrinking band, + Flinging his girdle and cloak away; + And all the women and men that surrounded + Gazed on the grand-looking youth, astounded. + + And when he stepped to the rock's rough brow + Looking down on the gulf so black, + The waters which it had swallowed, now + Charybdis bellowing rendered back; + And, with a roar as of distant thunder, + Foaming they burst from the dark lap under. + + It wallows, seethes, hisses, in raging rout, + As when water wrestles with fire, + Till to heaven the yeasty tongues they spout; + And flood upon flood keeps mounting higher: + It will never its endless coil unravel, + As the sea with another sea were in travail! + + But, at last, slow sinks the writhing spasm, + And, black through the foaming white, + Downward gapes a yawning chasm-- + Bottomless, cloven to hell's wide night; + And, sucked up, see the billows roaring + Down through the whirling funnel pouring! + + Then in haste, ere the out-rage return again, + The youth to his God doth pray, + And--ascends a cry of horror and pain-- + Already the vortex hath swept him away! + And o'er the bold swimmer, in darkness eternal, + Close the great jaws of the gulf infernal! + + Then the water above grows smooth as glass, + While, below, dull roarings ply; + And, trembling, they hear the murmur pass-- + "High-hearted youth, farewell! good-bye!" + And, hollower still, comes the howl affraying, + Till their hearts are sick with the frightful delaying. + + If the crown itself thou in should fling, + And say, "Who back with it hies + Himself shall wear it, and shall be king," + I should not covet the precious prize! + What Ocean hides in that howling hell of it, + Live soul will never come back to tell of it! + + Ships many, caught in that whirling surge, + Shot sheer to their dismal doom: + Keel and mast only did ever emerge, + Shattered, from out the all-gulping tomb!-- + Like the bluster of tempest, clearer and clearer, + Comes its roaring nearer and ever nearer! + + It wallows, seethes, hisses, in raging rout, + As when water wrestles with fire, + Till to heaven the yeasty tongues they spout, + Wave upon wave's back mounting higher; + And as with the rumble of distant thunder + Bellowing it bursts from the dark lap under. + + And see, from its bosom, flowing dark, + Something heave up, swan-white! + An arm and a shining neck they mark, + And it rows with unrelaxing might! + It is he! and aloft in his left hand holden, + He swings, recovered, the beaker golden! + + With long deep breaths his path he ploughed, + Glad greeting the heavenly day; + Jubilant shouted the gazing crowd, + "He lives! he is free! he has burst his way! + Out of the grave, the whirlpool uproarious, + The hero hath rescued his life victorious!" + + He comes; they surround him with shouts of glee; + At the king's feet he sinks on the sod, + And hands him the beaker upon his knee. + To his lovely daughter the king gives a nod: + She fills it brim-full of wine sparkling and raying; + And then to the monarch the youth turned, saying: + + "Long live the king!--Ah, well doth he fare + Who breathes in this rosy light! + For frightful, yea, horrible is it down there; + And man ought not to tempt the heavenly Might, + Or long to see, with prying unwholesome, + What He graciously covers with darkness dolesome! + + "It tore me down as on lightning's wing-- + When a shaft in a rock outpours, + Wild-rushing against me, a torrent spring: + Its conflict seized me with raging force + And like a top, with giddy twisting, + Spun me about: there was no resisting! + + "Then God did show me, sore beseeching + In deepest, frightfullest need, + Up from the bottom a rock-ledge reaching-- + At it I caught, and from death was freed! + And behold, on spiked corals the beaker suspended + Which had else to the very abyss descended! + + "For below me it lay yet mountain-deep + The purply darksome maw! + And, though to the ear it was dead asleep, + The ghasted eye, down staring, saw + How, with dragons, lizards, salamanders, crawling, + The hell-jaws horrible were sprawling! + + "Black-swarming, in medley miscreate, + In masses lumped hideously, + Wallowed the conger, the thorny skate, + The lobster's grisly deformity; + And, baring its teeth with cruel sheen, a + Terrible shark, the sea's hyena. + + "So there I hung, and shuddering knew + That human help was none; + One thinking soul mid the horrid crew, + In the ghastly desert I was alone-- + Deeper than human speech e'er sounded, + By the sad waste's dismal monsters surrounded! + + "Thus thought I, and shivered. Then a something crept near + Upon legs with a hundred joints! + It snaps at me suddenly: frantic with fear + I lost my grasp of the coral points: + Away the whirl in its raging tore me-- + But it was my salvation, and upward bore me!" + + The king at the tale is filled with amaze:-- + "The beaker, well won, is thine; + And this ring I will give thee too," he says, + "Precious with gems that are more than fine, + If thou dare it yet once, and bring me the story + Of what's in the sea's lowest repertory." + + His daughter she hears him with tender dismay, + And with sweet words suasive doth plead: + "Father, enough of this cruel play! + For you he has done an unheard-of deed! + If you may not master your heart's desire, + 'Tis the knights' turn now to shame the squire!" + + The king sudden snatches and hurls the cup + Into the swirling pool:-- + "If thou bring me once more that beaker up, + Thou art best of my knights, the most worshipful! + And this very day to thy home thou shalt lead her + Who stands there--for thee such a pitiful pleader." + + A passion divine his being invades; + His eyes dart a lightning ray; + He sees of her blushes the changeful shades, + He sees her grow pallid and sink away! + Determination thorough him flashes, + And downward for life or for death he dashes! + + They hear the dull roar: 'tis returning again, + Announced by the thunderous brawl! + Downward they bend with loving strain: + They come! they are coming, the waters all!-- + They rush up!--they rush down! they rush ever and ever: + The youth to the daylight rises never! + + + _KNIGHT TOGGENBURG_. + + True love, knight, as to a brother, + Yield I you again; + Ask me not for any other, + For it gives me pain. + Calmly I behold you come in, + Calm behold you go; + Your sad eyes the weeping dumb in + I nor read nor know. + + And he hears her uncomplaining, + Tears him free by force; + To his heart but once her straining, + Flings him on his horse; + Sends to all his vassals merry + In old Switzerland; + To the holy grave they hurry, + White-crossed pilgrim band. + + Mighty deeds, the foe outbraving, + Works their hero-arm; + From their helms the plumes float waving + Mid the heathen swarm; + Still his "_Toggenburg_" upwaking + Frays the Mussulman; + But his heart its grievous aching + Quiet never can. + + One whole year he did endure it, + Then his patience lost; + Peace, he never could secure it, + And forsakes the host; + Sees a ship by Joppa's entry + At her cable saw; + Sails him home to that dear country + Where she breath doth draw. + + At the gate, her castle under, + Pilgrim sad, he knocked; + Straight, as with a word of thunder + Was the gate unlocked: + "She you seek, with rites most solemn + Is betrothed to heaven; + Yesterday, beneath that column, + She to Christ was given." + + Then the halls he leaves for ever + Of his ancestors; + Shield or sword sets eyes on never, + Or his faithful horse. + Down from Toggenburg he fareth, + None to see or care; + On his noble limbs he weareth + Sackcloth made of hair: + + And himself a hovel buildeth + That same cloister nigh, + Where the lime-tree thicket yieldeth + Cover whence to spy. + There, from morning's earliest traces + Till red evening shone, + Thither turned his hoping face is, + There he sits alone. + + On the walls so high above him, + His eyes waiting hang, + Waiting, though she would not love him, + For her lattice-clang-- + Waiting till the loved should send her + Glance into the vale, + And, unthinking, toward it bend her + Visage, angel-pale. + + Then he laid him, sadness scorning, + Comforted to sleep; + Quietly joyous till the morning + Out again should peep. + And so sat he, years a many, + Years without a pang, + Waiting without murmur any + Till her window rang-- + + For the lovely one to send her + Glance into the vale, + And, unseeing, toward him bend her + Angel visage pale. + And thus sat he, staring wanly, + His last morning there: + Toward her window still the manly + Silent face did stare. + + + _LONGING_. + + Ah, from out this valley hollow, + By cold fogs always oppressed, + Could I but the outpath follow-- + Ah, how were my spirit blest! + Hills I see there, glad dominions, + Ever young, and green for aye! + Had I wings, oh, had I pinions, + To the hills were I away! + + Harmonies I hear there ringing, + Tones of sweetest heavenly rest; + And the gentle winds are bringing + Balmy odours to my breast! + Golden fruits peep out there, glowing + Through the leaves to Zephyr's play; + And the flowers that there are blowing + Will become no winter's prey! + + Oh, what happy things are meeting + There, in endless sunshine free! + And the airs on those hills greeting, + How reviving must they be! + But me checks yon raving river + That betwixt doth chafe and roll; + And its dark waves rising ever + Strike a horror to my soul! + + See a skiff on wild wave heaving! + But no sailor walks the mole. + Quick into it, firm believing, + For its sails they have a soul! + Thou must trust, nor wait to ponder: + God will give no pledge in hand; + Nought but miracle bears yonder + To the lovely wonderland! + + + + +FROM GOETHE. + + POEMS + LEGEND + THE CASTLE ON THE MOUNTAIN + + + POEMS. + + Poems are painted window-panes: + Look from the square into the church-- + Gloom and dusk are all your gains! + Sir Philistine is left in the lurch: + Outside he stands--spies nothing or use of it, + And nought is left him save the abuse of it. + + But you, I pray you, just step in; + Make in the chapel your obeisance: + All at once 'tis a radiant pleasaunce: + Device and story flash to presence; + A gracious splendour works to win. + This to God's children is full measure: + It edifies and gives them pleasure. + + + _LEGEND_. + + AFTER THE MANNER OF HANS SACHS. + + While yet unknown, and very low, + Our Lord on earth went to and fro; + And some of his scholars his word so good + Very strangely misunderstood-- + He much preferred to hold his court + In streets and places of resort, + Because under the heaven's face + Words better and freer flow apace; + There he gave them the highest lore + Out of his holy mouth in store; + Wondrously, by parable and example, + Made every market-place a temple. + + So faring, in his heart content, + Once with them to a town he went-- + Saw something blinking on the way, + And there a broken horse-shoe lay! + He said thereon St. Peter to, + "Prithee now, pick up that shoe." + St. Peter was not in fitting mood: + He had been dreaming all the road + Some stuff about ruling of the world, + Round which so many brains are twirled-- + For in the head it seems so easy! + And with it his thoughts were often busy; + Therefore the finding was much too mean; + Crown and sceptre it should have been! + He was not one his back to bow + After half an iron-shoe! + Therefore aside his head he bended, + And that he had not heard pretended. + + In his forbearance the Lord did stoop + And lift himself the horse-shoe up; + Then for the present he did wait. + But when they reach the city-gate, + He goes up to a blacksmith's door, + Receives three pence the horse-shoe for; + And as they through the market fare, + Seeing for sale fine cherries there, + He buys of them so few or so many + As they will give for a three-penny; + Which he, thereon, after his way, + Up in his sleeve did quietly lay. + + Now, from the other gate, they trod + Through fields and meads a housless road; + The path of trees was desolate, + The sun shone out, the heat was great; + So that one in a region such + For a drink of water had given much. + The Lord goes ever before them all, + And as by chance lets a cherry fall: + In a trice St. Peter was after it there + As if a golden apple it were! + Sweet to his palate was the berry. + Then by and by, another cherry + Down on the ground the Master sends, + For which St. Peter as quickly bends. + So, many a time, the Lord doth let + Him bend his back a cherry to get. + A long time thus He let him glean; + Then said the Lord, with look serene: + "If at the right time thou hadst bent, + Thou hadst found it more convenient! + Of little things who little doth make + For lesser things must trouble take." + + + _THE CASTLE ON THE MOUNTAIN_. + + Up there, upon yonder mountain, + Stands a castle old, in the gorse, + Where once, behind doors and portals, + Lurking lay knight and horse. + + Burnt are the doors and the portals; + All round it is very still; + Its old walls, tumbled in ruins, + I scramble about at my will. + + Close hereby lay a cellar + Full of wine that was old and rare; + But the cheery maid with the pitchers + No more comes down the stair; + + No more in the hall, sedately + Sets the beaker before the guest; + No more at the festival stately, + The flagon fills for the priest; + + No more to the page so thirsty + Gives a draught in the corridor; + And receives for the hurried favour + The hurried thanks no more. + + For every rafter and ceiling + Long ago were to ashes burned, + And stair and passage and chapel + To rubbish and ruin turned. + + Yet when, with flask and cittern, + On a day in the summer's prime, + Up to the rocky summit + I watched my darling climb-- + + Out came the old joy reviving + On the face of the ancient rest, + And on went the old life driving, + In its lordliness and zest; + + It seemed as for strangers distinguished + Their state-rooms they did prepare, + And out of that brave time, shadowy + Came stepping a youthful pair. + + And the worthy priest in his chapel + Stood already in priestly dress, + And asked--Will you two take one another? + And smiling we answered--Yes; + + And the hymns with deep pulsation + Stirred every heart at once; + And instead of the congregation + The echo yelled response. + + And when, in the gathered evening, + Profound the stillness grew, + And the red-glowing sun at the broken + Gable came peering through, + + Then damsel and page, in his rays, are + Grandees of the olden prime; + She tastes of his cup at her leisure, + And he to thank her takes time. + + + + +FROM UHLAND. + + THE LOST CHURCH + THE DREAM + + + THE LOST CHURCH. + + In the far forest, overhead, + A bell is often heard obscurely; + How long since first, no one can tell-- + Nor can report explain it surely: + From the lost church, the rumour hath, + Out on the winds the ringing goeth; + Once full of pilgrims was the path-- + Now where to find it, no one knoweth. + + Deep in the wood I lately went + Where no foot-trodden way is lying; + From times corrupt, on evil bent, + My heart to God went out in sighing: + There, in the wild wood's deep repose, + I heard the ringing somewhat nearer; + The higher that my longing rose + Its peal grew fuller and came clearer. + + My thoughts upon themselves did brood; + My sense was with the sound so busy + That I have never understood + How I did climb that steep so dizzy. + It seemed more than a hundred years + Had passed me over, dreaming, sighing-- + When far above the clouds appears + An open space in sunlight lying. + + Dark-blue the heavens above it bowed; + The sun was radiant, large, and glowing; + And, see, a minister's structure proud + Stood in the rich light, golden showing. + The clouds around it, sunny-clear, + Seemed bearing it aloft like pinions; + Its spire-point seemed to disappear, + Slow vanishing in heaven's dominions. + + The bell's clear tones, of rapture full, + Boomed in the tower and made it quiver; + No mortal hand that rope did pull-- + A dumb storm made it swing and shiver. + It seemed to heave my throbbing breast, + That heavenly storm with torrent blended: + With wavering step, yet hopeful quest, + Into the church my way I wended. + + What met me there as in I trode + With syllables cannot be painted; + Darksome yet clear, the windows glowed + With forms of all the martyrs sainted. + Then saw I, radiantly unfurled, + Form swell to life and break its barriers; + I looked abroad into a world + Of holy women and God's warriors. + + Down at the alter I kneeled soft, + With love and prayer my heart allegiant: + Upon the ceiling, far aloft, + Was painted Heaven's resplendent pageant; + But when again I lift mine eyes, + Lo, the high vault has flown asunder! + The upward gate wide open lies, + And every veil unveils a wonder. + + What gloriousness I then beheld + With silent worship, speechless wonder; + What blessed sounds upon me swelled, + Like organs' and like trumpets' thunder-- + No human words could ever tell!-- + But who for such is sighing sorest, + Let him give heed unto the bell + That dimly soundeth in the forest. + + + _THE DREAM_. + + In a garden sweet went walking + Two lovers hand in hand; + Two pallid figures, low talking, + They sat in the flowery land. + + They kissed on the cheek one another, + And they kissed upon the mouth; + They held in their arms each the other, + And back came their health and youth. + + Two little bells rang shrilly-- + And the lovely dream was dead! + She lay in the cloister chilly; + He afar on his dungeon-bed. + + + + +FROM HEINE. + + LIEDER, IV. + LYRISCHES INTERMEZZO, XXXVIII. + " " XLI. + " " XLV. + " " LXIV. + DIE HEIMKEHR, LX. + " LXII. + DIE NORDSEE, FIRST CYCLE, XII. + + + + LIEDER. + + IV. + + Thy little hand lay on my bosom, dear: + What a knocking in that little chamber!--dost hear? + There dwelleth a carpenter evil, and he + Is hard at work on a coffin for me. + + He hammers and knocks by night and by day; + 'Tis long since he drove all my sleep away: + Ah, haste thee, carpenter, busy keep, + That I the sooner may go to sleep! + + + LYRISCHES INTERMEZZO. + + XXXVIII. + + The phantoms of times forgotten + Arise from out their grave, + And show me how once in thy presence + I lived the life it gave. + + In the day I wandered dreaming, + Through the streets with unsteady foot; + The people looked at me in wonder, + I was so mournful and mute. + + At night, then it was better, + For empty was the town; + I and my shadow together + Walked speechless up and down. + + My way, with echoing footstep, + Over the bridge I took; + The moon broke out of the waters, + And gave me a meaning look. + + I stopped before thy dwelling, + And gazed, and gazed again-- + Stood staring up at thy window, + My heart was in such pain. + + I know that thou from thy window + Didst often look downward--and + Sawest me, there in the moonlight, + A motionless pillar stand. + + + LYRISCHES INTERMEZZO. + + XLI. + + I dreamt of the daughter of a king, + With white cheeks tear-bewetted; + We sat 'neath the lime tree's leavy ring, + In love's embraces netted. + + "I would not have thy father's throne, + His crown or his golden sceptre; + I want my lovely princess alone-- + From Fate that so long hath kept her." + + "That cannot be," she said to me: + "I lie in the grave uncheerly; + And only at night I come to thee, + Because I love thee so dearly." + + + LYRISCHES INTERMEZZO. + + XLV. + + In the sunny summer morning + Into the garden I come; + The flowers are whispering and talking, + But for me, I wander dumb. + + The flowers are whispering and talking; + They pity my look so wan: + "Thou must not be cross with our sister, + Thou sorrowful, pale-faced man!" + + + LYRISCHES INTERMEZZO. + + LXIV. + + Night lay upon mine eyelids; + Upon my mouth lay lead; + With rigid brain and bosom, + I lay among the dead. + + How long it was I know not + That sleep oblivion gave; + I wakened up, and, listening, + Heard a knocking at my grave. + + "Tis time to rise up, Henry! + The eternal day draws on; + The dead are all arisen-- + The eternal joy's begun." + + "My love, I cannot raise me; + For I have lost my sight; + My eyes with bitter weeping + They are extinguished quite." + + "From thy dear eyelids, Henry, + I'll kiss the night away; + Thou shalt behold the angels, + And Heaven's superb display." + + "My love, I cannot raise me; + Still bleeds my bosom gored, + Where thou heart-deep didst stab me + With a keen-pointed word." + + "Soft I will lay it, Henry, + My hand soft on thy heart; + And that will stop its bleeding + And soothe at once the smart." + + "My love, I cannot raise me-- + My head is bleeding too; + When thou wast stolen from me + I shot it through and through!" + + "I with my tresses, Henry, + Will stop the fountain red; + Press back again the blood-stream, + And heal thy wounded head." + + She begged so sweetly, dearly, + I could no more say no; + I tried, I strove to raise me, + And to my darling go. + + Then the wounds again burst open; + With torrent force outbrake + From head and breast the blood-stream, + And, lo, I came awake! + + + _DIE HEIMKEHR_. + + LX. + + They have company this evening, + And the house is full of light; + Up there at the shining window + Moves a shadowy form in white. + + Thou seest me not--in the darkness + I stand here below, apart; + Yet less, ah less thou seest + Into my gloomy heart! + + My gloomy heart it loves thee, + Loves thee in every spot: + It breaks, it bleeds, it shudders--But + into it thou seest not! + + + LXII. + + Diamonds hast thou, and pearls, + And all by which men lay store; + And of eyes thou hast the fairest-- + Darling, what wouldst thou more? + + Upon thine eyes so lovely + Have I a whole army-corps + Of undying songs composed-- + Dearest, what wouldst thou more? + + And with thine eyes so lovely + Thou hast tortured me very sore, + And hast ruined me altogether-- + Darling, what wouldst thou more? + + + _DIE NORDSEE_ + + FIRST CYCLE. + + XII. + + _PEACE_. + + [Footnote: I have here used rimes although the original has none. With + notions of translating severer now than when, many years ago, I attempted + this poem, I should not now take such a liberty. In a few other points + also the translation is not quite close enough to please me; but it must + stand.] + + High in heaven the sun was glowing, + White cloud-waves were round him flowing; + The sea was still and grey. + Thinking in dreams, by the helm I lay: + Half waking, half in slumber, then + Saw I Christ, the Saviour of men. + In undulating garments white + He walked in giant shape and height + Over land and sea. + High in the heaven up towered his head; + His hands in blessing forth he spread + Over land and sea. + And for a heart, in his breast + He bore the sun; there did it rest. + The red, flaming heart of the Lord + Out its gracious radiance poured, + Its fair and love-caressing light + With illuminating and warming might + Over land and sea. + + Sounds of solemn bells that go + Through the air to and fro, + Drew, like swans in rosy traces, + With soft, solemn, stately graces, + The gliding ship to the green shore-- + Peopled, for many a century hoar, + By men who dwell at rest in a mighty + Far-spreading and high-towered city. + + Oh, wonder of peace, how still was the town! + The hollow tumult had all gone down + Of the babbling and stifling trades; + And through each clean and echoing street + Walked men and women, and youths and maids, + White clothes wearing, + Palm branches bearing; + And ever and always when two did meet, + They gazed with eyes that plain did tell + They understood each other well; + And trembling, in self-renouncement and love, + Each a kiss on the other's forehead laid, + And looked up to the Saviour's sunheart above, + Which, in joyful atoning, its red blood rayed + Down upon all; and the people said, + From hearts with threefold gladness blest, + Lauded be Jesus Christ! + + + + +FROM VON SALIS-SEEWIS. + + THE GRAVE. + PSYCHE'S MOURNING. + + + THE GRAVE. + + The grave is deep and soundless, + Its brink is ghastly lone; + With veil all dark and boundless + It hides a land unknown. + + The nightingale's sweet closes + Down there come not at all; + And friendship's withered roses + On the mossy hillock fall. + + Their hands young brides forsaken + Wring bleeding there in vain; + The cries of orphans waken + No answer to their pain. + + Yet nowhere else for mortals + Dwells their implored repose; + Through none but those dark portals + Home to his rest man goes. + + The poor heart, here for ever + By storm on storm beat sore, + Its true peace gaineth never + But where it beats no more. + + + PSYCHES MOURNING. + + Psyche moans, in deep-sunk, darksome prison, + For redemption; ah! for light she aches; + Fears, hopes, after every noise doth listen-- + Whether Fate her bars of iron breaks. + + Bound are Psyche's pinions--airy, soaring; + Yet high-hearted is she, groaning low; + Knows that under clouds whence rain is pouring + Sprouts the palm that crowns the victor's brow; + + Knows among the thorns the rose yet reigneth; + Golden flowers spring from the desert grave + She her garland through denial gaineth, + And her strength is steeled by winds that rave. + + 'Tis through lack that she her blisses buyeth; + Sorrow's dream comes true by longing long; + Lest light break the sleep wherein she lieth, + Round her tree of life the shadows throng. + + Psyche's wail is but a fluted sadness + Heard from willows the moon silvereth; + Psyche's tears are dews of morning redness, + And her sighs the sweet night-violet's breath! + + Yews o'ershade the myrtle of her probation; + Much she loves for great has been her dole; + Love leads through the paths of separation, + Leads her to reunion's joyous goal. + + She endures; bravely bears every burden, + Dumb before the will of Fate bends low; + Lies her bliss the patient tranquil word in; + Her one cordial, feeling's overflow! + + Preconviction--ah! the call, the token, + Spreading wings the darksome sky to cleave! + 'Tis but boding! 'tis but knowledge broken! + Truth's but what she truly doth believe! + + Darkness hides the goal of Psyche's mission; + For the eyes that tears so often gall + Reach not to the summit of completion + Where illusion's vaporous veil doth fall! + + + + +FROM CLAUDIUS. + + THE MOTHER BY THE CRADLE + CONTENTMENT + + + _THE MOTHER BY THE CRADLE_. + + Sleep, baby boy, sleep sweet, secure; + Thy father's very miniature! + That art thou, though thy father goes + And says that thou hast not his nose. + + This very moment here was he, + His face o'er thine did pose + And said--Much has he sure of me, + But no, 'tis not my nose. + + I think myself, it is too small, + But it is _his_ nose after all; + For if thy nose his nose be not, + Whence came the nose that thou hast got? + + Sleep, boy! thy father only chose + To tease me--that's his part! + Never you mind about his nose, + But see you have his heart. + + + _CONTENTMENT_. + + I am content. In triumph's tone + My song, let people know! + And many a mighty man, with throne + And sceptre, is not so. + And if he is, why then, I cry, + The man is just the same as I. + + The Mogul's gold, the Sultan's show, + The hero's bliss, who, vext + To find no other world below, + Up to the moon looked next-- + I'd none of them; for things like that + Are only fit for laughing at. + + My motto is--Content with this. + Gold--rank--I prize not such. + That which I have, my measure is; + Wise men desire not much. + Men wish and wish, and have their will, + And wish again, as hungry still. + + And gold or honour, though it rings, + Is but a brittle glass; + Experience of changing things + Might teach a very ass! + Right often Many turns to None, + And honour has but a short run. + + To do right, to be good and clear, + Is more than rank and gold; + Then art thou always of good cheer, + And blisses hast untold; + Then art thou with thyself at one, + And hatest no man, fearest none. + + I am content. In triumph's tone, + My song, let people know! + And many a mighty man, with throne + And sceptre, is not so. + And if he is, why then, I cry, + The man is just the same as I. + + + + +FROM GENESTET. + + + THREE PAIRS AND ONE. + + You have two ears--and but one mouth: + Let this, friend, be a token-- + Much should be heard, and not so much + Be spoken. + + You have two eyes--and but one mouth: + That is an indication-- + Much must you see, but little serves + Relation. + + You have two hands--and but one mouth: + Receive the hint you meet with-- + For labour two, but only one + To eat with. + + + + +FROM THE GERMAN + + + _SONG OF THE LONELY_. + + Son, first-born, at home abiding! + All without is cold and bare: + Hide me from the tempest's chiding + Warm beside the Father's chair. + + I am homesick, Lord of splendour! + Twilight fills my soul with fright: + Let thy countenance befriend her, + Shining from the halls of light. + + I am homesick, loving Father! + Long years hath the pain increased: + Soon, oh soon! thy children gather + To the endless marriage-feast. + + + + +FROM PETRARCH. + + + PART I. SONNET LIX. + + I am so weary with the burden old + Of foregone faults, and power of custom base, + That much I fear to perish from the ways, + And fall into my enemy's grim fold. + True, a high friend, to free me, not with gold, + Came, of ineffable and utmost grace-- + Then straightway vanished from before my face, + So that in vain I strive him to behold. + But his voice yet comes echoing below: + O ye that labour, the way open lies! + Come unto me lest some one shut the gate! + --What heavenly grace--what love will--or what fate-- + The pinions of a dove on me bestow + That I may rest, and from the earth arise? + + + PART II. SONNET LXXV. + + The elect angels and the souls in bliss, + The citizens of heaven, when, that first day, + My lady passed from me and went their way, + Of marvel and pity full, did round her press. + "What light is this, and what new loveliness?" + They said among them; "for such sweet display + Did never mount, that from the earth did stray + To this high dwelling, all this age, we guess!"[1] + She, well content her lodging chang'd to find, + Shows perfect, by her peers most perfect placed; + And now and then half turning looks behind + To see if I walk in the way she traced: + Hence I lift heavenward all my heart and mind + Because I hear her pray me to make haste. + + [Footnote 1: Pure English of Petrarch's time.] + + + + +MILTON'S ITALIAN POEMS. + + The Italian scholar will understand that the retention of the feminine + rimes in translation from this language is an impossibility. + + + I. + + O Lady fair, whose honoured name doth grace + Green vale and noble ford of Rheno's stream-- + Of all worth void the man I surely deem + Whom thy fair soul enamoureth not apace, + When softly self-revealed to time and space + By actions sweet with which thy will doth teem, + And fair gifts that Love's bow and arrows seem-- + But are the flowers that crown thy perfect race. + When thou dost lightsome talk or gladsome sing,-- + A power to draw the hill-trees, rooted hard-- + The doors of eyes and ears let that man keep + Who knows himself unworthy thy regard! + Grace from above alone him help can bring + That Passion in his heart strike not too deep. + + + II. + + As in the twilight brown, on hillside bare, + Useth to go the little shepherd maid, + Watering some strange fair plant, poorly displayed, + Ill thriving in unwonted soil and air + Far from its native springtime's genial care; + So on my ready tongue hath Love assayed + In a strange speech to wake new flower and blade, + While I of thee, proud yet so debonair, + Sing songs whose sense is to my people lost-- + Yield the fair Thames, and the fair Arno gain. + Love willed it so, and I, at others' cost, + Already knew Love never willed in vain: + Would my heart slow and bosom hard were found + To him who plants from heaven so fair a ground! + + + III. + + CANZONE. + + Ladies, and youths that in their favour bask, + With mocking smiles come round me: Prithee, why, + Why dost thou with an unknown language cope, + Love-riming? Whence thy courage for the task? + Tell us--so never frustrate be thy hope, + And the best thought still to thy thinking fly! + Thus me they mock: Thee other streams, they cry, + Thee other shores, another sea demands + Upon whose verdant strands + Are budding, even this moment, for thy hair + Immortal guerdon, bays that will not die: + An over-burden on thy back why bear?-- + Song, I will tell thee; thou for me reply: + My lady saith--and her word is my heart-- + This is Love's mother-tongue, and fits his part. + + + IV. + + Diodati--and I muse to tell the tale-- + This stubborn I, that Love was wont despise + And make a laughter of his snares, unwise, + Am fallen--where honest feet will sometimes fail. + Not golden tresses, not a cheek vermeil, + Dazzle me thus; but, in a new-world guise, + A foreign Fair my heart beatifies-- + With mien where high-souled modesty I hail; + Eyes softly splendent with a darkness dear; + A speech that more than one tongue vassal hath; + A voice that in the middle hemisphere + Might make the tired moon wander from her path; + While from her eyes such gracious flashes shoot + That stopping hard my ears were little boot. + + + V. + + Certes, my lady sweet, your blessed eyes-- + It cannot be but that they are my sun; + As strong they smite me as he smites upon + The man whose way o'er Libyan desert lies, + The while a vapour hot doth me surprise + From that side springing where my pain doth won: + Perchance accustomed lovers--I am none + And know not--in their speech call such things sighs: + A part shut in, sore vexed, itself conceals, + And shakes my bosom; part, undisciplined, + Breaks forth, and all around to ice congeals; + But that which to mine eyes the way doth find, + Makes all my nights in silent showers abound, + Until my dawn[1] returns, with roses crowned. + + [Footnote 1: _Alba_--where I suspect a hint at the lady's name.] + + + VI. + + A modest youth, in love a simpleton, + When to escape myself I seek and shift, + Lady, I of my heart the humble gift + Vow unto thee. In trials many a one, + True, brave, I've found it, firm to things begun; + By gracious, prudent, worthy thoughts uplift. + When roars the great world, in the thunder-rift, + Its own self, armour adamant, it will don, + From chance and envy as securely barred, + From fears and hopes that still the crowd abuse, + As inward gifts and high worth coveting, + And the resounding lyre, and every Muse: + There only wilt thou find it not so hard + Where Love hath fixed his ever cureless sting. + + + + +LUTHER'S SONG-BOOK. + + + DAME MUSIC. + + Of all the joys earth possesses, + None the gladness fine surpasses + Which I give you with my singing, + And with much harmonious ringing. + + An evil spirit cannot dwell + Where companions are singing well; + Here strife, wrath, envy, hate, are not; + Every heartache must leave the spot: + Greed, care, all things that hard oppress + Troop off with great unwillingness. + + Also each man is free to this-- + For such a joy no trespass is, + God himself pleasing better far + Than all the joys on earth that are; + It breaks the toils by Satan spun, + And many a murder keeps undone. + + Of this, King David is the proof, + Who often Saul did hold aloof, + All with his harping sweet and well, + That he not into murder fell. + + For God's own truth, in word and will + It makes the heart ready and still; + That knew Elisha well, I wot, + When he the Spirit by harping got. + + The best time of the year is mine, + When all the little birds sing fine, + Fill heaven and earth full of their strain: + Much good singing is going then; + The nightingale the lead she takes, + And everything right merry makes + With her gladsome lovely song, + For which great thanks to her belong. + + But more to our dear Lord God, much, + Who has created the bird such, + A songstress of the true right sort, + A mistress of the music-art: + She sings and springs, both nights and days, + To him, not weary of his praise. + Him lauding come my songs as well, + My everlasting thanks to tell. + + + + + LUTHER'S SONG-BOOK. + + + I. ADVENT + + II. CHRISTMAS + + III. EPIPHANY + + IV. EASTER + + V. PENTECOST + + VI. THE TRINITY + + VII. THE CHURCH AND WORD OF GOD + + VIII. GRACE + + IX. THE COMMANDMENTS + + X. THE CREED + + XI. PRAYER + + XII. BAPTISM + + XIII. REPENTANCE + + XIV. THE LORD'S SUPPER + + XV. DEATH + + XVI. THE PRAISE OF GOD + + OF LIFE AT COURT + + + + I. ADVENT. + + Come, saviour of nations wild, + Of the maiden owned the child + That may wonder all the earth + God should grant it such a birth. + + Not of man's flesh or man's blood + Only of the Spirit of God + Is God's Word a man become, + And blooms the fruit of woman's womb. + + Maiden, she was found with child, + Nor was chastity defiled; + Many a virtue from her shone: + God was there upon his throne. + + From that chamber of content, + Royal palace pure, he went; + God by kind, in human grace + Forth he comes to run his race. + + From the Father came his road, + And returns again to God; + Unto hell it did go down, + Up then to the Father's throne. + + Thou, the Father's form express, + Get thee victory in the flesh, + That thy godlike power in us + Make sick flesh victorious. + + Shines thy manger bright and fair; + Sets the night a new star there: + Darkness thence must keep away; + Faith dwells ever in the day. + + Honour unto God be done; + Honour to his only son; + Honour to the Holy Ghost, + Now, and ever, ending not. Amen. + + + + II. CHRISTMAS. + + I. + + Jesus we now must laud and sing, + The maiden Mary's son and king, + Far as the blessed sun doth shine, + And reaches to earth's utmost line.[1] + + [Footnote 1: Luther's own construction.] + + The blessed maker of all we view + On him a servant's body drew, + The flesh to save at flesh's cost, + Else his creation had been lost. + + From heaven high the Godlike grace + In the chaste mother found a place; + A secret pledge a maiden bore-- + A thing to earth unknown before. + + The tender heart, house modest, low, + Straightway a temple of God did grow: + Whom never man hath touched or known + By God's word she with child is grown. + + The noble mother hath brought forth + Whom Gabriel promised to the earth; + Him John did greet in joyous way + While in his mother's womb he lay. + + Right poorly lies in hay the boy; + Th' hard manger him did not annoy; + A little milk made him content + Away who no bird hungry sent. + + Therefore the heavenly choir is loud; + The angels sing their praise to God, + And tell poor men their flocks who keep + He's come who made and keeps their sheep. + + Praise, honour, thanks, to thee be said, + Christ Jesus, born of holy maid! + With God the Father and Holy Ghost, + Now and for ever, ending not. Amen! + + + II. + + A Song of Praise for the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. + + Praised be thou, O Jesus Christ, + That a man on earth thou liest! + Born of a maiden--it is true-- + In this exults the heavenly crew. + Kyrioleis.[2] + [Footnote 2: (Greek) kurie elxaeson: _Lord, have mercy_.] + + The Father's only son begot + In the manger has his cot, + In our poor dying flesh and blood + Doth mask itself the eternal Good. + Kyrioleis. + + Whom all the world could not enwrap + Lieth he in Mary's lap; + A little child he now is grown + Who everything upholds alone. + Kyrioleis. + + In him the eternal light breaks through, + Gives the world a glory new; + A great light shines amid the night, + And makes us children of the light. + Kyrioleis. + + The Father's son, so _God_ his name, + A guest into this world he came; + And leads us from the vale of tears: + He in his palace make us heirs. + Kyrioleis. + + Poor to the earth he cometh thus, + Pity so to take on us; + And makes us rich in heaven above, + And like the angels of his love. + Kyrioleis. + + All this for us hath Jesus done, + And his great love to us hath shown: + Let Christendom rejoice therefore, + And give him thanks for evermore! + Kyrioleis. + + + III + + A SONG OF THE LITTLE CHILD JESUS, FOR CHILDREN AT CHRISTMAS. + TAKEN OUT OF THE SECOND CHAPTER OF THE GOSPEL OF ST. LUKE. + + From heaven high I come to you, + I bring a story good and new: + Of goodly news so much I bring, + Of it I must both speak and sing. + + To you a child is come this morn, + A child of chosen maiden born, + A little babe so sweet and mild + Your joy and bliss shall be that child. + + 'Tis the Lord Christ, our very God. + He will you ease of all your load; + He'll be himself your Saviour sure + And from all sinning make you pure. + + He brings you all the news so glad + Which God the Father ready had-- + That you shall in his heavenly house + Live now and evermore with us. + + Take heed then to the token sure-- + The crib, the swaddling clothes so poor: + The infant you shall find laid there + Who all the world doth hold and bear. + + Hence let us all be gladsome then, + And with the shepherd-folk go in + To see what God to us hath given + With his dear honoured Son from heaven. + + Take note, my heart; see there! look low: + What lies then in the manger so? + Whose is the lovely little child? + It is the darling Jesus-child. + + Hail, noble guest in humble guise, + Poor sinners who didst not despise, + And com'st to me in misery! + My thoughts must all be thanks to thee! + + Ah Lord! the maker of us all! + How hast thou grown so poor and small + That there thou liest on withered grass, + The supper of the ox and ass! + + Were the world wider many fold, + And decked with gems and cloth of gold, + 'T were far too mean and narrow all + To be for thee a cradle small! + + The silk and velvet that are thine + Are rough hay, linen not too fine; + Thereon thou, king so rich and great, + Liest as if in heavenly state. + + And this hath therefore pleased thee, + To make this truth right plain to me, + That all the world's power, honour, wealth + Are nothing to thy heart or health. + + Ah, little Christ! my heart's poor shed + Would make thee a soft, little bed: + Rest there as in a lowly shrine, + And make that heart for ever thine, + + That so I always gladsome be, + Ready to dance, and sing to thee + The lullaby thou lovest best, + With sweetest hymn for dearest guest. + + Glory to God on highest throne + Who gave to us his only Own! + For this the angel troop sings in + A New Year with gladsome din. + + + IV. + + ANOTHER CHRIST-SONG. + + From heaven the angel-troop come near + And to the shepherds plain appear: + A tender little child, they cry, + In a rough manger lies hard by, + + In Bethlehem, David's town of old, + As Prophet Micah has foretold; + 'Tis the Lord Jesus Christ, I wis, + Who of you all the saviour is. + + And ye may well break out in mirth + That God is one with you henceforth; + For he is born your flesh and blood-- + Your brother is the eternal Good. + + He will nor can from you go hence; + Put you in him your confidence. + However many you assail, + Defy them--He can never fail! + + What can death do to you, or sin? + The true God is to you come in. + Let hell and Satan raging go-- + The Son of God's your comrade now! + + At last you must approval win, + For you are now become God's kin: + For this go thanking God alway, + Happy and patient every day. Amen. + + + + III. EPIPHANY. + + Herod, why dreadest thou a foe + Because the Christ comes born below? + He seeks no mortal kingdom thus, + But brings his kingdom down to us. + + After the star the wise men go: + That light the true light them did show; + They signify with presents three + This child--God, Man, and King to be. + + In Jordan baptism he did take, + This Lamb of God, for our poor sake; + Thus he who never did a sin + Hath washed us clean both out and in. + + A miracle straightway befell: + Six pots of stone--they saw, who tell-- + Of water full, which, changing, heard + And turned to red wine at his word. + + Praise, honour, thanks to thee be said, + Jesus, born of the holy maid! + With the Father and the Holy Ghost, + Now, and henceforward, evermore. Amen. + + + + IV. EASTER. + + I. + + Death held our Lord in prison + For sin that did undo us; + But he hath up arisen + And brought our life back to us. + Therefore must we gladsome be, + Praise our God, and thankful be, + And sing out halleluja! Halleluja! + + No man yet Death overcame-- + All sons of men were helpless; + Sin for this was all to blame, + For no one yet was guiltless. + So Death came that early hour, + Over us took up the power, + Us held in's kingdom captive. Halleluja! + + Jesus Christ, God's only Son, + Into our place descending, + Away with all our sins hath done, + And therewith from Death rending + Right and might, made him a jape, + Left him nothing but Death's shape: + His ancient sting--he has lost it: Halleluja! + + That was a right wondrous strife + When Death in Life's grip wallowed: + Off victorious came Life, + Death he hath upswallowed. + Scripture itself has told us that-- + How one Death the other ate:[3] + Now is Death become a laughter. Halleluja! + + [Footnote 3: Certain eastern tales of rival enchanters seem to have been + present to Luther's mind when he thought of our Lord as the Death of Evil + devouring the Death of Good. I have translated very closely.] + + Here is the true Easter-lamb, + That God said must be shared, + Which up on the cross's stem + In Love's fire is prepared. + His blood on our door-post lies; + Faith holds that before Death's eyes: + The destroyer dares not touch us: Halleluja! + + So we keep high feast of grace! + Hearty the joy and glee is + That shines on us from his face: + The sun himself, ah! he is, + Who, by his brightness divine, + Through and through makes our hearts shine: + The night of our sins is over. Halleluja! + + We eat--and well so we fare-- + True Easter cakes sans leaven; + For th' old leaven shall not share + In the new word from heaven. + Christ himself will be the food, + He alone fill us with good: + Faith will live on nothing other. Halleluja! + + + II. A SONG OF PRAISE FOR EASTER. + + Jesus Christ, our Saviour true + He who Death overthrew, + Is up arisen, + And sin hath put in prison. + Kyrieeleison. + + Born whom Mary sinless hath, + Bore he for us God's wrath, + Hath reconciled us: + Favour God doth now yield us. + Kyrieeleison. + + Death and sin, and life and grace, + All to his hands we trace: + He can deliver + All who seek the life-giver. + Kyrieeleison. + + + + V. PENTECOST. + + I. + + Come, God, Creator, Holy Ghost, + Visit the heart of all thy men; + Fill them with grace the way thou know'st: + What was thine, make so again; + + Our Comforter to soothe or chide; + The blessed gift of highest God! + A ghostly chrism to us applied, + Live streams--fire--love spread abroad! + + O kindle in our minds a light; + Give in our hearts love's glowing gift; + Our weak flesh, known to thee aright, + With thy strength and grace uplift. + + In giving gifts thou art sevenfold-- + The finger thou on God's right hand! + His word by thee right soon is told + With clov'n tongues in every land. + + Drive far the cunning of the foe; + Thy grace bring peace and make us whole, + That we glad after thee may go, + And shun that which hurts the soul. + + Teach us to know the Father right, + And Jesus Christ, his son, that so + We may with faith be filled quite, + Spirit of both, thee to know! + + Praise God the Father, and the Son + Who from the dead arose in power; + Like praise to the Consoling One, + Evermore and every hour! Amen. + + + II. + + Come, Holy Spirit, Lord and God, + Fill full with thine own gracious good + Thy faithful ones' heart, mind, desire! + Light in them of thy love the fire. + O Lord, through thy light, flashing fast, + Into the faith thou gathered hast + People of all tongues under heaven: + That to thy glory, Lord, be given! + Halleluja! Halleluja! + + Thou holy light, retreat from strife, + Cause shine on us the word of life, + That we the truth of God gather, + Call him heartily our Father. + O Lord, protect us from strange lore, + That we for teachers seek no more, + But with true faith Jesus solely, + And him with all our might trust wholly: + Halleluja! Halleluja! + + Thou holy fire, thou comfort sweet, + Now help us; with good cheer us meet; + That in thy service nought shake us, + Trouble never leave thee make us. + O Lord, by thy might us prepare, + And make the weak flesh strong to bear, + That we strive[4] like knights campaigning, + Through death and life to thee straining: + Halleluja! Halleluja! + + [Footnote 4: The Scotch _warsle_ would be perfect.] + + + III. + + A SONG OF PRAISE. + + Now let us pray the Holy Ghost, + Of all things, for the true faith most, + In that to preserve us when we are dying, + And going home out of this vale of crying: + Kyrioleis. + + Thou noble light, shine as thou hast shone; + Teach us to know Jesus Christ alone, + That we the true Saviour hold by the hand + Who us has brought to the real fatherland: + Kyrioleis. + + Thou sweet Love, grant us thy favour, that so + We feel of thy love the inward glow, + That we from our hearts may love each the other, + Dwelling in peace, of one mind together: + Kyrioleis. + + Comfort highest, in danger or blame + Help us to fear neither death nor shame; + Nor let weak senses with fears confuse us + When the enemy comes to accuse us: + Kyrioleis. + + + + VI. THE TRINITY. + + I. + + God, the Father, with us be, + Let us not fall to badness; + Make us from all sinning free, + And help us die in gladness. + 'Gainst the devil well us ware, + And keep our faith from failing, + Our hope in thee from quailing. + Our hearts upon thee staying, + Make us wholly trust thy care! + Us, with good Christians sharing, + Save from the devil snaring, + Him with God's weapons daring. + Amen! well now may we fare! + Now sing we Halleluja! + + Jesus, Master, with us be, + Let us not fall to badness; &c. + + Holy Spirit, with us be, + Let us not fall to badness; &c. + + + II. + + Thou who art three in unity, + A true God from eternity, + The sun's daylight withdraws his shine: + Lighten us with thy light divine. + + At morn we praise thee with the day, + At evening, too, to thee we pray; + Our poor song glorifieth thee + Now, ever, and eternally. + + God, Father, always be adored! + God, Son, thou art our only Lord! + Thee Comforter, the Holy Ghost, + We praise now and for evermore! Amen. + + + + VII. THE CHURCH AND WORD OF GOD. + + I. + + THE TWELFTH PSALM. + + Ah God, from heaven look down and view; + Let it thy pity waken; + Behold thy saints how very few! + We wretches are forsaken. + Thy word they grant nor true nor right, + And faith is thus extinguished quite + Among the sons of Adam. + + They teach a cunning false and fine-- + In their own wits they found it; + Their heart in one doth not combine, + Nor on God's word they ground it; + One chooses this, the other that; + Endless division they are at, + And yet they keep smooth faces. + + God will outroot the teachers all + Who with false shows present us; + Besides, their proud tongues loudly call-- + Tush! tush!--who can prevent us? + We have the right and might in full; + And what we say, that is the rule; + Who dares to give us lessons! + + Therefore saith God: I must be up; + My poor ones ill are faring; + Their sighs crowd up to Zion's top. + My ear their cry is hearing. + My wholesome word shall speedily + With comfort fill them, fresh and free, + And strength be to the needy. + + Silver that seven times is tried + With fire, is found the purer; + God's word the same test must abide-- + It still comes out the surer. + It shall by crosses proved be; + Men shall its power and glory see + Shine strong upon the nations. + + God will its purity defend + From this ill generation. + Let us ourselves to thee commend + Lest we fall from our station; + The godless rout is all around + Where these rude wanton ones are found + Against thy folk exalted. + + + II. + + THE FOURTEENTH PSALM. + + Although the fools say with their mouth: + Great God, we magnify him; + Their heart cares nothing for the truth, + In action they deny him. + Their being is corrupted quite; + To God it is a horrid sight; + Not one of them works goodness. + + From heaven God downward cast his eye + Upon men's sons so many; + He set himself to look and spy + If he could find out any + Who their own reason up had stirred + Earnestly to obey God's word, + After his will enquiring. + + Upon the right path there was none; + From it they all were straying; + Each followed fancies of his own, + Them to ill deeds bewraying. + Not one of them did good even once, + Though many, fooled by arrogance, + Thought God with them well pleased. + + How long by lies will they be led + Who vain attempts redouble! + They eat my people up as bread, + And live upon their trouble! + In God stands not their confidence; + From ill they ask not his defence: + They would themselves look after. + + Therefore their heart is never still + But always full of fearing. + Dwell with the good the Father will, + Those who have ears for hearing. + But ye despise the poor man's ways, + And scorn at everything he says + Concerning God his comfort. + + Who will to Israel, poor flock-- + To Zion send salvation? + God will take pity on his folk, + And free his captive nation; + That will he do through Christ his Son-- + And then is Jacob's weeping done, + And Isr'el filled with gladness. Amen. + + + III. + + THE FOURTY-SIXTH PSALM. + + Our God he is a castle strong, + A good mail-coat and weapon; + He sets us free from every wrong + That wickedness would heap on. + The ancient wicked foe + He means earnest now; + Force and cunning sly + His horrid policy,-- + On earth there's no one like him! + + Our strength is vain; do what we can + Our hopes are soon dejected; + But He fights for us, the right man, + By God himself elected. + Ask'st thou who is this? + Jesus Christ it is; + He is the Lord of Hosts + In whom his people boasts; + And he must win the battle. + + And did the world with devils swarm + All gaping to devour us, + We fear not from them the least harm; + Success lies sure before us. + This world's prince accurst, + Let him rage his worst, + Only roars about; + His doom it is gone out, + A word can overthrow him. + + The Word they'll have to let it bide, + Nor there claim any merit; + He is with us, and on our side + With his own gifts and spirit! + Let them take our life, + Goods, name, child, and wife-- + Everything may go: + To them it is no gain; + The kingdom ours remaineth. + + + IV. + + THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH PSALM. + + Were God not with us all the time-- + Israel may loud declare it-- + Were God not with us all the time, + We must have now despaired; + For we are such a little flock + Despised by such a crowd of folk, + Who all do set upon us! + + 'Gainst us so angry is their mood, + If God had given them tether + Us they had swallowed where we stood, + Body and soul together. + We should have been drowned all, like those + O'er whom the waters great did close, + And swept them off relentless. + + Thank God! their throat who did not let + Us swallow when it gaped; + As from a snare a bird doth flit + So is our soul escaped. + The snare's in two, and we are through: + The name of God it standeth true, + The God of earth and heaven. Amen. + + + V. + + A CHILDREN'S SONG, TO SING AGAINST THE TWO ARCHENEMIES OF CHRIST AND HIS + HOLY CHURCH, THE POPE AND THE TURKS. + + Lord, keep us by thy word in hope, + And check the murder of Turk and Pope, + Who Jesus Christ, thine only Son, + Would fain from off thy throne cast down. + + Proof of thy strength, Lord Christ, afford, + For thou of all the lords art Lord; + Thy own poor Christendom defend, + That it may praise thee without end. + + God Holy Ghost, who Comfort art, + Give to thy folk on earth one heart; + Stand by us breathing our last breath; + Into life lead us out of death. + + + VI. + + A SONG OF THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FROM THE TWELFTH CHAPTER OF THE + APOCALYPSE. + + Her, the worthy maid, my heart doth hold, + And I shall not forget her. + Praise, honour, virtue of her are told; + Than all I love her better. + I seek her good, + And if I should + Right evil fare, + I do not care: + With that she'll make me merry! + With love and truth that never tire + Glad she will make me very, + And do all my desire. + + She wears a crown of pure gold, where + Twelve stars their rays are twining; + Her raiment like the sun is fair, + And bright from far is shining. + Her feet the moon + Are set upon; + She is the bride + By Jesus' side! + She hath sorrow, must be mother + To her fair child, the noble Son, + Of all men lord and brother, + Her king, her crowned one. + + That makes the old dragon ramp and roar; + The child he tries to swallow; + His rage is rage and nothing more! + No hurt that rage will follow. + The child up high + Into the sky + Away is heft, + And he is left + On earth, all mad with murder. + The mother all alone is she, + But God will watch and ward her, + And her true Father be. + + + VII. + + A SONG CONCERNING THE TWO MARTYRS OF CHRIST, BURNT AT BRUSSELS BY THE + SOPHISTS OF LOUBAINE, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE YEAR 1523. + + A new song here shall be begun-- + The Lord God help our singing!-- + Of what our God himself hath done, + Praise, honour to him bringing: + At Brussels in the Netherlands, + By two young boys, He gracious + Displays the wonders of his hands, + Giving them gifts right precious, + And richly them adorning. + + The first right fitly John was named, + So rich he in God's favour; + His brother, Henry--one unblamed, + Whose salt had lost no savour. + From this world they are gone away, + The diadem they've gained! + Honest, like God's good children, they + For his word life disdained, + And have become his martyrs. + + The ancient foe on them laid hold, + With terrors did enwrap them; + To lie against God's word them told, + With cunning would entrap them: + From Louvaine too, to see the game + And in his crust nets take them, + Many a sophist gathered came: + The Spirit fools did make them-- + Their cunning could gain nothing. + + Oh! they sung sweet, and they sung sour; + Oh! they tried every double; + The boys they stood firm as a tower, + And mocked the sophists' trouble. + The serpent old it filled with hate + To be thuswise defeated + By two such youngsters--he, so great!-- + His wrath sevenfold was heated, + And he resolved to burn them. + + Their cloister-garments off they tore, + Undid their consecrations; + All this the boys were ready for, + And said Amen with patience. + To God their Father they gave thanks + That they would soon be rescued + From Satan's scoffs and mumming pranks, + Whereby with false pretences + The world he so befooleth. + + Then gracious God did grant to them + To pass true priesthood's border, + And offer up themselves to him, + Thus entering Christ's own order; + So to the world to die outright, + With falsehood make a schism; + And coming to heaven pure and white + Give monkery the besom, + And leave behind men's prattle. + + They wrote for them a paper small: + At their request they read it; + They showed them every point there, all + To which themselves gave credit. + There was an error great indeed! + In God we should trust solely: + To cheat and lie, man maketh speed; + We should distrust him wholly: + For that they burn to ashes. + + Two awful fires they kindled then, + The boys they carried to them; + Great wonder seizes every man + That with contempt they view them. + With joy themselves they yielded quite, + With singing and God-praising: + The sophists had small appetite + For these new things so dazing + Which God was thus revealing. + + They now repent the deed of blame, + Would gladly gloze it over; + They dare not glory in their shame; + The facts almost they cover. + In their hearts gnaweth infamy-- + They to their friends deplore it: + The Spirit cannot silent be; + Good Abel's blood out-poured + Must still old Cain discover! + + To spread, their ashes will not cease; + Into all lands they scatter; + Stream, hole, ditch, grave will them release; + All winds shall tell the matter. + Them whom from life their murderous hand + Drove down to silence triple, + They hear them now in every land, + In tongues of every people, + Go about gladly singing. + + Still their foul lies they will not leave, + But trim and dress the murther; + The fable false which out they give + Shows conscience grinds them further. + God's holy ones, even after death, + They still go on belying; + They say that with their latest breath + The boys, in act of dying, + Repented and recanted! + + Let them lie on for evermore-- + Nothing by that they're gaining; + For us, we thank our God therefore: + His word is yet remaining! + Even at the door is summer nigh, + The winter hard is ended, + The tender flowers come out to spy: + His hand when once extended + Stays not till it has finished. Amen. + + + VIII. GRACE. + + I. + + THE SIXTY-SEVENTH PSALM. + + Would that the Lord would grant us grace, + And in his volume write us! + With its clear shining let his face + To life eternal light us; + That we may know his work at length, + And what men him have faith in; + And Jesus Christ our health and strength + Be known to all the heathen, + And unto God convert them. + + God then will thank, and thee will praise + The heathen with glad voices; + Let all the world for joy upraise + A song with mighty noises, + Because thou art earth's judge, O Lord, + Nor leav'st the righteous quailing; + Thy word it is both bed and board, + And for all folk availing + In the right path to keep them. + + Let them thank God, and thee adore, + Thy folk of deeds of grace full. + The land grows fruitful more and more; + Thy word it is successful. + Bless us the Father and the Son, + And bless us, God, the Holy Ghost, + To whom by all be honour done! + Before him fear the human host! + Now heartily say Amen. + + + II. + + THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH PSALM. + + Happy who in God's fear doth stay, + And in it goeth on his way; + Thine own hand thee shall find thy food, + So liv'st thou right, and all is good. + + So shall thy wife be, in thy house, + Like vine with clusters plenteous, + Thy children sit thy table round + Like olive plants all fresh and sound. + + See, such rich blessing hangs him on + Whom God's fear maketh live a man; + From him the old curse away is worn + To which the sons of men are born. + + From Zion God will prosper thee; + Thou shalt behold continually + Jerusalem's now happy case + So pleasing to the God of grace. + + He will thy days prolong for thee, + With goodness ever nigh thee be + That thou with thy sons' sons may'st dwell, + And there be peace in Israel. + + + III. + + A SONG OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE BENEFITS MOST GREAT WHICH GOD HATH SHOWN TO + US IN CHRIST. + + Dear Christians, let us now rejoice, + And dance in joyous measure; + That, of good cheer, and with one voice, + We sing in love and pleasure + Of what to us our God hath shown, + And the sweet wonder he hath done: + Full dearly hath he bought it! + + Forlorn and lost in death I lay + A captive to the devil; + My sin lay heavy, night and day, + For I was born in evil. + I fell but deeper for my strife + There was no good in all my life, + For sin had all-possessed me. + + My good works they were worthless quite, + A mock was all my merit; + My free will hates God's judging light, + To all good dead and buried. + Me to despair my anguish drove, + Down unto death my soul did shove: + I must be plunged in hell-fire! + + Then God was sorry on his throne + To see such torment rend me; + His tender mercy he thought on, + And his good help would send me. + He turned to me his father-heart: + Ah, then was His no easy part; + His very best it cost him! + + To his dear son he said: Go down; + Things go in piteous fashion; + Go thou, my heart's exalted crown, + Be the poor man's salvation. + Lift him from out sin's scorn and scathe; + Strangle for him that cruel Death, + And take him to live with thee. + + The son he heard obediently; + And, by a maiden mother, + Pure, tender--down he came to me, + For he must be my brother! + Concealed he brought his strength enorm, + And went about in my poor form, + Meaning to catch the devil. + + He said unto me: Hold by me, + Thy matters I will settle; + I give myself all up for thee, + And I will fight thy battle. + For I am thine, and thou art mine, + And my house also shall be thine; + The enemy shall not part us. + + Like water he will shed my blood, + Of life my heart bereaving; + All this I suffer for thy good-- + That hold with firm believing; + My Life shall swallow up that Death; + My innocence bears thy sins, He saith, + So henceforth thou art happy. + + To heaven unto my Father high, + From this life I am going; + But there thy master still am I, + My spirit on thee bestowing, + Whose comfort shall thy trouble quell, + And teach thy heart to know me well, + Thee into all truth guiding. + + What I have done, what I have said, + Thou must go doing, teaching; + That so the kingdom of God may spread, + To His praise all men reaching. + But take heed what men bid thee do-- + That will corrupt the treasure true: + With this last word I leave thee. Amen. + + + + IX. THE COMMANDMENTS. + + I. + + These are the holy ten commands + Which came to us from God's own hands + By Moses, who thus did his will + On the top of Sinai's hill. + Kyrioleis. + + I am the Lord thy God alone; + Of Gods besides thou shalt have none; + Thou shalt thyself trust all to me, + And love me right heartily. + Kyrioleis. + + Thou shalt not speak like idle word + The name of God who is thy Lord; + As right or good thou shalt not praise + Except what God does and says. + Kyrioleis. + + Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day, + That rest thou and thy household may; + From thine own work thou must keep free, + That God his work have in thee. + Kyrioleis. + + Honour thou shall and shalt obey + Thy father and thy mother alway; + To serve them ready be thy hand + That thou live long in the land. + Kyrioleis. + + In anger hot thou shalt not kill, + Nor hate, nor take revenge for ill; + Be patient and of gentle mood, + And ev'n to thy foe do good. + Kyrioleis. + + Thy marriage-bond thou shalt keep clean, + That to no other thy heart lean; + Thy life thou must keep pure and free, + Temperate, with fine chastity. + Kyrioleis. + + Money or goods steal not, nor yet + Traffic in others' blood and sweat; + But open wide thy kindly hand + To the poor man in thy land. + Kyrioleis. + + Evil reports thou shalt not bear, + Nor 'gainst thy neighbour falsely swear; + His innocence thou shalt defend, + And hide his shame from foe or friend. + Kyrioleis. + + Thy neighbour's wife or house to win + Thou shalt not seek--or aught therein; + But wish all good to him may be, + As thy own heart doth to thee. + Kyrioleis. + + To us come these commands, that so + Thou, son of man, thy sins mayst know, + And with this lesson thy heart fill, + That man must live for God's will. + Kyrioleis. + + May Christ our Lord help us in this, + For he our mediator is; + Our own work is a hopeless thing, + Wrath alone all it can bring. + Kyrioleis. + + + II. + + Oh man, wouldst thou live blissfully, + And dwell with God eternally, + Thou shalt observe the ten commands, + Written by God with his hands: + Kyrioleis. + + Thy God and Lord I am alway; + No other God shall make thee stray; + Thy heart must ever trust in me; + Mine own kingdom shalt thou be: + Kyrioleis. + + My name to honour thou shalt heed, + And call on me in time of need. + Thou shalt keep whole the sabbath day, + That so in thee I work may: + Kyrioleis. + + To thy father and mother thou + Shalt, next me, in obedience bow; + None kill, nor yield to anger wild; + And keep thy marriage undefiled: + Kyrioleis. + + From any one thou shalt not steal; + Falsely with others never deal; + Thy neighbour's wife thou shalt not eye: + Let his be his welcomely! + Kyrioleis. + + + X. THE CREED. + + In one true God we all believe, + Maker of the earth and heaven; + Who, us as children to receive, + Hath himself as father given. + Now and henceforth he will feed us; + Soul and body, will be round us; + 'Gainst mischances all will heed us; + Nought shall come on us to wound us. + He watches for us, cares, defends; + And everything to his might bends. + + And we believe in Jesus Christ, + His son, our Lord. Evermore he + Sits beside the Father high'st, + Equal God in might and glory. + He of Mary, the young maiden, + Verily was born true human + By the Holy Ghost. Grief-laden + For our sakes, lost man and woman, + He on the cross expired in faith, + And rose again, through God, from death. + + We believe in the Holy Ghost + With the Father and the Saviour, + In whom the fearful learn to boast, + Who the meek doth crown with favour. + Christendom, in earth and heaven, + Of one heart and mind he keepeth. + Here all sins shall be forgiven; + Wake too shall the flesh that sleepeth; + After these sufferings there shall be + Life to all eternity. Amen. + + + + XI. PRAYER. + + I. + + THE LORD'S PRAYER, BRIEFLY AND PLAINLY SET FORTH, AND TURNED INTO METRE. + + Our Father in the heaven who art, + Who tellest all of us, in heart + Brothers to be, and on thee call, + And wilt have prayer from us all-- + Grant, not from mouth alone it flow; + From deepest heart oh let it go! + + Hallowed be thy name, O Lord; + Amongst us oh keep pure thy word, + That we too may live holily, + And in thy true name worthily! + Defend us, Lord, from lying lore; + Thy poor misguided folk restore. + + Thy kingdom come now here below! + And after there on ever go! + The Holy Ghost his temple hold + In us with graces manifold! + The devil's wrath and greatness strong + Crush, that he do thy church no wrong. + + Thy will be done the same, Lord God, + On earth as in thy high abode! + In pain give patience for relief, + Obedience in love and grief; + All flesh and blood keep off and check + That 'gainst thy will makes a stiff neck. + + Give us this day our daily bread, + And all that doth the body stead; + From strife and war, Lord, keep us free, + From sickness and from scarcity; + That we in happy peace may rest, + By care and greed all undistrest. + + Forgive, Lord, all our trespasses, + That they to us have no access; + As to our debtors we gladly let + Pass every wrong and every debt. + To serve make us all ready be + In honest love and unity. + + Into temptation lead us not. + When th' evil spirit makes battle hot + Upon the left and the right hand, + Help us with vigour to withstand + Firm in the faith, armed 'gainst a host + Through comfort of the Holy Ghost. + + From all that's evil free thy sons-- + The time, the days are wicked ones. + Deliver us from endless death; + Comfort us in our latest breath; + Grant us also a blessed end: + Our spirit take into thy hand. + + Amen! that is, let this come true! + Strengthen our faith ever anew, + That we may never be in doubt + Of that we here have prayed about. + In thy name, trusting in thy word, + We say a soft Amen, O Lord. + + + II. + + THE LITANY. + + 1. Chorus: Kyrie, 2. Chorus: Eleison. + 1. Christe, 2. Eleison. + 1. Kyrie, 2. Eleison. + 1. O Christ, 2. Hear us! + 1. Lord God, the Father in heaven, + 1. Lord God, the Son, Saviour of the world, + 1. Lord God, the Holy Ghost, + 2. Have pity upon us. + 1. Be gracious unto us. + 2. Spare us, dear Lord God. + 1. Be gracious unto us. + 2. Help us, dear Lord God. + 1. From all sins, + From all error, + From all evil, + 2. Defend us, dear Lord God. + 1. From the deceit and wiles of the devil, + From violent, sudden death, + From pestilence and famine, + From war and bloodshed, + From uproar and discord, + From fire and flood, + From hail and tempest, + From the eternal death, + 2. Defend us, dear Lord God. + 1. Through thy holy birth, + Through thy death-struggle and bloody sweat, + Through thy cross and death, + 2. Help us, dear Lord God. + 1. Through thy holy resurrection and ascension, + In our final distress, + At the last judgement, + 2. Help us, dear Lord God. + 1. We poor sinners pray + 2. That thou wouldst hear us, dear Lord God! + 1. And thy holy Church govern and lead. + All bishops, parsons, and clerks, keep in the wholesome word and holy + life. + All factions and offences prevent. + All that wander and all that are led astray, bring back. + Tread Satan under our feet. + Into thy harvest send forth true labourers. + Give to the word thy spirit and power. + All that are troubled and faint-hearted help and comfort them. + To all kings and princes give peace and concord. + To our emperor grant constant victory over his enemies. + Our governors, and all their mighty ones, guide and defend. + Our council, school, and congregation, bless and protect. + To all in distress and on a journey, appear with help. + To all that are with child and that give suck, grant happy result and + good success. + All children and sick persons foster and tend. + All prisoners loose and unburden. + All widows and orphans defend and provide for. + Take pity upon all men. + Our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, forgive and convert. + The fruits of the earth give and preserve; + And graciously hear us. + 2. Hear us, dear Lord God. + 1. O Jesus Christ, God's Son, + 2. Have pity upon us. + 1. O thou Lamb of God, that bearest the sins of the world, + 2. Have pity upon us. + 1. O thou Lamb of God, that bearest the sins of the world, + 2. Have pity upon us. + 1. O thou Lamb of God, that bearest the sins of the world, + 2. Grant us lasting peace. + 1. Christ, 2. Hear us. + 1. Lord, 2. Have pity, + 1. Christ, 2. Have pity, + 1. 2. Lord, have pity. Amen. + + + III. + + Peach to us in thy mercy grant; + In our times, Lord, it settle; + Sure there is not another one + Able to fight our battle + Except thee, our Lord God, only. + + + + XII. _BAPTISM_. + + A SPIRITUAL SONG, CONCERNING OUR HOLY BAPTISM, WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY + CONTAINED WHAT IT IS, WHO HAS INSTITUTED IT, WHERETO IT SERVES, &C. + + To Jordan when our Lord had gone, + His Father's pleasure willing, + He took his baptism of St. John, + His work and charge fulfilling; + Therein he did appoint a bath + To wash us from defilement, + And there to drown that cruel Death + In his blood of assoilment: + 'Twas no less than a new life. + + Let all then hear and right receive + The baptism of the Father; + And learn what Christians must believe, + Shunning where heretics gather. + Water indeed, not water mere + Therein can work his pleasure: + His holy Word is also there + With Spirit rich, unmeasured: + He is the one baptizer. + + This clearly showed He by his word + Of open recognition; + The Father's voice men plainly heard + At Jordan claim his mission. + God said, This is my own dear Son + In whom I am well contented; + To you I send him, every one-- + That all may hear I have sent him, + And follow what he teaches. + + Also God's Son himself here stands + In human presentation; + On him the Holy Ghost descends + In dove-like shape and fashion, + That not a doubt should ever rise + That, when we are baptized, + All the three Persons do baptize; + And they be recognized + Themselves come to dwell with us. + + Christ to his scholars says: Go forth, + Give to all men acquaintance + That lost in sin lies the whole earth, + And must turn to repentance. + Believe, and be baptized, and then + Each man is blest for ever; + From that hour he's a new-born man, + And thenceforth, dying never, + The kingdom shall inherit. + + But who in this grace puts no faith + Abides in sin, life misses; + He is condemned to endless death + Deep down in hell's abysses. + Nothing avails his righteousness, + And lost are all his merits; + Sin original holds its place-- + The sin which he inherits; + And help himself he cannot. + + The eye but water doth behold + As from man's hand it floweth; + But inward faith the power untold + Of Jesus Christ's blood knoweth: + Faith sees therein a red flood roll, + With Christ's blood dyed and blended, + Which hurt of every kind makes whole, + Whether from Adam heired + Or by ourselves committed. + + + + XIII. _REPENTANCE_. + + THE HUNDRED AND THIRTIETH PSALM. + + From trouble deep I cry to thee; + Lord God, hear thou my crying; + Thy gracious ear oh turn to me, + Open it to thy sighing. + For if thou mean'st to look upon + The wrong and evil that is done, + Who, Lord, can stand before thee? + + With thee availeth nought but grace + To cover trespass mortal; + Our good deeds cannot show their face, + In best life they come short all. + Before thee no one glory can, + And so must tremble every man, + And live by thy grace only. + + Hope therefore in my God will I, + On my deserts nought founding; + Upon him shall my heart rely, + All on his goodness grounding. + What his true word doth promise me + My comfort shall and refuge be; + That will I always wait for. + + And if it last into the night, + And last again till morning, + Yet shall my heart hope in God's might, + Despair and foresight scorning. + Thus Israel must keep his post, + For he was born of the Holy Ghost, + And for his God must tarry. + + Although our sin be great; God's grace + Is greater to relieve us; + His hand from helping nothing stays, + Howe'er the hurt be grievous. + The shepherd good alone is He, + Who will at last set Israel free, + From all and every trespass. + + + + XIV. _THE LORD'S SUPPER_. + + I. + + A SONG OF ST. JOHN HUSS, IMPROVED BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER. + + Christ Jesus, our Redeemer born, + Who from us did God's anger turn + Through his sufferings sore and main + Help he us all out of hell-pain! + + That we never should forget it, + Gave he us his flesh, to eat it, + Hid in poor bread, gift divine, + And, to drink, his blood in the wine. + + Who will draw near to that table, + Must take heed, all he is able! + Who unworthy thither goes, + Thence death instead of life he sows. + + God the Father praise thou duly, + That he thee would feed so truly, + And for ill deeds by thee done + Up unto death has given his son. + + Have this faith, and do not waver, + 'Tis a food for every craver + Who, his heart with sin opprest, + Can no more for its anguish rest. + + Such kindness and such grace to get + Seeks a heart with labour great. + Is it well with thee? take care + Lest at last thou shouldst evil fare. + + He doth say, Come hither, O ye + Poor, that I may pity show ye: + From the leech the sound will start, + And make a mockery of his art. + + Hadst thou any skill to offer + Why for thee should I then suffer? + Table this is not for thee + If saviour thou thine own canst be. + + If such faith thy heart possesses + And the same thy mouth confesses, + Fit guest then thou art indeed + And so this food thy soul will feed. + + But bear fruit, or lose thy labour: + Take thou heed thou love thy neighbour, + That thou food to him mayst be + As thy God makes himself to thee. + + + II. + + A SONG OF PRAISE. + + Let God be blest, be praised, and be thanked, + Who to us himself hath granted + This his own flesh and blood to feed and save us! + May we take right what he gave us: + Lord, be merciful to us. + By thy holy body dead in shame, + Lord, which from thy mother, Mary, came, + And by thy holy blood + Ease us, Lord, from all our load: + Lord, be merciful to us. + + The holy body is for us laid lowly + Down in death, that we live holy; + No greater goodness he to us could render + Than make us mind his love tender. + Lord, be merciful to us. + Lord, thy love so great was, it hath driven + Thee to death, and us great gifts hath given + Our old debt it has paid, + And God has gracious made: + Lord, be merciful to us. + + God on us all his blessing free bestow now + That we in his ways may go now, + Right-hearted love and brother-truth ensuing, + Never the Lord's supper ruing! + Lord, be merciful to us. + Let thy good Ghost us not forsake, + Let him make us the just way take + That thy poor Christendom + Into peace and union come! + Lord, be merciful to us. + + + + XV. _DEATH_. + + I. + + In the midst of life, we are + Aye in Death's embraces. + Who is there who help us can + And in safety place us? + Lord, thou art he, thou only. + From our ill deeds we sorrowing turn + That have made thy anger burn. + Holy, holy Lord God, + Holy, mighty Lord God, + Holy Saviour with the tender heart, + Everlasting God, + Let us not be swallowed + In the misery of death: + Lord, have mercy upon us. + + In the midst of death, behold + Hell's jaws gaping at us! + Who will from such dire distress + Free and scathless set us? + Lord, that dost thou, thou only: + It fills thy tender heart with woe + We should sin and suffer so. + Holy, holy Lord God, + Holy, mighty Lord God, + Holy Saviour with the tender heart, + Everlasting God, + Let us not be gasted + By hell's hollows all aglow: + Lord, have mercy upon us. + + When amidst the pains of hell + Us our sins are baiting; + Whither shall we flee away + Where relief is waiting? + To thee, Lord Christ, thee only + Who didst outpour thy precious blood + For our sins sufficing good: + Holy, holy Lord God, + Holy, mighty Lord God, + Holy Saviour with the tender heart, + Everlasting God, + Let us not fall from thee, + From comfort of the right faith: + Lord, have mercy upon us. + + + II. + + SIMEON THE PATRIARCH'S SONG OF PRAISE. + + In peace and joy I now depart, + For God hath willed it. + Comforted is my mind and heart, + For he hath stilled it; + As my God did promise me, + Death is grown only slumber. + + That shows that Christ is God's own Son, + And our saviour so, + Whom thou, O Lord, to me hast shown, + Making me know + Him the Life eternal, + And health in pain and dying. + + In the fore-front thou hast him placed, + In him delighted; + The whole world to his kingdom blest + Hast invited + Through thy precious wholesome word + In every place resounding. + + He is the health and happy light + Of the heathen, + To ope their eyes, and give them sight + Thee to see then. + He to thy people, Isr'el, + Is glory, honour, pleasure. + + + + XVI. _THE PRAISE OF GOD_. + + I. + + Unto the seer, Isaiah, it was given + That, in the spirit, he saw the Lord of heaven + Up on a lofty throne, in radiance bright; + The skirt of his garment filled the temple quite; + Two seraphs at his side were standing there; + Six wings, he saw, each one of them did wear: + Two over their bright visages did meet, + With two of them they covered up their feet, + And with the other twain abroad did fly. + Each to the other called with a great cry, + Holy is God, the Lord of Zebaoth! + Holy is God, the Lord of Zebaoth! + Holy is God, the Lord of Zebaoth! + His glory great the whole world filled hath. + At the loud cry the beams and threshold shook, + And the whole house was full of cloud and smoke. + + + II. + + THE SONG OF PRAISE "TE TEUM LAUDAMUS," TURNED INTO GERMAN BY DR. MART. + LUTHER. + + _The first Choir._--Lord God, thee praise do we. + _The second Choir._--Lord, we give thanks to thee. + + 1. Thee, Father, eternal God, + 2. Earth praises, far and broad. + 1. All angels and heaven's host, + 2. All that in thy service boast, + 1. The cherubim and seraphim + 2. Sing thee ever with lofty hymn: + 1. Holy is our Lord God! + 2. Holy is our Lord God! + + _Both Choirs._--Holy is our God, the Lord of Sabaoth. + + 1. Thy godlike might and lordship go + 2. Wide over heaven and earth below. + 1. To thee the holy twelve do call, + 2. And thy beloved prophets all: + 1. The precious martyrs, with one voice, + 2. Praise thee, O Lord, with mighty noise. + 1. From all thy worthy Christendom + 2. To thee each day thy praises come; + 1. To Thee, the Father, on highest throne, + 2. Thy true and only-begotten Son; + 1. The holy Comforter always, + 2. With service true they thank and praise. + 1. Thou, king of glory, Christ, alone + 2. Art the Father's eternal Son; + 1. Didst not the virgin's womb despise, + 2. That so the human race might rise; + 1. Thou on the might of Death didst tread, + 2. And Christians all to heaven dost lead. + 1. Thou sittest now at God's right hand, + 2. With glory of all i' th' heavenly land; + 1. The hour shall come when thou shalt yet + 2. To judge the dead and living sit; + 1. Now to thy servants help afford, + 2. Ransomed with thy dear blood, O Lord; + 1. Let us in heaven have our dole, + 2. And with the holy be always whole. + 1. Thy folk, Lord Christ, help and advance, + 2. And bless thine own inheritance; + 1. Them watch and ward, Lord, every day, + 2. And lift them always up, we pray. + 1. Daily, Lord God, we honour thee, + 2. And praise thy name continually. + 1. O God of truth, keep us this day + 2. From every sin and evil way. + 1. Be gracious to us, Lord, we plead-- + 2. Be gracious to us in every need. + 1. Show unto us thy pitying grace, + 2. For all our hope in thee we place. + 1. Dear Lord, our hope is in thy name; + 2. Let us be never put to shame. Amen. + + + + _OF LIFE AT COURT_. + + _To the tune_--Ein Lappisch Mann: _A Silly Man_. + + Who number one + Keeps in the van, + And gently can + His hoop drive on + And fawn and fan, + And every man + Counts dust and bran-- + Is now the cock to crow to Pan. + + Who has in sight + To live upright, + Keep honour bright, + And be true quite-- + In vain shall fight + And lose his might, + Shall meet with slight + And scorn and spite, + And serve the rest, unhappy wight. + + By flattery's rod + There's many a lad + Great wealth has had, + And praises glad; + Down in the mud + He'll others tread + And honour wed: + So goes the world heels over head! + + Whatever man + Has no such plan, + From court must run; + Such never won + But scoff and ban. + Who flatter can, + And sting and tan-- + He is at court the best o' the clan! + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Rampolli, by George MacDonald + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAMPOLLI *** + +***** This file should be named 8949.txt or 8949.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/9/4/8949/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Charles Bidwell and Distributed +Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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