MORNING PRAYER. 127 Morning Prayer. FROM THE GERMAN OF EICHENDORF. O SILENCE, Wondrous and profound! I feel new life within me glow; Where now is my distress and care? To me, a pilgrim, shall the world, And should my song woo worldly gifts, Dash down my lyre! I'll hold my peace May- Flowers. ROSE! Rose ! open thy leaves! Near is the nightingale on the tree. Open thy leaves! And fill with balm-breath the sun-lit eaves. Lily! Lily! awake, awake! The fairy watcheth her flowery boat. Lily! Lily! awake, awake! O! set thy scent-laden bark afloat. Lily awake! Lily awake! And cover with leaves the sleeping lake. Flowers! Flowers! come forth, 't is spring! Stars of the woods, the hills and the dells! MAY-FLOWERS. Fair valley Lilies, come forth, and ring 'Tis spring! 't is spring! And beauty in field and woodland dwells. 6* 129 The Mansion of Rest. I TALKED to my fluttering heart, And husband the rest of its days. The meteors that fancy had dress'd; A charmer was list'ning the while, Who caught up the tone of my lay: "O! come, then," she cried, with a smile, "And I'll show you the place and the way." I follow'd the witch to her home, And vow'd to be always her guest; "Nevermore," I exclaim'd, "will I roam In search of a Mansion of Rest." THE MANSION OF REST. But the sweetest of moments will fly; 131 That the syren deceived while she smiled. Deep, deep did she stab the repose Of my trusting and unwary breast, Till the door of each avenue closed That led to the Mansion of Rest. Then Friendship enticed me to stray May toss on the billows of woe, And ne'er find the Mansion of Rest. Pleasure's path I determined to try, With nettles and wild flowers dress'd, "Behold there the Mansion of Rest!" |