SONG OF THE SILENT LAND. FROM THE GERMAN OF SALIS. NTO the Silent Land! IN Ah! who shall lead us thither? Clouds in the evening sky more darkly gather, And shattered wrecks lie thicker on the strand. Thither, O thither, Into the Silent Land? Into the Silent Land! To you, ye boundless regions Of all perfection! Tender morning visions Of beauteous souls! The Future's pledge and band Shall bear Hope's tender blossoms For all the broken-hearted The mildest herald by our fate allotted, To lead us with a gentle hand Into the land of the great Departed, Into the Silent Land! THE TWO LOCKS OF HAIR. 93 THE TWO LOCKS OF HAIR. FROM THE GERMAN OF PFIZER. A YOUTH, light-hearted and content, I wander through the world; Yet oft I dream, that once a wife I wake! Away that dream, - away! So long, that both by night and day The end lies ever in my thought; But now the dream is wholly o'er, And wander through the world once more, Left me that vision mild; The brown is from the mother's hair, And when I see that lock of gold, G THE SINGERS. OD sent his Singers upon earth With songs of sadness and of mirth, That they might touch the hearts of men, And bring them back to heaven again. The first, a youth, with soul of fire, Through groves he wandered, and by streams, The second, with a bearded face, A gray, old man, the third and last, And those who heard the Singers three But the great Master said, "I see I gave a various gift to each, To charm, to strengthen, and to teach. "These are the three great chords of might, And he whose ear is tuned aright Will hear no discord in the three, CHRISTMAS BELLS. 95 I CHRISTMAS BELLS. HEARD the bells on Christmas Day And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till, ringing, singing on its way, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth, The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" |