Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

Let them, O Lord, as plants of righteousness,

Here in Earth's Garden stand ;

Yet training only for the fuller life

In the sweet Fatherland.

In Thine own Vineyard may their tender growth Thy fostering care employ :

Cherish and guard the good and precious shoots The evil ones destroy!

O fill them with Thy Grace, and may Thy Love

Their souls' best powers engage:

Lord, call them early, lovingly to Thee,

And guard their heritage!

In life and death, O Father, make them Thine; Ordered in all by Thee:

As heirs of Life, conduct them at the last

Into Eternity!

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

(DIE SCHÖNHEIT DER NATUR.)

REJOICE in Earth's fair beauty;
'Tis worthy of delight ;—

The glorious splendour that our God
Strews forth before our sight!

And yet, 'tis but the Footstool,

Rich garnished, for His Feet: His creature fraught with wonder-works, In loveliness complete.

In Sun and Moon rejoice thou,

And in each radiant star;'

As, o'er our valley wandering,
They bless us from afar.

Yet are they but creations,

By The Hand Almighty sown Along the wide-spread drapery That falls about the Throne.

If in His Throne and Footstoo

Such glorious lustre be;

What at His Heart may we conceive Of Bliss and Radiancy!

SPRING'S WONDERS.

(FRÜHLINGSWUNDER.)

WINTER'S dark hours are over;
The snow and rain are past :
Life, that was captive held by Death,
Breaks from her bonds at last.

All, that so long lay sleeping

In the darksome winter-night,

Stirs mightily and soon shall stand All glorious in the light.

God sends His Breath, life-giving,
To wave through wood and plain :
Voices from Nature's graves awake,
And her life-blood flows again.

Her face in beauty gloweth ;

And, with swelling verdure rife,

In the valleys and the mountain-sides

Burst thousand germs of life.

Sweet blossoms open, trembling
Their casements, here and there;
Strike out their heads inquiringly

Into the soft mild air.

There sounds the bird's loud carol

[ocr errors]

Joyful amidst the bowers ;—

Yes, Spring again is with us now :

Come forth, come forth, ye Flowers!"

"Life has from Death arisen ! "

Resounds on every side:

And the blue heaven laugheth joyously, And Earth smiles like a bride.

O Soul, be full of gladness,

This miracle to see:

God sends His Breath, restoring life,

And Spring comes forth for thee !

« НазадПродовжити »