Ramparts, brazen doors
Still may bar the light,
Yet the spirit soars
Into regions bright;
For the fathers' grave,
For the church to fall,
And for dear ones--brave,
True at freedom's call--
That indeed is light,
Glowing rosy-red;
Heroes' cheeks grow bright
And more fair when dead.
Down to us, oh, guide
Heaven's grace, we pray!
In our hearts reside--
German hearts--to stay!
Freedom sweet and fair,
Trusting, void of fear,
German nature e'er
Was to thee most clear.
_LUDWIG UHLAND_
* * * * *
THE CHAPEL[17] (1805)
Yonder chapel, on the mountain,
Looks upon a vale of joy;
There, below, by moss and fountain,
Gaily sings the herdsman's boy.
Hark! Upon the breeze descending,
Sound of dirge and funeral bell;
And the boy, his song suspending,
Listens, gazing from the dell.
Homeward to the grave they're bringing
Forms that graced the peaceful vale;
Youthful herdsman, gaily singing!
Thus they'll chant thy funeral wail.
* * * * *
THE SHEPHERD'S SONG ON THE LORD'S DAY[18] (1805)
The Lord's own day is here!
Alone I kneel on this broad plain;
A matin bell just sounds; again
'Tis silence, far and near.
Here kneel I on the sod;
O deep amazement, strangely felt!
As though, unseen, vast numbers knelt
And prayed with me to God!
Yon heav'n afar and near--
So bright, so glorious seems its cope
As though e'en now its gates would ope--
The Lord's own day is here!
[Illustration: LUDWIG UHLAND]
* * * * *
THE CASTLE BY THE SEA[19] (1805)
Hast thou seen that lordly castle,
That castle by the sea?
Golden and red above it
The clouds float gorgeously.
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