The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 136

Feed it, Earth, with all thy dew!

ALL

Sun, send out thy softest radiance!

Feed it, Earth, with all thy dew!

THE FATHER

Joy, sweet joy, and life new-springing May'st thou still to all be bringing-- Joy it was that set thee here.

May thy gifts of nectar gather Children's children, like their father, And all bless thee for thy cheer!

ALL

Joy, sweet joy, and life new-springing May'st thou still to all be bringing-- Joy it was that set thee here!

[_They dance in picturesque groups around the tree. The orchestral music accompanies the dance, and gradually pa.s.ses into a more elevated style, as there appear in the background from above_ GENIUS _and the G.o.ddesses of the Seven Arts. The country people retire to the sides of the stage_, GENIUS _comes down to the centre, with_ PAINTING, SCULPTURE, _and_ ARCHITECTURE _on his right_, POETRY, DRAMA, MUSIC, _and_ DANCING _on his left_.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE HOMAGE OF THE ARTS HERM. MISDICEMUS]

THE ARTS

We come from a far land-- Still wandering, roaming From people to people, From ages to ages; We are seeking a home that shall always endure-- In peaceful possession To find our expression, In stillness creating, No power abating-- Yet we still seek in vain for a dwelling secure.

THE YOUTH

Who are these my eyes behold, Like a troop of fairies nigh-- Forms whose beauty ne'er was told!

Beats my heart, I know not why!

GENIUS

Where weapons are clas.h.i.+ng And trumpets are blown, Where hearts are with hate and with madness o'erflowing, Where mortals are wand'ring, their goal never knowing, Thence turn we our footsteps, in haste to be gone.

ARTS

We hate the deceivers, Despisers of heaven; We seek among mortals Who to virtue are given.

Where pure hearts have welcome To give to a friend, We will build habitations To dwell without end.

THE MAIDEN

What is this strange feeling?

What can it betoken?

By some hidden power my nature is moved, They call to my heart like the friends I have loved-- Yet never before with these strangers I've spoken.

THE COUNTRY PEOPLE

What is this strange feeling?

What can it betoken?

GENIUS

Ah, but yonder see I mortals, Come to revel with delight.

Look--with ribbons and with garlands Richly is the tree bedight!

Surely joy their bosom fills--

[_To the country people_.]

Tell me what it is you do.

THE FATHER

Shepherds are we of these hills, And a feast we keep, 'tis true.

GENIUS

What the feast? I fain would hear!

THE MOTHER

In honor of our lady dear, Great as good, and good as great, Who, to bless our humble vale, From her high imperial station Has descended--her we hail!

THE YOUTH

For her charms our jubilation, Kindness like the sun's warm rays!

GENIUS

Wherefore do you plant a tree?

THE YOUTH

Ah, it comes of foreign race, And its heart toward home is yearning; That is why we fear its turning From its new abiding-place.

GENIUS

That is why you plant it deep, With the soil its roots encase, That its blessings you may keep In its new abiding-place?

THE MAIDEN

To her native land that bind her Many, many are the ties-- All that she has left behind her In her childhood's paradise: All her mother's fond embraces, And the love of n.o.ble brothers, And her sisters' tender bosoms.

Can we then in equal measures, Can the world, supply a price For such pleasures, For such treasures?

GENIUS

Love can reach to any distance, Is not bound by far or near.

As the fire is undiminished When another flame is kindled With its heat, to glow more clear, So that has no tie to bind her, Which of old she held most dear: Though she has left love behind her, She will find love dwelling here.

THE MOTHER

She has come from halls of state, Rich with gold and crystal sheen; Can our hills please one so great, Where for gold we boast but suns.h.i.+ne, And our wealth is meadows green?