The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 43

Ring out your chimes believing crowds among, The message well I hear, my faith alone is weak; From faith her darling, miracle, hath sprung.

Aloft to yonder spheres I dare not soar, Whence sound the tidings of great joy; And yet, with this sweet strain familiar when a boy, Back it recalleth me to life once more.

Then would celestial love, with holy kiss, Come o'er me in the Sabbath's stilly hour, While, fraught with solemn meaning and mysterious power, Chim'd the deep-sounding bell, and prayer was bliss; A yearning impulse, undefin'd yet dear, Drove me to wander on through wood and field; With heaving breast and many a burning tear, I felt with holy joy a world reveal'd.

Gay sports and festive hours proclaim'd with joyous pealing This Easter hymn in days of old; And fond remembrance now doth me, with childlike feeling, Back from the last, the solemn step, withhold.

O still sound on, thou sweet celestial strain!

The tear-drop flows--Earth, I am thine again!

CHORUS OF DISCIPLES

He whom we mourned as dead, Living and glorious,

From the dark grave hath fled, O'er death victorious; Almost creative bliss Waits on His growing powers; Ah! Him on earth we miss; Sorrow and grief are ours.

Yearning He left His own, Mid sore annoy; Ah! we must needs bemoan, Master, thy joy!

CHORUS OF ANGELS

Christ is arisen, Redeem'd from decay.

The bonds which imprison Your souls, rend away!

Praising the Lord with zeal, By deeds that love reveal, Like brethren true and leal Sharing the daily meal, To all that sorrow feel Whisp'ring of heaven's weal, Still is the Master near, Still is He here!

BEFORE THE GATE _Promenaders of all sorts pa.s.s out_.

ARTISANS

Why choose ye that direction, pray?

OTHERS

To the hunting-lodge we're on our way.

THE FIRST

We toward the mill are strolling on.

A MECHANIC

A walk to Wa.s.serhof were best.

A SECOND

The road is not a pleasant one.

THE OTHERS

What will you do?

A THIRD

I'll join the rest.

A FOURTH

Let's up to Burghof, there you'll find good cheer, The prettiest maidens and the best of beer, And brawls of a prime sort.

A FIFTH

You scapegrace! How?

Your skin still itching for a row?

Thither I will not go, I loathe the place.

SERVANT GIRL

No, no! I to the town my steps retrace.

ANOTHER

Near yonder poplars he is sure to be.

THE FIRST

And if he is, what matters it to me!

With you he'll walk, he'll dance with none but you, And with your pleasures what have I to do?

THE SECOND

Today he will not be alone, he said His friend would be with him, the curly-head.

STUDENT

Why how those buxom girls step on!

Come, brother, we will follow them anon.

Strong beer, a damsel smartly dress'd, Stinging tobacco--these I love the best.

BURGHER'S DAUGHTER

Look at those handsome fellows there!

'Tis really shameful, I declare; The very best society they shun, After those servant-girls forsooth, to run.

SECOND STUDENT (_to the first_)

Not quite so fast! for in our rear, Two girls, well-dress'd, are drawing near; Not far from us the one doth dwell, And, sooth to say, I like her well.

They walk demurely, yet you'll see, That they will let us join them presently.

THE FIRST

Not I! restraints of all kinds I detest.

Quick! let us catch the wild-game ere it flies; The hand on Sat.u.r.day the mop that plies Will on the Sunday fondle you the best.

BURGHER