NATURE.
Reading edition
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF MATTHISON.
I.
Illum'd by reddening skies, stands glittering On tender blade the dew; And undulates the landscape of the spring Upon the clear stream's blue.
II.
Fair is the rocky rill, the blossom'd tree, The grove with gold that gleams; Fair is the star of eve, which close we see To yonder purple gleams.
III.
Fair is the meadow's green, the dale's thick bush, The hill's bright robe of flowers; The alder-stream, the pond's surrounding rush, And lilies' snowy showers.
IV.
Oh! how the host of beings are made one By Love's enduring band! The glow-worm, and the fiëry flood of sun, Spring from one Father's hand.
V.
Thou beckonest, Almighty, if the tree Lose but a bud that's blown; Thou beckonest, if in immensity One sun is sunk and gone!