Part 20 (2/2)

When ye, the high-born, bowed your pride to tend the lowly weakness, The duty, though it brought no fame, fulfilled by Christian meekness-- Religion of the cross, thou blend'st, as in a single flower, The twofold branches of the palm--humility and power. [49]

THE MERCHANT.

Where sails the s.h.i.+p?--It leads the Tyrian forth For the rich amber of the liberal north.

Be kind, ye seas--winds, lend your gentlest wing, May in each creek sweet wells restoring spring!-- To you, ye G.o.ds, belong the merchant!--o'er The waves his sails the wide world's goods explore; And, all the while, wherever waft the gales The wide world's good sails with him as he sails!

GERMAN FAITH. [50]

Once for the sceptre of Germany, fought with Bavarian Louis Frederick, of Hapsburg descent, both being called to the throne.

But the envious fortune of war delivered the Austrian Into the hands of the foe, who overcame him in fight.

With the throne he purchased his freedom, pledging his honor For the victor to draw 'gainst his own people his sword; But what he vowed when in chains, when free he could not accomplish, So, of his own free accord, put on his fetters again.

Deeply moved, his foe embraced him,--and from thenceforward As a friend with a friend, pledged they the cup at the feast; Arm-in-arm, the princes on one couch slumbered together.

While a still bloodier hate severed the nations apart.

'Gainst the army of Frederick Louis now went, and behind him Left the foe he had fought, over Bavaria to watch.

”Ay, it is true! 'Tis really true! I have it in writing!”

Thus did the Pontifex cry, when he first heard of the news.

THE s.e.xES.

See in the babe two loveliest flowers united--yet in truth, While in the bud they seem the same--the virgin and the youth!

But loosened is the gentle bond, no longer side by side-- From holy shame the fiery strength will soon itself divide.

Permit the youth to sport, and still the wild desire to chase, For, but when sated, weary strength returns to seek the grace.

Yet in the bud, the double flowers the future strife begin, How precious all--yet naught can still the longing heart within.

In ripening charms the virgin bloom to woman shape hath grown, But round the ripening charms the pride hath clasped its guardian zone; Shy, as before the hunter's horn the doe all trembling moves, She flies from man as from a foe, and hates before she loves!

From lowering brows this struggling world the fearless youth observes, And hardened for the strife betimes, he strains the willing nerves; Far to the armed throng and to the race prepared to start, Inviting glory calls him forth, and grasps the troubled heart:-- Protect thy work, O Nature now! one from the other flies, Till thou unitest each at last that for the other sighs.

There art thou, mighty one! where'er the discord darkest frown, Thou call'st the meek harmonious peace, the G.o.d-like soother down.

The noisy chase is lulled asleep, day's clamor dies afar, And through the sweet and veiled air in beauty comes the star.

Soft-sighing through the crisped reeds, the brooklet glides along, And every wood the nightingale melodious fills with song.

O virgin! now what instinct heaves thy bosom with the sigh?

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