| Margarete Münsterberg, ed., trans. A Harvest of German Verse. 1916. | | | | Freedom | | By Max von Schenkendorf (1783–1817) |
| | | FREEDOM that I love, | |
| Shining in my heart, | |
| Come now from above, | |
| Angel that thou art! | |
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| To the world oppressed | 5 |
| Wilt thou ne’er appear? | |
| Shall but stars be blessed | |
| With thy grace and cheer? | |
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| In the forest gay | |
| When the trees are green, | 10 |
| ’Neath the blooming spray, | |
| Freedom, thou art seen. | |
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| Oh, what dear delight! | |
| Music fills the air, | |
| And thy secret might | 15 |
| Thrills us everywhere— | |
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| When the rustling boughs | |
| Friendly greetings send, | |
| When we lovers’ vows, | |
| Looks and kisses spend. | 20 |
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| But the heart aspires | |
| Upward evermore, | |
| And our high desires | |
| Toward heaven soar. | |
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| From his simple kind | 25 |
| Comes my rustic child, | |
| Shows his heart and mind | |
| To the world beguiled. | |
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| For him gardens bloom, | |
| For him fields have grown, | 30 |
| Even in the gloom | |
| Of a world of stone. | |
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| Where within a breast | |
| Glows a God-sent flame— | |
| Love with loyal zest | 35 |
| For the ancient name, | |
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| Where all men unite | |
| Valiantly to face | |
| Foes of honour’s right— | |
| There dwells freedom’s race. | 40 |
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| Ramparts, brazen doors | |
| Still may bar the light, | |
| Yet the spirit soars | |
| Into regions bright. | |
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| For the fathers’ grave, | 45 |
| For the church to fall | |
| And for dear ones—brave, | |
| True at freedom’s call— | |
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| That indeed is light, | |
| Glowing rosy-red: | 50 |
| Heroes’ cheeks grow bright | |
| And more fair when dead. | |
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| Toward us, oh, guide | |
| Heaven’s grace, we pray; | |
| In our hearts reside | 55 |
| —German hearts—to stay! | |
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| Freedom sweet and fair, | |
| Trusting, void of fear, | |
| German nature e’er | |
| Was to thee most dear. | 60 | | | |
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