Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume IV. The Higher Life. 1904. | | | | VII. Death: Immortality: Heaven | | Song of the Silent Land | | Johann Gaudenz von Salis-Seewis (1762–1834) |
| | Translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Das stille Land” |
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INTO the Silent Land! | |
| Ah, who shall lead us thither? | |
| Clouds in the evening sky more darkly gather, | |
| And shattered wrecks lie thicker on the strand. | |
| Who leads us with a gentle hand | 5 |
| Thither, oh, thither, | |
| Into the Silent Land? | |
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| Into the Silent Land! | |
| To you, ye boundless regions | |
| Of all perfection! Tender morning-visions | 10 |
| Of beauteous souls! The future’s pledge and band! | |
| Who in life’s battle firm doth stand | |
| Shall bear hope’s tender blossoms | |
| Into the Silent Land! | |
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| O Land! O Land! | 15 |
| For all the broken-hearted | |
| The mildest herald by our fate allotted | |
| Beckons, and with inverted torch doth stand | |
| To lead us with a gentle hand | |
| Into the land of the great departed, | 20 |
| Into the Silent Land! | | | |
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