C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Morning Song

Translation of Richard Burton

THEY’RE gazing at each other, the flowers fair and small,

The blithesome birds unto their mates are talking;

Now open wide their eyes earth’s children all;

And, house on back, the snail goes walking.

The tiniest worm is minded by God the maker here;

He feeds the birds and decks the lily flower:

But children holds he dearest of the dear;

On weeping eyes God’s blessings shower.

God’s Son was once a little one, on manger straw he lay,

His cradle here on earth stood, fashioned meanly;

God promises the children heavenly play

And blooms in meadows queenly.

God’s Son holds us so dear, great child-friend is his name:

He bears the bairns to God, his arms supporting;

Though conquering sea and sky what time he came,

Babes at his breast were sporting.

O Thou who blessest us and didst caress the small,

Some morn in Paradise we shall behold thee;

Thou raisest up our eyes to God,—let all

Praises and prayers enfold thee!