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

The Three Stars

Translation of George Fleming Richardson

THERE are three cheering stars of light

O’er life’s dark path that shine;

And these fair orbs, so pure and bright,

Are song, and love, and wine!

For oh! the soul of song hath power

To charm the feeling heart,

To soothe the mourner’s sternest hour,

And bid his griefs depart!

And wine can lend to song its mirth,

Can joys unwonted bring,

And paint this fair and lovely earth

In charms of deathless spring.

But thou, O love! of all the throng

Art fairest seen to shine;

For thou canst soothe the soul like song,

And cheer the heart like wine!

Then deign, fair orbs! to shed your ray

Along my path of gloom,

To guide me through life’s lonely way,

And shine upon my tomb!

For oh! the song, the cup, the kiss

Can make the night divine;

Then blest be he who found the bliss

Of song, and love, and wine!