Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Asia: Vols. XXI–XXIII. 1876–79.

Introductory to Asia

Allah

By Siegfried August Mahlmann (1771–1826)

Translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

ALLAH gives light in darkness,

Allah gives rest in pain,

Cheeks that are white with weeping

Allah paints red again.

The flowers and the blossoms wither.

Years vanish with flying feet;

But my heart will live on forever,

That here in sadness beat.

Gladly to Allah’s dwelling

Yonder would I take flight;

There will the darkness vanish,

There will my eyes have sight.