447

Could—I do more—for Thee—
Wert Thou a Bumble Bee—
Since for the Queen, have I—
Nought but Bouquet?

Could we as mortals but our end foresee,
How little in our minds the world would be;
Could we as spirits but this life renew,
And be again incarnate as we were,
How little might be done like what we do,
How little cared for that which now is most our care

220

Could I—then—shut the door—
Lest my beseeching face—at last—
Rejected—be—of Her?

Bygningen hist, hvor Kanoner er lagt, var fordum et Kloster,
Siden en Fæstning det blev, nu er det Pak-Huus for Korn.
Saadan gaaer Humaniteten frem! I barbariske Tider
Dyrkedes Gud, saa Krig, endelig Ager og Eng.

No more the swindler singly seeks his prey;
To hunt in couples is the modern way
A rascal, from the public to purloin,
An honest man to hide away the coin.

Coolness of the melons
flecked with mud
in the morning dew.


Translated by Robert Hass

Coolness--
the sound of the bell
as it leaves the bell.


Translated by Robert Hass

I walked abroad in Easter Park,
I heard the wild dog's distant bark,
I knew my Lord was risen again, -
Wild dog, wild dog, you bark in vain.

You ask why I nestle in the green mountains.
I laugh but answer not - my heart is serene.
Peach blossoms and flowing waters go without a trace.
There is another Heaven and Earth beyond the world of man.

'By good men's prayers see Grant restored!'
Shouts Talmage, pious creature!
Yes, God, by supplication bored
From every droning preacher,
Exclaimed: 'So be it, tiresome crew
But I've a crow to pick with you.'