 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
43
HERRN RÜTLI
ENGELBERG
When that old Abbot hither drove his kine,
And set on Rütli's hill his byre and bield,
He knew what hand it was that gave him field,
Herb for the cattle, plenteous dew for wine;
And so beside his pen he set this shrine,
And taught his shepherds Christ was Lord and shield,
That not in vain the convent prayers appealed
For fruits on earth, and wealth in things divine.
And set on Rütli's hill his byre and bield,
He knew what hand it was that gave him field,
Herb for the cattle, plenteous dew for wine;
And so beside his pen he set this shrine,
And taught his shepherds Christ was Lord and shield,
That not in vain the convent prayers appealed
For fruits on earth, and wealth in things divine.
The shrine is buried, the monk behind the bars
Who held the lily, moulders and decays,
But all who pass this consecrated mound
Will find that from the unforgetful ground
Each Spring come forth earth's multi-coloured stars,
And on the farm Heaven's benediction stays.
Who held the lily, moulders and decays,
But all who pass this consecrated mound
Will find that from the unforgetful ground
Each Spring come forth earth's multi-coloured stars,
And on the farm Heaven's benediction stays.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |