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Songs Old and New

... Collected Edition [by Elizabeth Charles]

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SPRINGING INTO LIFE.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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164

SPRINGING INTO LIFE.

“Sie hat ihren Sprung gethan.
Ach! wollt' Gott ich hätt' auch den Sprung gethan!
Ich wollt' mich nicht sehr hernieder sehnen.”
Dr. Martin Luther.

Say not they sank to rest
As a wave whose force is spent,
As a weary child on its mother's breast,—
So it seemed, but not thus they went.
Not thus it seemed to those
Who watch by our side alway,
And through the calm of the last repose
See the dawn of the endless day.
Say, rather, they sprang to life!
Strong and free to life they sprang;
As the warrior sprang to the strife
When the clarion's summons rang;

165

As a stream the frosts enchain
By the touch of spring set free,
Vocal and strong bounds forth again,
Springs forth to meet the sea;
As a bird of some sunny land,
Caged in the darkness long,
Freed by the touch of a friendly hand
Springs into light and song.
Say not they sank to rest!
They sprang to life and song!—
As a waking child to its mother's breast,
Refreshed and glad and strong