 | The heavenly guest with other unpublished writings |  |
61
IN SWITZERLAND
On the dark dull day, through Zurich town,
Glided the train from the station out.
The while from the windows, up and down,
An eager traveller peered about.
Glided the train from the station out.
The while from the windows, up and down,
An eager traveller peered about.
Red-tiled roofs with their gables quaint,
Misty mountains all dim and gray,
Glimpse of the lake's rare color faint,
Came and went as it crept away.
Misty mountains all dim and gray,
Glimpse of the lake's rare color faint,
Came and went as it crept away.
Under the eaves, at a casement queer,
Swung out like a door, was a pleasant sight,
A little Swiss maiden, fair and dear,
Was scrubbing the small panes clean and bright.
Swung out like a door, was a pleasant sight,
A little Swiss maiden, fair and dear,
Was scrubbing the small panes clean and bright.
O, but a sweet, dear child was she,
Little old-fashioned, charming maid!
Her blonde hair, just as her mother's might be
Coiled high up in a golden braid.
Little old-fashioned, charming maid!
Her blonde hair, just as her mother's might be
Coiled high up in a golden braid.
And with what purpose and cheer scrubbed she,
Turning the window this way and that,
Pushing it backward and forward to see,
As perched on the low broad sill she sat.
Turning the window this way and that,
Pushing it backward and forward to see,
As perched on the low broad sill she sat.
Little she knew as with such a will.
She toiled away with her cheerful might.
How one admired her homely skill.
And her pretty self as she passed from sight!
She toiled away with her cheerful might.
How one admired her homely skill.
And her pretty self as she passed from sight!
62
Now when I remember quaint Zurich town,
There comes like a picture before my eyes,
With her yellow hair and her homespun gown,
That little maid and her labor wise.
There comes like a picture before my eyes,
With her yellow hair and her homespun gown,
That little maid and her labor wise.
And I think she will so clean and clear
The window whence her soul must see
Life's various shadow and shine appear,
And watch with patience what there may be.
The window whence her soul must see
Life's various shadow and shine appear,
And watch with patience what there may be.
For if only the glass of the mind is clean,
Then brighter the sun and lighter the shade!
Sorrows less bitter, joys more serene,
By the cheerful spirit are surely made.
Then brighter the sun and lighter the shade!
Sorrows less bitter, joys more serene,
By the cheerful spirit are surely made.
| The heavenly guest with other unpublished writings | |