 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
119
AT KANZELI
ABOVE ST. BEATENBERG
Lord, what a pulpit is this seat of Thine!
Here canst Thou speak a word to every nation,
Bidding them bring a soul of adoration,
And cast their hearts in worship at Thy shrine.
But if they come not, snowy mountains shine,
Blue lake and sky and wondrous vegetation,
These give Thee glory, and for congregation
Thou hast Thy silent multitude of pine.
Here canst Thou speak a word to every nation,
Bidding them bring a soul of adoration,
And cast their hearts in worship at Thy shrine.
But if they come not, snowy mountains shine,
Blue lake and sky and wondrous vegetation,
These give Thee glory, and for congregation
Thou hast Thy silent multitude of pine.
These hear and these obey Thee; mortal men
Hearing obey not; ceaselessly the fountains
Sing to Thee psalms, the forest claps its hands,
The cattle roving in their tinkling bands
Chime to the chorus, and from far-off mountains
The falling avalanche thunders an Amen.
Hearing obey not; ceaselessly the fountains
Sing to Thee psalms, the forest claps its hands,
The cattle roving in their tinkling bands
Chime to the chorus, and from far-off mountains
The falling avalanche thunders an Amen.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |