POEM
(A Translation)
In childhood I saw Him, the sun in His eye,
Thru the gleam of the rainbow above the dear hills.
To our play as He kissed me the great stars seemed nigh,
Yet the Cross in the forest stood somber and still.
Youth grew to its morning, in visions He came,
When the spirit ranged bravely where splendor abode.
Even death and decay in His light lost their shame,
He beckoned me on, and still upward I strove.
In manhood I saw Him, when summer grew strong,
And sin quickened to fear in the sense of His frown,
The death thought me threatened, the shadows grew long,
With the weight of heart-sinkings my head was bowed down.
First then He revealed me the wealth of His mercy,
First then did the burden grow sweet to the soul;
The sense of the Shepherd Compassionate gripped me,
The Cross that stood stark had become a dear goal.
When the candle of life burneth low I shall see Him,
The weakening hand I shall suppliant reach.
Tho the heart beat is still, and the eye has gone dim,
His kind love at the last I shall smilingly greet.