How Beauteous Is the World

Did I once curse my life

As one big, dreadful strife?
Did through the world affright

I roam, like ghosts at night.
Indeed, I blush with shame,
To have injured thy fame

Thou life, which art so sweet,

Thou world, with bliss replete-

My wild youth's stormy days
Have calm become. The rays

Of heaven's smiling eye
Spread light beneath the sky,
Like loving mothers do
When they their babies view.

Indeed, our life is sweet.

The world with bliss replete.

Each day that comes and goes
Weeds out one of my woes.
A garden is once more
My heart, and by the score
Sweet flowers therein bloom
Each with a rich, perfume.
Indeed, our life is sweet,
The world with bliss replete.

No more with diffidence
I view faith; confidence
My soul gladdens anew,

As if friends, good and true,
Who had been absent long
Around me now would throng.
Indeed, our life is sweet, •
The world with bliss replete.
Friends of my youth! Come nigh,

And nearer still, for I
Shall nevermore offend
By mistrusting a friend.

Mistrust, — the devil's own, —

Forever I disown.
Indeed, our life is sweet,
The world with bliss replete.

And comes then to my mind,
The flower which had entwined
Itself around my heart, —

A fair dream's counterpart, —
The brown maid I adore
Who loves me with loves lore:
Indeed, then life is sweet,

The world with bliss replete.