From the German. The Statue over the Cathedral Door

(Das Steinbild am Dome)
By Julius Mosen

FORMS of saints and kings are standing

The cathedral door above;

Yet I saw but one among them

Who hath soothed my soul with love.

In his mantle,—wound about him,

As their robes the sowers wind,—

Bore he swallows and their fledglings,

Flowers and weeds of every kind.

And so stands he calm and childlike,

High in wind and tempest wild;

Oh, were I like him exalted,

I would be like him a child!

And my songs,—green leaves and blossoms,—

To the doors of heaven would bear,

Calling even in storm and tempest,

Round me still these birds of air.