Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Complete Poetical Works. 1893.
TranslationsPrelude
As treasures that men seek,
Deep buried in sea-sands,
Vanish if they but speak,
And elude their eager hands,—
O songs, and fade away,
When the word is on my lip
To interpret what ye say.
To let the treasures rest
Hid from the eyes of men
Locked in their iron chest?
But half the secret told,
That, following this slight trace,
Others may find the gold.