Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79.
A Rhine Legend
By Emanuel Geibel (18151884)B
How softly glows the night!
The vine-clad hills are lying
In the moonbeams’ golden light.
A kingly shadow down,
With sword and purple mantle,
And heavy golden crown.
Who, with a powerful hand,
For many a hundred years
Hath ruled in German land.
He hath arisen there,
To bless once more his vineyards,
And breathe their fragrant air.
The moon doth brightly shine,
And buildeth a bridge of gold
Across the emerald Rhine.
And all along the tide
Bestows his benediction
On the vineyards far and wide.
In his grave-sleep to remain,
Till the New Year’s fragrant clusters
Shall call him forth again.
And drink, with the golden wine,
The German hero-spirit,
And its hero-strength divine.