I have heard that there lies a land far hence A noble realm well-known unto men, In the eastern kingdoms. That corner of the world Is not easy of access to every tribe 5 On the face of the earth, but afar it was placed By the might of the Maker from men of sin. The plain is beautiful, a place of blessings, And filled with the fairest fragrance of earth; Matchless is that island, its maker unequalled, 10 Steadfast and strong of heart, who established that land. There are often open to the eyes of the blessed, The happiness of the holy through heaven's door. That is a winsome plain; the woods are green, Far stretching under the stars. There no storm of rain or snow, 15 Nor breath of frost nor blast of fire, Nor fall of hail nor hoary frost, Nor burning sun nor bitter cold, Nor warm weather nor winter showers Shall work any woe, but that winsome plain 20 Is wholesome and unharmed; in that happy land Blossoms are blown. No bold hills nor mountains There stand up steep; no stony cliffs Lift high their heads as here with us, Nor dales nor glens nor darksome gorges, 25 Nor caves nor crags; nor occur there ever Anything rough; but under radiant skies Flourish the fields in flowers and blossoms. This lovely land lieth higher By twelve full fathoms, as famous writers, 30 As sages say and set forth in books, Than any of the hills that here with us Rise bright and high under heaven's stars. Peaceful is that plain, pleasant its sunny grove, Winsome its woodland glades; never wanes its increase 35 Nor fails of its fruitage, but fair stand the trees, Ever green as God had given command; In winter and summer the woodlands cease not To be filled with fruit, and there fades not a leaf; Not a blossom is blighted nor burned by the fire 40 Through all the ages till the end of time, Till the world shall fail. When the fury of waters Over all the earth in olden times Covered the world, then the wondrous plain, Unharmed and unhurt by the heaving flood, 45 Strongly withstood and stemmed the waves, Blest and uninjured through the aid of God: Thus blooming it abides till the burning fire Of the day of doom when the death-chambers open And the ghastly graves shall give up their dead. 50 No fearsome foe is found in that land, No sign of distress, no strife, no weeping, Neither age, nor misery, nor the menace of death, Nor failing of life, nor foemen's approach, No sin nor trial nor tribulation, 55 Nor the want of wealth, nor work for the pauper,