Couldst thou have conceived this vision, What wouldst thou have given, Most dearly beloved,-- Thou who art so weak in body and mind, And so strong in faith! Thou who so singly honorest the Trinity, Who kissest daily the pug and the reins and the paws Of thy lofty protectress, And hastenest with canting devotion To the Aulic councilor and to the councilor of justice, And at last to the council of the Realm In the pious city, Where sand and faith flourish, And the long-suffering waters of the sacred Spree Purify souls and dilute tea. Couldst thou have conceived this vision Most dearly beloved, Thou hadst borne it to the lofty minnows of the market place, With thy pale blinking countenance, Rapt with piety and humility; And their high mightinesses Ravished and trembling with ecstacy, Would have fallen praying with thee on their knees, And their eyes glowing with beatitude, Would have promised thee an increase of salary, Of a hundred thalers Prussian currency. And thou wouldst have stammered with folded hands, "Praised be Jesus Christ!" SECOND CYCLUS. Motto, Xenophon's Anabasis--IV. V. I. SALUTATION TO THE SEA. Thalatta! Thalatta! All hail to thee, thou Eternal sea! All hail to thee ten thousand times From my jubilant heart, As once thou wast hailed By ten thousand Grecian hearts, Misfortune-combating, homeward-yearning, World-renowned Grecian hearts. The waters heaved, They heaved and roared. The sun poured streaming downward Its flickering rosy lights. The startled flocks of sea-mews Fluttered away with shrill screams; The coursers stamped, the shields rattled, And far out, resounded like a triumphal paean, Thalatta! Thalatta! All hail to thee, thou Eternal Sea! Like the language of home, thy water whispers to me. Like the dreams of my childhood I see it glimmer. Over thy billowy realm of waves. And it repeats to me anew olden memories, Of all the beloved glorious sports, Of all the twinkling Christmas gifts, Of all the ruddy coral-trees, Tiny golden fishes, pearls and bright-hued mussels, Which thou dost secretly preserve Below there in thy limpid house of crystal.