Where weapons are clashing And trumpets are blown, Where hearts are with hate and with madness o'erflowing, Where mortals are wand'ring, their goal never knowing, Thence turn we our footsteps, in haste to be gone. ARTS We hate the deceivers, Despisers of heaven; We seek among mortals Who to virtue are given. Where pure hearts have welcome To give to a friend, We will build habitations To dwell without end. THE MAIDEN What is this strange feeling? What can it betoken? By some hidden power my nature is moved, They call to my heart like the friends I have loved-- Yet never before with these strangers I've spoken. THE COUNTRY PEOPLE What is this strange feeling? What can it betoken? GENIUS Ah, but yonder see I mortals, Come to revel with delight. Look--with ribbons and with garlands Richly is the tree bedight! Surely joy their bosom fills-- [_To the country people_.] Tell me what it is you do. THE FATHER Shepherds are we of these hills, And a feast we keep, 'tis true. GENIUS What the feast? I fain would hear! THE MOTHER In honor of our lady dear, Great as good, and good as great, Who, to bless our humble vale, From her high imperial station Has descended--her we hail! THE YOUTH For her charms our jubilation, Kindness like the sun's warm rays! GENIUS Wherefore do you plant a tree? THE YOUTH Ah, it comes of foreign race, And its heart toward home is yearning; That is why we fear its turning From its new abiding-place. GENIUS That is why you plant it deep, With the soil its roots encase, That its blessings you may keep In its new abiding-place? THE MAIDEN To her native land that bind her Many, many are the ties-- All that she has left behind her In her childhood's paradise: All her mother's fond embraces, And the love of noble brothers, And her sisters' tender bosoms. Can we then in equal measures, Can the world, supply a price For such pleasures, For such treasures? GENIUS Love can reach to any distance, Is not bound by far or near. As the fire is undiminished When another flame is kindled With its heat, to glow more clear, So that has no tie to bind her, Which of old she held most dear: Though she has left love behind her, She will find love dwelling here. THE MOTHER She has come from halls of state, Rich with gold and crystal sheen; Can our hills please one so great, Where for gold we boast but sunshine, And our wealth is meadows green? GENIUS In a heart of princely kind Much is hidden from your sense. Know, then, that a noble mind Puts the greatness into living, Never needs to draw it thence. THE YOUTH