In Switzerland, 1889.
The Angel walking with me took my hand,1
And said : “ No longer here mayst thou abide ;2
To the soft valleys and low-level land3
Come down, and, humbly looking up, reside,4
Till in thy lowest home thou’rt laid to dwell,5
And I have come, thither to be thy guide.”6
“ My mountains, oh, my mountains, fare ye well ! ”—7
Weeping— “ Oh, look on me once more ! ” I cried.8
But thickest mist encompassed every head,9
And darkness round each pinnacle was spread.10
One milky stream, from a great snowy breast,11
Came down with me, singing to my unrest,12
Bidding me not lament, since it, too, came13
From the wild mountains, to the meadows tame ;14
From its dark silent cradle, clamorously15
Called by the voices of the sounding sea ;16
Leaving the rocky turrets of the earth,17
And the dark fragrant forests near its birth,18
Whose hairy talons clasp each mossy stone,19
Lest by the lightnings they should be o’erthrown :20
Below these iron-footed giants grey,21
Soft velvet carpets, with sweet blossoms gay,22
Spread on the lowest steps of that steep way ;23
And here, disconsolate, I weeping lay,24
Until the Angel on my shoulder laid25
A tender, pitying hand, and to me said—26
“ Lo ! I have come to smooth thy downward path,27
And lead thee gently to thy home beneath ;28
Dry thy vain tears, and hush thy weak lament,29
To strengthen, and support thee, am I sent.30
Look up once more—look ! ” And each awful head31
In the departing light glowed ruby red.32
“ Now hast thou seen that last great glory well ? ”33
My angel said, and at her feet I fell.34
My mountains, oh, my mountains, fare ye well !35