THE CUCKOO AND THE NIGHTINGALE

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Translated 1801. [A]--Published 1841 [B]




I


The God of Love-- ah, benedicite!


How mighty and how great a Lord is he!


For he of low hearts can make high, of high


He can make low, and unto death bring nigh;



And hard hearts he can make them kind and free. [1]



II



Within a little time, as hath been found,


He can make sick folk whole and fresh and sound:


Them who are whole in body and in mind,


He can make sick,--bind can he and unbind


All that he will have bound, or have unbound.



III



To tell his might my wit may not suffice;


Foolish men he can make them out of wise;--


For he may do all that he will devise;


Loose livers he can make abate their vice,


And proud hearts can make tremble in a trice.



IV



In brief, the whole of what he will, he may;


Against him dare not any wight say nay;


To humble or afflict whome'er he will,


To gladden or to grieve, he hath like skill;


But most his might he sheds on the eve of May.



V


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