Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/394

360 Burst ye your prison, Rend ye each chain! Songs of praise lead ye,— Love to show, heed ye,— Hungry ones feed ye,— Preaching, on speed ye,— Coming joys plead ye,— Then is the Master near, Then is He here!

IV.

CHORUS OF SPIRITS.

, dark clouds on high, Offspring of night! Let a more radiant beam Through the blue ether gleam, Charming the sight! Would the dark clouds on high Melt into air! Stars glimmer tenderly, Planets more fair Shed their soft light. Spirits of heavenly birth, Fairer than sons of earth, Quiv'ring emotions true Hover above; Yearning affections, too, In their train move. See how the spirit band, By the soft breezes fanned, Covers the smiling land,— Covers the leafy grove, Where happy lovers rove, Deep in a dream of love,