European Elegies/Autumn (2)/"All tired things"
98.“ALL TIRED THINGS”
All tired things of earth now find Relief in sleep,While gently the great shepherd wind Herds home his sheep.
All through the day he drove them far, From east to west,And now behind the star-fold bar Brings them to rest.
In silence from the sight are borne The snow-fleeced flock;And the great shepherd drops his horn, Lays down his stock.
Softly he bars the skyey gate, With drowsy croon,While o'er the bridge of heaven strides late The watchman-moon.
Light-flooded all the moorlands lie, Slumbering and still,Save for the dark waves' stifled sigh Beneath the hill.
All tired things of earth now find Relief in sleep,For the great shepherd of all living kind Has lodged his sheep.
From the Danish of L. C. Nielsen.