FROM THE SPANISH OF LUIS PONCE DE LEON. <br /> <br /> <br />Region of life and light! <br />Land of the good whose earthly toils are o'er! <br />Nor frost nor heat may blight <br />Thy vernal beauty, fertile shore, <br />Yielding thy blessed fruits for evermore! <br /> <br />There without crook or sling, <br />Walks the good shepherd; blossoms white and red <br />Round his meek temples cling; <br />And to sweet pastures led, <br />His own loved flock beneath his eye is fed. <br /> <br />He guides, and near him they <br />Follow delighted, for he makes them go <br />Where dwells eternal May, <br />And heavenly roses blow, <br />Deathless, and gathered but again to grow. <br /> <br />He leads them to the height <br />Named of the infinite and long-sought Good, <br />And fountains of delight; <br />And where his feet have stood <br />Springs up, along the way, their tender food. <br /> <br />And when, in the mid skies, <br />The climbing sun has reached his highest bound, <br />Reposing as he lies, <br />With all his flock around, <br />He witches the still air with numerous sound. <br /> <br />From his sweet lute flow forth <br />Immortal harmonies, of power to still <br />All passions born of earth, <br />And draw the ardent will <br />Its destiny of goodness to fulfil. <br /> <br />Might but a little part, <br />A wandering breath of that high melody, <br />Descend into my heart, <br />And change it till it be <br />Transformed and swallowed up, oh love! in thee. <br /> <br />Ah! then my soul should know, <br />Beloved! where thou liest at noon of day, <br />And from this place of woe <br />Released, should take its way <br />To mingle with thy flock and never stray.<br /><br />William Cullen Bryant<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/life-of-the-blessed/
