Dend XIV. Sang
The Transience of Earthly Glory
The author reflects on the fleeting nature of worldly success, power, and beauty compared to the eternal bliss of heaven.
Sorrow and joy walk hand in hand with hope; happiness and unhappiness take turns; success and failure call out to one another; sunshine and clouds follow in each other's wake. Earthly gold is splendid soil, Heaven is the only one full of bliss. Crowns and scepters play in diamond games, Yet play is not the royal garment! Thousands of burdens in the crowns weigh, A thousandfold effort in the scepter's power! A king's crown is a beautiful trouble. Heaven alone makes one blessed and joyful! Everything has its changing fortune. Everyone can find sorrow in their heart. The breast is full of sorrow and hidden harm beneath the precious ornament! Everyone has their own, whether great or small. Heaven alone frees from sorrow! Wealth, wisdom, and fleeting honor, Strength and youth in blooming years, Can lift the head high above others, Yet they all fall away and vanish with time! Everything must come to an end; only the bliss of heaven will last. The most delightful roses have the sharpest thorns, the most beautiful flowers bear a stinging poison; under a rose-like heart, the heart can wither, for fate is so strangely fickle. In the waters of the flood, our land flows; heaven has a unique state of bliss.
Steadfastness in God's Providence
The author resolves to remain unmoved by worldly fortune, trusting in God's ultimate plan and the promise of eternal reward.
Well then! I won't concern myself with whether the world goes according to my wishes. No concern will bend me; nothing will make my heart timid! Sorrow will die, and the seeds of joy will bloom on the island of heavenly bliss. Anguish will adorn a lasting joy, Whatever shall win its crown from the vine! Poverty shall be dressed in royal attire, Weakness shall rise upon the healthiest limb! Envy will stand bound in chains; Heaven can accomplish all of this. Let my lot and my fortune fall as they may, according to how my God and my Lord desire it. Let envy pour out its bile; let the world play its game.
Read the original Latin
Sorrig og Glæde de vandre tilhaabe, Lykke, Ulykke de ganger paa Rad, Medgang og Modgang hin anden anraabe, Soelskin og Skyer de følgis og ad! Jorderiigs Guld Er prægtig Muld, Himlen er Ene af Salighed fuld.
Kroner og Scepter i Demant-spill lege, Leeg er dog ikke dend kongelig Dragt! Tusinde Byrder i Kronerne hvege, Tusindfold Omhu i Scepterets Magt! Kongernis Boe Er skiøn Uroe! Himlen allene giør salig og froe!
Alle Ting hâr sin foranderlig Lykke! Alle kand finde sin Sorrig i Barm! Tiit ere Bryst, under dyrebar Smykke, Fulde af Sorrig og hemmelig Harm! Alle hâr sit, Stort eller Lit! Himlen allene for Sorgen er qvit!
Velde og Vijßdom og timelig Ære, Styrke og Ungdom i blomstrende Aar, Høyt over andre kand Hovedet bære, Falder dog af og i Tjden forgaar! Alle Ting maa Enden opnaa, Himmelens Salighed Ene skal staa!
Deyligste Roser hâr stindeste Toorne, Skiønneste Blomster sin tærende Gift, Under en Rosen-kind Hiertet kand foorne, For dog at Skæbnen saa sælsom er skift! I Vaade-vand Flyder vort Land, Himlen hâr Ene Lyksaligheds Stand.
Vel da! saa vil jeg mig aldrig bemøye Om ikke Verden gaar efter min Agt! Ingen Bekymring skal kunde mig bøye, Intet skal giøre mit Hierte forsagt! Sorrig skal døe, Lystigheds Frøe Blomstris paa Himle-Lyksaligheds Øe!
Angist skal aule en varende Glæde, Qvide skal vinde sin Tott udaf Teen! Armod skal prydis i rjgeste Klæde, Svaghed skal reysis paa sundeste Been! Avind skal staa Fengsled i Vraae, Himlen kand Ene alt dette formaa!
Lad da min Lod og min Lykke kun falde Hvordan min GUd og min HErre hand vill, Lad ikkun Avind udøse sin Galde, Lad kun og Verden fulddrive sit Spill! Tjdernis Bom Bliver dog tom, Himlen skal kiøre altingest her-om!
Spiritual Songs (Selection) companion
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