Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)

From the Spanish of Lope de Vega

SHEPHERD! that with thine amorous, sylvan song

Hast broken the slumber which encompassed me,—

That mad’st thy crook from the accurséd tree,

On which thy powerful arms were stretched so long!

Lead me to mercy’s ever-flowing fountains;

For thou my shepherd, guard, and guide shall be;

I will obey thy voice, and wait to see

Thy feet all beautiful upon the mountains.

Hear, Shepherd!—thou who for thy flock art dying,

O, wash away these scarlet sins, for thou

Rejoicest at the contrite sinner’s vow.

O, wait!—to thee my weary soul is crying,—

Wait for me!—Yet why ask it, when I see,

With feet nailed to the cross, thou ’rt waiting still for me!