The Statue Over The Cathedral Door

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Translations from the German
From Julius Mosen

Forms of saints and kings are standing
The cathedral door above;
Yet I saw but one among them
Who hath soothed my soul with love.

In his mantle, -- wound about him,
As their robes the sowers wind, --
Bore he swallows and their fledglings,
Flowers and weeds of every kind.

And so stands he calm and childlike!
High in wind and tempest wild;
O, were I like him exalted,
I would be like him, a child!

And my songs, green leaves and blossoms,
To the doors of heaven would bear,
Calling, even in storm and tempest,
Round me still these birds of air.