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Saladin
(A translation of the verses, in German, by Alfred Rehtz, in the Agnostic Journal for April 29th, 1905.)
Published in the Agnostic Journal London, England 13 May 1905 (page 295)
Dark visions once overcast The good green earth we tread, And the slaves of the clinging Past Wandered, blind and unled.
And every man his heart Must in that crowd enfold, Nor from the path depart His fathers trod of old.
And here and there a light 'Twas given one to find, But the crowd knew but the night, And scorned him, being blind.
For men had dwelt in the dark For æons, and, fearing it bright, Hated the glittering spark, And mocked, in their hatred of light.
But torches were kindled, and they Who bore them persisted, and then The Temple of Folly soon lay In dust at the feet of men.
And before an army vast, A hero, with banner unfurled, Rises: with challenging blast He wakens the sleeping world.
From Faith's hard fetters be free!" How the dark, dark shadows are seen To flee from the light! And we Cry, "Lead us still on Saladin!"
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