The Wishes - Johannes Ewald

All hail, thou new year, that apparell'd in sweetness 
Now spring'st like a youth from eternity's breast! 
Oh! say, dost thou come from the bright throne of greatness, 
Our herald of merey, of gladness, and rest! 
Cheer the heart of our king with benignity's token! 
Light his soul with the sunbeam that sets not above! 
Be his sword unresisted, his sceptre unbroken; 
Oh, peace be to CHRISTIAN, the monarch we love! 
 
With an emerald zone bind the rocks of the North; 
O'er Denmark's green vales spread a buckler of gold; 
Pour the glories of harvest unsparingly forth, 
And show that our wealth is our dear native mould: 
Smile on the conqueror of ocean, who urges 
Through darkness and tempests, his blue path to fame; 
May the sea spare her hero, and waft on her surges 
Blessings and peace to the land whence he came
 
Round the forehead of art twine the wreath that she loves, 
And harden to labour the sinews of youth; 
With a hedge of stout hearts guard our Eden's fair groves, 
And temper their valour with mercy and truth: 
Bless him, to whom heaven its bright flame commendeth, 
And shadow his couch with the folds of thy love; 
Give light to our judges — the heart that ne'er bendeth— 
Inspirit our bards, and our teachers approve. 

Oh, bless'd be the firm-hearted hero, who weaves not 
A thought or a wish but his spirit may own! 
Oh, shame on the cold son of interest, who cleaves not 
To the heart of his country, and loves her alone! 
Be her welfare our glory — our joy — our devotion; 
Unchill'd be her valour, her worth undecay'd; 
May her friends on her fields gaze with rapture's emotion; 
May she long love the stranger, but ask not his aid!

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Johannes Ewald (1743 - 1781) Denmark
Translated by William Sidney Walker
Source: Poems: from the Danish by Andreas Andersen Feldborg, Thomas Dobson, 1816