C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Friedrich Rückert (1788–1866)

Translation of James Freeman Clarke

ONLY a shelter for my head I sought,

One stormy winter night;

To me the blessing of my life was brought,

Making the whole world bright.

How shall I thank thee for a gift so sweet,

O dearest Heavenly Friend?

I sought a resting-place for weary feet,

And found my journey’s end.

Only the latchet of a friendly door

My timid fingers tried:

A loving heart, with all its precious store,

To me was opened wide.

I asked for shelter from a passing shower—

My sun shall always shine!

I would have sat beside the hearth an hour—

And the whole heart was mine!