From this seed:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.” That is: “The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure: and he that hath little business shall become wise.” “to bring to nought things that are.”
1. I’ll not go to the moneyed city.
I’ll live in the fields.
I’ll pass through my life where time quietly rushes on.
O oak grove! O green grove! O dear mother of mine!
In you life is joyful. In you there is peace and quiet.
2. Glorious towering cities drive you to the sea of sorrows.
Beautiful gates, so wide – lead to bitter captivity.
O oak grove!.. O green grove! And so forth.
3. I do not want to travel to the sea, nor do I desire fine clothes.
Beneath them grief is concealed, sorrows, fear, and rebellion.
O oak grove!.. And so forth.
4. I don’t yearn to capture cities to the beat of drums,
I don’t yearn to frighten petty officials
with high office.
O oak grove!.. And so forth.
5. I don’t want any new lessons other than a sound mind.
Other than Christ’s wisdom, whose thought is sweet.
O oak grove!.. And so forth.
6. I wish for nothing but bread and water.
Poverty is my friend, we have been kin for a long time.
O oak grove!.. And so forth.
7. Peace and holy freedom – from all corporeal estates.
Besides the heavenly eternities, life alone is sacred for me.
O oak grove!.. And so forth.
8. And if in addition to these pleasures I am victorious over sin,
Then I do not know whether
anything could be better than these comforts.
O oak grove!.. And so forth.
9. Greetings, my cherished peacefulness!
Eternally you will be mine.
It is good for me to be with you:
be mine forever and I will be yours.
O oak grove! O freedom! In you I began to grow wise,
My nature is for you, in you I want to die.
The End.