I

News from a foreign country came,

As if my treasure and my wealth lay there:

So much it did my heart enflame

'Twas wont to call my soul into mine ear,

Which thither went to meet

The approaching sweet,

And on the threshold stood,

To entertain the unknown Good.

It hovered there

As if 'twould leave mine ear,

And was so eager to embrace

The joyful tidings as they came,

'Twould almost leave its dwelling-place,

To entertain that same.