"Du väktare i skyn! Är natten ännu lång?
Vi tro ej stjernans ljus, ej månans stilla gång
Vi trodde uppå dig. Så upplys jordens slägten!
Är natten ännu lång? Och kommer morgonväkten?"
[C] His great popularity with the masses naturally caused them to apply to him for all sorts of information and advice, with full confidence that he knew how to assist and advise in all matters. As an example of his oft peculiar way of treating queer questions, and yet satisfying the questioner, the following may be related: For about twenty years a number of writs and fore-tellings had frightened credulous people with the prediction that the world would perish on a certain given date. As the time drew near that date Wallin was besieged for information as to the validity of the said prediction. To the constantly repeated question, "Is it true, Bishop, that the world shall perish on Thursday?" Wallin had always the same answer: "Please call again on Friday, and I will let you know." The questioner withdrew consoled.
[D] Wallin not only revised completely the old hymn-book of the church, but composed a very large number of the divinely beautiful and universally celebrated songs, of which the present Swedish hymn-book is composed.
[E] The literal translation of the last two lines (impossible to retain while maintaining the original meter) is:
Thou first voice in the Literary Circle!
Thou poet as few! Thou orator as none!
ANGEL OF DEATH.
Ye children, Adam's, of earth begotten,
Who unto earth shall again return!
You are my own: Be it not forgotten,
I am the penalty sin did earn!...
O man, time's guest!
With my grasp, I reach thee,
From east to west,
And by voices, teach thee
With scripture's word in the Master's name,
From air and water and earth and flame.
You build and dwell like the sparrows, building,
In sunny summer, their fragile nest:
Securely feeling, in shady shielding,
They sing so joyful in happy rest;
But sudden gust
Of the tempest shatters
The tiny crust
Of their nest in tatters—
The merry song, heard so short before,
With grief is silenced forevermore.