Translations: Prelude lyrics

As treasures that men seek,
       &nbsp Deep-buried in sea-sands,
Vanish if they but speak,
       &nbsp And elude their eager hands,

So ye escape and slip,
       &nbsp O songs, and fade away,
When the word is on my lip
       &nbsp To interpret what ye say.

Were it not better, then,
       &nbsp To let the treasures rest
Hid from the eyes of men,
       &nbsp Locked in their iron chest?

I have but marked the place,
       &nbsp But half the secret told,
That, following this slight trace,
       &nbsp Others may find the gold.