Part 513 (1/2)

The stage to him is pure and undefiled; Chased from the regions that to her belong Are Nature's tones, so careless and so wild, To him e'en language rises into song; A realm harmonious 'tis, of beauty mild, Where limb unites to limb in order strong.

The whole into a solemn temple blends, And 'tis the dance that grace to motion lends.

And yet the Frank must not be made our guide.

For in his art no living spirit reigns: The boasting gestures of a spurious pride That mind which only loves the true disdains.

To n.o.bler ends alone be it applied, Returning, like some soul's long-vanished manes.

To render the oft-sullied stage once more A throne befitting the great muse of yore.

THE PRESENT.

Ring and staff, oh to me on a Rhenish flask ye are welcome!

Him a true shepherd I call, who thus gives drink to his sheep.

Draught thrice blest! It is by the Muse I have won thee,--the Muse, too, Sends thee,--and even the church places upon thee her seal.

DEPARTURE FROM LIFE.

Two are the roads that before thee lie open from life to conduct thee; To the ideal one leads thee, the other to death.

See that while yet thou art free, on the first thou commencest thy journey, Ere by the merciless fates on to the other thou'rt led!

VERSES WRITTEN IN THE FOLIO ALb.u.m OF A LEARNED FRIEND.

Once wisdom dwelt in tomes of ponderous size, While friends.h.i.+p from a pocketbook would talk; But now that knowledge in small compa.s.s lies, And floats in almanacs, as light as cork, Courageous man, thou dost not hesitate To open for thy friends this house so great!

Hast thou no fear, I seriously would ask, That thou may'st thus their patience overtask?

VERSES WRITTEN IN THE ALb.u.m OF A FRIEND.

(HERR VON MECHELN OF BASLE.)

Nature in charms is exhaustless, in beauty ever reviving; And, like Nature, fair art is inexhaustible too.

Hail, thou honored old man! for both in thy heart thou preservest Living sensations, and thus ne'er-ending youth is thy lot!

THE SUNDAY CHILDREN.

Years has the master been laboring, but always without satisfaction; To an ingenious race 'twould be in vision conferred.