Category Archives: W. G. Mäurer


W. G. Mäurer: “The Past and the Present”

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For peace, in foreign regions, chill and bleak,

I search in vain. “Upon thy Fatherland

She dwells!” I hear my throbbing heart thus speak.

Would, I possessed a cot on that loved strand!

There life might calmly glide. My home I’ll seek,

And thence the world survey! I take in hand

My pilgrim’s staff , and, with a joyous heart.

Towards my beloved native land, depart.

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Again I wander to th’ umbrageous tree

Beneath whose boughs passed many a summer’s day,

My soul enwrapped in ideality,

Gay dreams beguiling swift-winged hours away,

While the melodious lark sang anthems free;

Forsaking earth, he sang, beneath Heaven’s ray:

Now fancy represents, to my charmed sight,

Youth’s fairy scenes, in colours, rich and bright.

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The objects that were wont to chafe each vein.

Re-vivify me, as in days gone by:

My first beloved I now behold again,

Each movement, feature, glance, can I descry,

Though years, I’ve wandered on a distant plain.

Yet, when my name she utters, Heaven seems nigh.

And o’er a drear existence, brightly smile

Love’s fostering ray that was eclipsed, awhile.

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