ON AMERICAN SOIL 203 



"Anfangs wollt icli fast verzagen 

 "Und ich glaubt', ich triig es nie— 



"Und ich hab' es doch ertragen, 

 "Aber fragt' mich nur nicbt wie!" 



(Translated: 



"First I almost died despairing 



"Doubting, that I stand the strain, 

 "Still, I've borne it without yielding 

 "How? You ask of me in vain!" 



-J. C. B.) 



Then follows our young author's own composition: 



"When, in the battle of life, the heart of man is seem- 

 "ingly burning to ashes, in consequence of a stroke of 

 "fate's own lightning, when he sees drop by drop of his 

 "heart's blood trickle into dust, let him not despair, but 

 "rather revive his drooping spirits, as well as his pride, 

 "both of which, aided by perseverance and self-reliance, 

 "will help him to victory in all struggles which the fu- 

 "ture may have in store for him. Help thyself and God 

 il i<iU help thee.'''' 



Then follows Riickert's: "Dem Liebesanger," which 

 translated would read somewhat like this: 



TO THE EROTIC SINGER: 



If you wish to touch the heart-strings 

 Of all human kind alike 

 You should strike the note of sorrow. 

 Not the melodies of joy. 

 Many a one finds no enjoyment 

 During earth-life, and methinks 

 There is none, who does not carry 

 Buried troubles in his breast. 



-(J.C.B.) 



