Das Buch der Deutschen in America: Pages 398 - 402

His moods and his subjects are original and gripping. The themes are great and powerful, mostly drawn from antiquity or with historical settings such as the burning of Rome, Persepolis, Lucretia, Hannibal, Napoleon and Cleopatra. With a clever grasp he chooses just the right moment in the lives of his heros and he clothes his song in glowing verse. It is bearly possible to do justice to the poet in the confines of these few sentences. It seems only advisable to introduce a few of his most prominent poems. Above all, there is the masterful and therefore famous Roman Night. Like all of Brachvogel's poems it is relatively long. Our poet seems to be of Poe's mind, that a poetic work of art must have a length of about a hundred verses in order to work properly. Much can be said for this principle if one can not also admit that here and there the length becomes a bit tiresome, yet the passionate language used by Brachvogel transports us past this. The blond favorite of Nero recites Virgil to him: "Suddenly the voice of the favorite stilled Before the emperor he lowered his head — "Alas, I can recite no more poetry, For the poet's muse has died in me, To truly sing the song that I learned First I must see how Troy burned — —" Nero said as he furrowed his brow, Boy, cease with this nonsense right now." And while Rome went up in flames, the young singer took up his lyre: "Now I can understand Virgil." The poet powerfully knows how to use pyrotechnic effect is his less famous work, Persepolis. Here Ammonide promises the courtesan Thais that before he leaves her he will cast a spell to bring back the red of the evening sky with the burning of the city. "And the earth will scream in terror  but you heart will rejoice." Roses on the Nile is worthy of being ranked among these compositions although here the effect all to often is far fetched. However there are lines in the poem, which fill one with astonishment and wonder worthy of a queen, who "bore Rome twice over in her hair  at a celebration of Anthony." In form, Capua is perhaps the most excellent of Brachvogel's poems and contains a singularly new effect: "The defiant peaks  unsullied by Alpine snow,  orange blossoms hunch over  and cover you now." If Brachvogel's poems seem, as they must, to make great use of imagery, you are not mistaken. They all have a peculiar charm, a stark individuality and perhaps we can do nothing better than conclude with a few lines of a Brachvogel poem titled The Scented Candles, which wonderfully characterizes the grandiose soaring of his poetry: "I see before me as myrtles shimmer  Out of the cave of my fantasy  rises the splendor of antiquity  the echo, like a prayer,  cries from the temple ruin."             G. S. Viereck

To Friends visiting the Garden In the world all I find is warfare and travail but closed off by my garden fence peace and harmony prevail. My flowers never wage war they've never been suppressed they know nothing of weaponry others to oppress. Thus I hold their company dear alone with them I'd remain For they bear the yoke of Christ without causing others pain.             Franz Daniel Pastorius How shall I describe the wonderment inside So much more than love, this burning in my heart. How shall I reveal the love that I feel I am smitten, I can't help it O, pure and chaste bride of heaven! I will tell all of your love as it was entrusted to my soul, for your truth has moved me. I devote everything to you. You have drawn me to yourself and permeated my senses.             Conrad Beissel O torturous love! O sweet plague! Quicken the time! Let the hour come! Delay the day no longer, Contemplate the true communion; Proclaim it for all the world to hear!             Johann Kelpius To Mary (South Carolina, 1849) The sound of your name — life is so troubled, people forget— not divided by quarrel or misunderstanding, or in purposeful avoidance. Oh, they'll put forth a token effort to bring you a lovely bouquet counting on a blessing for each blossom. They see each year how the rift grows 'til one soul no longer joins with another. They well regard the rich casings of love yet let the true essence decay, carelessly letting unravel what should be tightly bound; thus hearts forget how to nourish each other. They can no longer hold off that sorrow, whose forgetting cannot be forgotten.             Franz Lieber

Almost All Alone (January 1877) How often among my circle of friends so many years ago. Time flew amidst heightened emotion, joking response and serious word. There were so many good men closely bonded with me. We all worked towards the same goals. We were united in mind and hand. Where have they all gone? Now they seem distant; once they were so near; As I still travel the earth I ask "am I the only one left?" So long ago that time flew away My soul reflects and questions. Should I continue to struggle on alone, to live, to breathe, to strive? When will my time come I've seen so many leave. I will not falter and lose heart, as I remain almost alone. I'm not complaining, all things must pass — all things decline; Let the wind scatter my ashes. Another will take my place.             Friedrich Münch Set Sail Motto: Turn around and see in the distance Only water and the sky's reflection But look up to the stars There resides the father of nature Surrounded by waves of white-capped foam, jettisoned from our homes by the wind; accompanying us on our way to peace, Amphitrite. The masts reach up to the heavens the keel sits deep with its load; above and below the decks abound with passengers. Those, who witness the fatherland's ills and can tolerate them no longer; those, who would flee the yoke of slavery, move on.             Paul Schmidt

I am a Pennsylvanian I am a Pennsylvanian Of this I am pleased and proud The land is lovely; the people, friendly By gosh, I'll wager There's no finer place in the world. I am of German descent Of this I am justly proud Germans are steadfast people, Thrifty, industrious, the salt of the earth; There are no finer people in this world. Take a peek in any of the fields Of the land we call Pennsylvania. Everything grows large and fine Everyone is healthy and strong. There is no finer land in the world! And it's not just what's above the ground That grows large and fine; Down below there's so much more: Coal, iron, more precious than gold. There's no finer land in the world.             Ludwig August Wollenweber At Niagara (1852) (Under the Rock Ledge) From rocks water trickles one drop at a time In a steady and uniform act; But a cauldron seethes in these eyes of mine The blustering cataract. — High above the rock tower wall A canopy for the head, Pencil to hand, I describe it all As the mist dampens the ledge. What a poet's chair, for feet below the bubbling waterworld lies! Battling the rock ledge with its undertow With a hero's wild, enraged cries. Constant conflict grown forever louder As it makes its path to the sea; Veils of mist like exploded gunpowder Thundering a victor's decree. Alone amid this pummeling frustration I sit on a rocky perch And ponder the battle's duration As well as man's struggle on earth. Niagara's course, man's emancipation An eternal fight for a path; The way to full liberation To wit both strive in their wrath. To the bottom the river crashes, Rock dissolved to shards by the steam. Waves clash and foam splashes Then recede and flow downstream. No limits, no boundries, no stopping, No stone in its way stands a chance. To the ocean so proudly flowing, Victorious in its advance.

No landslide or lake can slow it down Flowing past cities at its silvery strand Skirting 'round mountains and meadows, To the east departing the land. Through rapids and caves, both day and night, Its course majestic and free, Swinging past ships in dancing delight Bringing treasures down to the sea. So too for humanity, in battle and need Victoriously forging its path To an unfettered future in word and deed Forgetting the strife and the wrath. Niagara is thundering in my ear To my heart it imparts inspiration. I write out this poem so that you may hear, Dear warriors, the hope in this dedication!             Caspar Butz Remembering Reality unites with illusion, In the mirror the old appear young, The dead seem to be living, We call this "remembering".             Karl Heinzen Cloudy Days Gray and overcast, fog-filled days Are good and bad for the soul, Suited well to melancholy Caused by love gone cold. If only the wicked sunshine Left depression undisturbed Then mournful eyes could relase Their torrent of hot tears. Oh sun, you bitter, evil thing, burning such blazing light You make fun of my sorrow And the poetry I write.             Friedrich Hassaureck A Wish Let my body be consumed on the funeral pyre Once death takes my breath away. I shudder to think of lying in decay, In the cold earth feeding the worms. Grant the ultimate honor to me See that my spirit is cleaned From haughty and servile nature redeemed As a rain of fire sets me free. When the sun sets each evening, Torches mimic the light Until it returns in the morning. After my death, let torches burn bright, So flames may consume by being And release me for the heavenward flight.             Eduard Dorsch

For the Turners (Gymnasts) Tumble and stretch with all your might Fight to stay in shape. Even while climbing, consider What you have in common with an ape. To a Satirist If you don't have the intellect Don't crack a satirical whip; You can't be a Mephisto If you don't have the wit! To a "Humorist" So many think they're funny With written and spoken words; But every now and then we see, They're only poisonous toads.             Otto Brethauer The Empire's Banner (1870) Welcome, black, red and white banner We follow you with sorrowful pride Into battle as victory's winner! For your bloody laurel crown Onward! To the French throne. Soon it will lie in wreck and ruin Onward now and off to battle! In the end it will be A united Germany, strong and free! What we hoped but dared not say Our foes have joked about anyway! A united Germany lives once more! No Prussian, Baden or Bavarian border From Rhine to North Sea, all one order, All now German Brothers! Onward now and off to battle! In the end it will be A united Germany, strong and free! Whether black, red, white or black, red, gold The German banner is unrolled. Danger may threaten from afar. We'll pay no heed, but call us to fight We'll swing and hack for Germany's right We'll die for the Fatherland! Onward now and off to battle! In the end it will be A united Germany, strong and free!             Friedrich Otto Dresel To My Fatherland I own not one tree from your forests, Not a single blade of rye from your fields. You've driven me out, defenseless. In my youth I didn't understand How to love myself more and you much less, But I love you anyway, my Fatherland! Where is there a heart in which no longer resides The sweet dream of youth's first love, And holier than love was this ifre Which once blazed for you in my heart More fervently than a groom for his bride This you were to me, beloved Fatherland!

Hasn't enough manna rained from the sky? Hasn't heaven bestowed on you enough blessing? I've seen the wonders of the southern zones Since I last stood on your shores But more beautiful than palms and lemons Are the apple trees of my Fatherland! Oh land of my fathers but no longer mine! No holier realm lives than thine. The vision will never depart my soul, I'm still tied to you by a vital band And when death exacts its final toll I'll lie beneath you, my Fatherland! If only those who remain at home Loved you as much as those who must roam Such a vast empire you'd become Your children could link hand in hand Making yours the greatest kingdom The best you could be, O Fatherland!             Conrad Krez Then and Now Once I dreamed of a romantic land Where I was a knight on a steed. I fought with giants and dragons; I sailed the shimmering sea. I saw gnomes living in the forest, Water nymphs singing on the shore, Elves lightly dancing in the moonlight, Alas, these dreams live no more. The page of life has turned for me, Larger than life fantasies are dead. Now, like a German Philistine, I fight for my daily bread. All the goblins have moved away From the bush, the hills and the grotto. They've been replaced by two little boys In the house, the yard and the meadow. So sweetly their mother calls to them; Like elves furiously dashing, They run through the house and jump in the tub, Joyfully kicking and splashing. The magic of the romantic woods Is replaced by the Christmas tree, For when six eyes look up in hope, The heavens smile down upon me.             Edmund Märklin Mutability There's never been an earthly dream Full of hope and happiness, That didn't have within it Some pain and hopelessness. Unless you're willing to close your heart Which carries so much grief, You'll never feel the passion, Which brings redemption and relief.

There has never been a joyful eye Which didn't sometimes hold a tear. There's never been a ray of light, Which wasn't cast on a funeral bier. We see beautiful buds blossom, Wilt and then fade away. We look to the stars, then behold As night succumbs to day. There has never been a noble heart, A spirit of power and worth, Who did not, amid his striving, Bring pain upon the earth. — How often has the laurel crown, Woven for the hero's head, Brought doubt rather than certainty And broken his spirit instead? There never has been on this earth, And there will never be, A time without passion and folly When mankind will be free. All things change, this is true But it seems dreadfully unjust That centuries of words and deeds Are nothing more than dust.             Adolph Wallich Leaving Germany "We were moving down the Rhine. Others sang and said goodbye But I felt great sadness, As tears filled my eye. Others joyously drank the wine, One person played a zither I could feel my heartstrings break And the wine tasted quite bitter."             Adolph Puckner The Wanderer's Fate How often a young man has hoped and planned, To flee from his fathers' home To dream of the singular path he'll roam To seek out the fairytale land. Touring about, perhaps finding fortune too! Was this the dream, which led you away? You forsook your home; if you go back today Will anyone be there to embrace you? I could have settled for less instead of wanting more. I would rather have remained in the fatherland, Immersing my soul in the sweet air of home. But treasure abounded on the foreign shore. I'm forever cut off on a distant strand Homesick and doomed to die all alone.             Julius Dresel

Stand On Your Own Stand on your own! Never leave it to another To carry a burden, which is meant for you. A child places one foot in front of the other When learning to walk, holding onto a stool. But in order to take those first firm strides You must stand erect with your hands at your sides. Stand on your own! In peaceful self reliance Take hold of the rudder, steer your own course. It takes strong arms to counter the currents To reach the safe harbor, to face the storm's force. But if you rely on another to be your guide Then your journey ends badly when you capsize. Stand on your own! Humans are a fickle breed. If they see your happiness, they'll take it away. Even those indebted by your good deed Would abandon you to misfortune today. Most people are full of lies and trickery Having no care for anyone else's destiny. Stand on your own! Take on no one else's chains, Even those forged of finest gold will enslave you. You can save yourself only by using your brains, And although a beggar, you'll be a rich man too. Fate deals many heavy blows but when your time is nigh You'll find you can leave this earth with your head held high.             August Steinlein To Spring - a Rondeau O gentle spring, you bestow your blessing Once again on the fields and pastures. After fiercest winter you hasten to bring The joy of life's renewed raptures. The blustering winds bid their adieu, And gentle breezes beckon anew. As birds twitter their happy tunes And meadows abound with colorful blooms, Aglisten with pearly morning dew. By you alone all life resumes, O, gentle spring.

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