Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AT FORTY YEARS, by FRIEDRICH RUCKERT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT FORTY YEARS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When for forty years we've climbed the rugged mountain
Last Line: Sudden, the journey's done!
Alternate Author Name(s): Raimar, Freidmund
Subject(s): Middle Age


WHEN for forty years we've climbed the rugged mountain,
We stop and backward gaze;
Yonder still we see our childhood's peaceful fountain,
And youth exulting strays.

One more glance behind, and then, new strength acquiring,
Staff grasped, no longer stay;
See, a further slope, a long one, still aspiring
Ere downward turns the way!

Take a brave long breath and toward the summit hie thee—
The goal shall draw thee on;
When thou think'st it least, the destined end is nigh thee—
Sudden, the journey's done!





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