Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO ADOLF WILBRANDT ON HIS SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY, by LUDWIG FULDA


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO ADOLF WILBRANDT ON HIS SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Set, oh master of palmyra
Last Line: You who ne'er have sought for praise.
Subject(s): Wilbrandt, Adolf Von (1837-1911)


SET, oh Master of Palmyra,—
You whose strength is ever young,—
On your never-weary lyre a
Laurel crown today be hung.
Life for you is one with doing,
One with battle and with song;
In the front you'd still be hewing,
Though your day were centuries long.

Rest you never yet have captured,
Since with inner glory bright
Your great eyes beheld, enraptured,
Earth, and loved her at first sight.
Daily with unsated pleasure
You would quaff and quaff again,
That no drop of all her treasure
Might have flowed for you in vain.

Joy for you takes form, and sadness
Even to a song is made;
You, with high creative gladness,
Need no Care-Releaser's aid.
Calm you smile, when youths around you
Moan their mortal destiny;
Nature ever yet has found you
Reconciled to her decree.

Well you know a man must think not
That his tenure is for aye,
But must play his part and shrink not
As he nears the settling-day.
Though the restless hours be flying,
He by action frames his fate,
And on deathless deeds relying
Makes each passing moment great.

Constant to yourself as ever
Go with us yet many a year;
You to rouse our best endeavor,
We to drink your words of cheer.
If no festal jubilation
Visits you with din and blaze,
Take instead your friends' oblation,
You who ne'er have sought for praise.






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