Classic Poem

To Burgomaster Klüpfel, State Deputy of the town of Stuttgart.

The fierce momentous fight was o'er,
From German soil withdrew the foe;
But still the ransomed country bore
Full many a trace of former wo.
And as in cities long o'erthrown
The forms sublime of Gods are found,
So many a right may prove our own,
Long hid beneath some rubbish-mound.

'Tis now the time to save, to build,
Yet progress must imperfect prove,
If king and people be not filled
With concord, mutual trust, and love.
To regal power a due respect
At all times hath the German paid;
Yet loves he still to walk erect
And free, as by his Maker made.

In steadfast league, ye guardians bold
Of freedom's cause, united be;
Ye build upon foundations old
The welfare of posterity.
Unmindful of reward on earth
Still prove industrious, firm, and true,
And to the People's honest worth,
As to the King's, give reverence due.

Then while this festal day we keep,
On which a thousand fires we light,
(Which, where from hills they flare not, deep
In patriot hearts, are glowing bright),
What can adorn or grace so well
The banquet that unites us here,
As that man's praises forth to tell
Who aye has proved a friend sincere;

Who, in this township born and bred,
Hath alway sought its truest weal,
To whom our hearts by love are led,
Who guards our rights with watchful zeal;
Who, when terrific clouds did lower,
Unmoved endured the tempest's strife,
And now, collecting all his power,
To wise reforms devotes his life.

Ye, Fathers of the people, know,
No words for warmest thoughts are found;
No language can, ye senate, shew
How closely ye to us are bound.
When lately in the lofty hall
The people thronged your words to hear,
The silence that pervaded all
Spake more than could the loudest cheer.

Then may such silence please thee well
When at the feast thou meet'st us all;
And if sad musings with thee dwell,
Think on some future festival:
When blessings, from that battle's storm
Resulting, shall be clearly shewn,
And seeds shall take their proper form,
By you, in this the Seed-Month, sown.