The Poor House

Hope went by and Peace went by
And would not enter in;
Youth went by and Health went by
And Love that is their kin.
 
Those within the house shed tears
On their bitter bread;
Some were old and some were mad,
And some were sick a-bed.
 
Gray Death saw the wretched house
And even he passed by—
"They have never lived," he said,
"They can wait to die."

Das arme Haus

Hoffnung ging und Frieden ging
Dort weiter, unerkannt;
Jugend ging, Gesundheit ging
Und Liebe, die verwandt.
 
Die im Haus, sie weinten sehr
Über kargem Mahl;
Waren alt, nicht bei Verstand,
Auch litten manche Qual.
 
Als der graue Tod dies sah,
Selbst er floh dieses Leid -
"Da jene nie gelebt," sprach er,
"Hat's mit dem Tod noch Zeit."
 
 
(18.01.2021)