Old leaves of the Talmud, old stories and legends! In my saddened life I
frequently turn to you.
At night, when in the darkness sleep evades my eyes, and I sit alone and
deserted, my head bowed to my breast,
In those sad hours, like a star in the azure summer night, there begin
to shine memories in my sadness.
I recall my love, my sweet years of childhood, when I was still free
from sorrow, pain and anger;
I recall those times when I quaffed the first, sweet, the best chalice
of life, freedom, joy and merriness.
I recall the old, the sweet, delightful years, and the leaves of the
Talmud arise in my memory.
Oh, the old, old leaves! As many lights and as many stars there burn and
shine, they can never be extinguished.
Tausend Stromen, tausend Teichen
Hāben see gethun verfliessen,
Samd hāt sich auf see geschotten,
Sturems hāben see gerissen,
Un' die alte, alte Blätter
Leben noch ... see senen take
Gell, verchōschecht, ābgerissen,
Dort a Loch un' dā a Make;
Dā a Stückel ābgesmalet,
Dort a Schure täug' auf Zores,
Un' in Ganzen hāt a Ponim
Vun an alten Bess-hakwores ...
Meele wās? Nu, is' dās take
A Bessalmen, wu begrāben
Liegt in Keewer All's, wās ēbig
Wöllen mir schon mehr nit hāben....
Un' ich, alter, kranker Jossem,
Vull mit Lēid, mit Eemas-mowes,
Stēh', mein grauen Kopp gebōgen,
Stēh' un' wēin' auf Keewer-owes....
S. FRUG.