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THE ROBITSCHEK CORRESPONDENCE PROJECT |  |
| July 5, 1917 - Mailed from Chotzen to Mrs. Elise Robitschek at Praskoles, Bohemia, in Austria. | |
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The picture has been cut from an illustration printed on card stock. The viewer in the picture stands on a terrace and looks out over a dream-like vision of earth's sunny beauty. Behind the viewer, broods the dark reality of a world that men have made - the subject of the accompanying poem.
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Ich denke nur in Sonnenschöne
Den glückumstrahlten Erdenraum, Der Menschen Worte Herzenstöne Und blätenvoll den Friedensbaum - Wer lacht des Träumers! - Wohl der Todte, Dess' still verhauchter Heldengruss Vor seinem Weg als Klugebote Zum Schuldgefühl uns mahnen muss? - Wer lacht des Träumers? - Wohl der Blinde Der mutgestählte Kampfesheld, der als des Gottes Augenbinde Die Tagesnacht trägt durch die Welt? Wer lacht des Träumers? - Wittwen Wachen, Die Blätter welker Menschlichkeit, Die Grabeslieder, Trauerweisen, Der ganze Jammer schwerer Zeit? |
I think only in sun's beauty
In the earth's domain full of happiness The word of man's heartfelt tunes And the peace tree is full in bloom - Who laughs at the dreamer? - No doubt the dead, Whose quietly whispered hero's greetings Before the path of the wise herald Must he remind us to feel guilt? Who laughs of the dreamer? - No doubt the blind, The courageous fighting hero Who, as God's eyepatch, The days' night carries through the world? Who laughs at the dreamer? - Widows waiting The leaves fading humanity, The songs of the grave, dirges, The entire misery of hard times? |
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Ich kann dem Jahrhundert nicht
viel Gutes nachsagen. Gleich am Beginnen desselben zer- schmetterte ich auf einem Begwege bei derenden Falle meines Sohnes durch ei- nen Fehlsprung mein linkes Bein. Ich schleppte mich jahre- lang mühsam durch Kur- orte und die Welt. Auch diese gieng kein Freudenweg. Thränen, Jammern, Elend, Blut und Tod begleiten jeden Schritte. Mein Sohn kam wieder zum Fall. Allein ich war zu weit, zu alt und zu schwach, um ihm wieder Schutz zu bieten. - Er ist nicht wieder aufgestanden - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
I am unable to say much good
of the new Century. Immediatly at the beginning of it on a mountain road when my son fell I shattered my left leg by missing a leap. I dragged myself for years laboriously through health resorts and the world. They did not walk a joyful road either. Tears, wailing, misery, blood and death accompanies everyone's path. My son fell again. Alone I was too far, too old, too weak, to again offer protection. - He did not rise again. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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Deutches Heim is one of the many German associations active on the eve of WWI. This label celebrates the Prag branch and shows knights of times past fortifying the parapets of a castle. Their weapons are laid to hand; they are clearly preparing to defend themselves. Could this castle lie behind the terrace we look out from on the front of the card?
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THE ROBITSCHEK CORRESPONDENCE PROJECT | |