Here you will find the Poem Ah! Where Are Hours Departed Fled? (excerpt) of poet Walther von der Vogelweide
Ah! where are hours departed fled? Is life a dream, or true indeed? Did all my heart hath fashioned From fancy's visitings proceed? Yes! I have slept; and now unknown To me the things best known before: The land, the people, once mine own, Where are they? -- they are here no more: My boyhood's friends, all aged, worn, Despoil'd the woods, the fields, of home, Only the stream flows on forlorn; (Alas! that e'er such change should come!) And he knew me once so well Salutes me now as one estranged: The very earth to me can tell Of nought but things perverted, changed: And when I muse on other days, That pass'd me as the dashing oars The surface of the ocean raise, Ceaseless my heart its fate deplores; &c.
