You wrote in hunger and in misery
masterpieces – a fairy mystery!
As the sun in the sky they send their beam,
With brilliance greater than the stars at the sea.
More pure are they than the river Alpine;
In brightness excelling the rainbow divine.
That accord of angelical sounds,
As the world has this found,
Points the way for the art of humanity
And even in times of dreadful calamity
Through its beautiful flows,
Elevates our souls! ...