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120 Walser / Hamburger choice of these verses – following on from his setting of Höölderlin’s late verse – also mainly occasional – his SCARDANELLI. (When asked in his asylum years whether he was still writing, Walser replied: ‘I’m here not to write but to be mad’ – a very sane and sensible answer.) 1Aside I take my daily walk; this leads not far or wide and home; then without talk or sound I’m put aside. 2Snow It’s snowing, snowing, covers the earth all round with a heavy mound, so wide, so wide. So sorely it staggers down from the sky, this whirl all away, the snow, the snow. This gives you, oh, an enlargement, a rest, this world by whiteness oppressed makes me weak. So small at first, then great, my yearning turns to hot tears that invade me, burning.
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Walser / Hamburger 3Despondency So very long I have waited for sweet tones and greetings, one happy sound. Now I despond: not a hum, no ringing, only mists drift away, and they abound. What in secret sang from a dark hiding-place, you, sadness, now sweeten my dragging pace. 4As Ever The lamp is still there, the table is also there, and I am in the room; and my longing, I fear, still sighs, as ever. Cowardice, are you still there? And, lie, you too? A dark ‘yes’ I hear: misery is still there, in the room I persevere as ever. 121

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Walser / Hamburger

3Despondency

So very long I have waited for sweet tones and greetings, one happy sound.

Now I despond: not a hum, no ringing, only mists drift away, and they abound.

What in secret sang from a dark hiding-place, you, sadness, now sweeten my dragging pace.

4As Ever

The lamp is still there, the table is also there, and I am in the room; and my longing, I fear, still sighs, as ever.

Cowardice, are you still there? And, lie, you too? A dark ‘yes’ I hear: misery is still there, in the room I persevere as ever.

121

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