08-15-1944, 2nd volume, no. 37, Page 2
08-15-1944, 2nd volume, no. 37, Page 3

cover / introduction

Even If I Mention It Myself …

It was very dangerous.
Hours underwater and still very much alive. knew the trick of his trait

Even today they speak
Of Drebbel‘s daring ventures,
Still I find nowadays
His underwater tricks

Nomore remarkable achievement,
I don’t find it extraordinary,
And I conclude that for some time
I admire myself.

Cornelis Drebbel in his time
Remained hours underwater,
And of Cornelis’ heroic deed
They report centuries later.

But carefully considered,
What friend Cornelis
Has done so daring and mighty,
I do not consider it too much.

For he remained underwater
In those days only for a few hours,
While I have for nearly two years
Succeeded now.

In the end, I said: Of course,
Diving is easier for me,
Drebbel was underwaterproof,
But I am a –
Underwater poet.

Post-Editing: Kurt Gerhard Funke