Minneopa in 1924

At some point, likely in the early 1920s, the brook at Minneopa ran dry. Ernst Mueller wrote a small sequel to the original “Minneopa,” although it was never published in the Sängerbote or elsewhere. His daughter Adelheid transcribed the sequel, written by Opa in beautiful German script, and attempted a translation. View manuscript

Minneopa in 1924
 
Einst floßt ein Bächlein durch das Land
Verborgen ganz und unbekannt.
Es stürzte sich vom Fels den Hohn
Ins tiefe Tal mit Donnerton.
Viel Jahre rauscht durch Tales fort
Zum Dichten war’s rechte Ort
Und mancher jünger Pegasus
Am Bächlein spürt der Musen Kuß
Kühr drang auch ich mich einst hinzu
Genoß der Minneopa Ruh
Besang den Bach zu jener Stund.
Hätt doch geschweigen still mein Mund
Dem Bach zum Fluch dem siehe da
Versiegt ist Quell und Wasser rohr
Wer heute zu den Bächlein fährt
In dem nur Groll und Arger gährt
Denn trochner noch als jetzt der Bach
Kein Dichter wohl zu dichten mag
Drum rat ich dir spar den Besuch
Dort staret in Dürr – des Sängers Fluch.

Minneopa in 1924
 
Once a brook flowed through the land
Completely hidden and unknown.
It tumbled from the jaws of rock
Into the deep valley with the sound of thunder.
It roared through the valley many years.
For the poet, it was a fitting place
And many a younger Pegasus
Experienced the kiss of the muse at that brook.
I boldly brought myself there once
And enjoyed Minneopa’s rest.
I sang its praises in that hour.
Would that my mouth had kept quiet.
The brook was cursed; just look there:
The spring is dry and water is rare.
Whoever drives to the brook today
Will only find frustration and anger
For the brook is still dry.
No poet would wax poetic about dryness.
So my advice: Spare yourself the visit.
There, in the drought, stares the bane of poets.

Notes

Pegasus, the winged horse of the Muses, is considered to be a symbol of soaring creativity.