Item Info

Creation Date: 8/12/1807
Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 274
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Watermark: FS
Transcription:

Wie Selig Ist Der \ Seyn Ergötzen Nur Sucht in der \ Verschwiegenheit, Man Laßt vergifte Mäuler Schwätzen, Wan Miß Gunst \ und der Leidig Neid, durchs Hertz vergalter Laster Sachen, die Treue Dienst unredlich \ machen, Verschwiegenheit ist meine Ruh, ich höre viel und Schweig darzu. 2 Warum muß \ eben jeder wissen, was mich in meinem Hertzen kränckt, Das mich bis weilen verdriessen werdin \ Betrübte Seele denckt, Warum soll ich die Wehmuth zeigen, stracks jedem Mann die Zähne streichen, \ Verschwiegenheit ist meine Ruh, ich höre viel und schweig darzu. 3. Wann schon das Glück auf mich erbit= \ tert, Wann die Verläumdung auf mich Blitzt, wann neid und Falschheit auf mich wüttert, wann Mißgunst auf \ mich sehr erhitzt, verberg ich dannoch solche Sachen, damit die feind nicht meiner Lachen, verschwiegenheit ist \ meine Ruh, es quält mich viel und schweig darzu 4 Man sticht und höhnt mich hie und wieder und \ stellet sich als freundlich an, man drückte mich gern gäntzlich nieder, verkleinert mich bey jederman, doch ken? \ ich schon die Schmeycheleyen, und Hoff davon mich zu befreyen, verschwiegenheit ist meine Ruh ich höre viel \ und schweig darzu. 5. Darf ich gleich jetz und niemand trauen, weil alles voll verräther rennt, die mir \ [continued in lower left corner] Nach Meinem Unglück \ schauen, Wohl dem der seinen \ neid erkennt, und ohne sonder \ bahres klagen, Die Boßheit \ mit Gedult kan tragen, ver \ schwiegenheit ist meine Ruh ich \ höre viel und schweig darzu [continued on reverse]
 

Translation:

[1] How blessed is he who seeks his pleasure only in reticence, who lets poisoned mouths chatter, when jealousy and tiresome envy through vices in the heart make true service insincere. Reticence is my rest; I hear much and remain quiet about it.
2. Why does everybody have to know what hurts me in my heart, that lets me despair at times, what me sad soul thinks? Why should I show the melancholy, for it to pass immediately through each man’s teeth? Reticence is my rest; I hear much and remain quiet about it.
3. When my fortune should become bitter, when deformation strikes at me, when envy and falsehood come down hard at me, when jealousy of me is heating up, I nevertheless hide such things so that the enemies do not laugh at me. Reticence is my rest; I hear much and remain quiet about it.
4. The prick and deride me now and again and pretend to be friendly; they would gladly push me down completely, belittle me before everybody, but I already know the flatteries and hope to free myself of them. Reticence is my rest; I hear much and remain quiet about it.
5. Though I may now trust no one because everywhere are running around betrayers who are [continued in lower left corner] looking for my misfortune. Well for him who recognizes his envy and without special complain can endure the evil with patience. Reticence is my rest; I hear much and remain quiet about it. [continued on reverse]
 

Category: Religious Text
Media Type: Manuscripts
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. The text, with the first two lines in prominent Fraktur and the remainder in German script, extends across the entire document. The initial letters of the first four words are written in particularly prominent and decorated calligraphy. The entire document is enclosed by a decorative border. For the reverse of this item, see FLP 336v. Susanna Hübner was an unmarried Schwenkfelder woman who lived her entire life in Worcester Township, where she made numerous fraktur for her nieces and nephews.

Associated Names: Hübner, Susanna
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

“Susanna Hübner” in Russell D. and Corinne P. Earnest, Papers for Birth Dayes: Guide to the Fraktur Artists and Scriveners (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1997), 2^nd ed., vol. 1, pp. 418-419.

Dennis K. Moyer, Fraktur Writings and Folk Art Drawings of the Schwenkfelder Library Collection (Kutztown, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1997), pp. 74-96.

Irene N. Walsh, “The Frakturs of Susanna Heebner,” The Magazine Antiques 149, no. 2 (February 1996): 274-283; published as plate 5.

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on design characteristics and artist’s location
Region/County:[Montgomery]
City/Town/Township:[Worcester]
State/Province:[Pennsylvania]

Image Dimensions Width: 20.2 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 336
Creator Name: Susanna Hübner (1750-1818) - Decorator
Susanna Hübner (1750-1818) - Scrivener