In childhood we strove to go to school,
Our turn to teach, joyous as a rule
The end of the story is sad and cruel
From dust we came, and gone with winds cool.

Meaning:

Pursuing knowledge in childhood we rise
Until we become masterful and wise
But if we look through the disguise
We see the ties of worldly lies.

Fitzgerald:

Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
About it and about: but evermore
Came out by the same Door as in I went.

German:

Zum Meister ging ich einst- das war die Jugendzeit-
Dann hab ich mich der eigenen Meisterschaft gefreut.
Und wollt ihr wissen, was davon das Ende ist?
Den Staubgeborenen hat wie Staub der Wind zerstreut.