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WEDDING SONG. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Goethe’s Works, vol. 1 (Poems) [1885]

Edition used:

Goethe’s Works, illustrated by the best German artists, 5 vols. (Philadelphia: G. Barrie, 1885). Vol. 1.

Part of: Goethe’s Works, 5 vols.

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WEDDING SONG.

    • THE tale of the Count our glad song shall record
    • Who had in this castle his dwelling,
    • Where now ye are feasting the new-married lord,
    • His grandson of whom we are telling.
    • The Count as Crusader had blazon’d his fame,
    • Through many a triumph exalted his name,
    • And when on his steed to his dwelling he came,
    • His castle still rear’d its proud head,
    • But servants and wealth had all fled.
    • ’Tis true that thou, Count, hast return’d to thy home,
    • But matters are faring there ill.
    • The winds through the chambers at liberty roam,
    • And blow through the windows at will.
    • What’s best to be done in a cold autumn night?
    • Full many I’ve pass’d in more piteous plight;
    • The morn ever settles the matter aright.
    • Then quick, while the moon shines so clear,
    • To bed on the straw, without fear.
    • And whilst in a soft pleasing slumber he lay,
    • A motion he feels ’neath his bed.
    • The rat, an he likes it, may rattle away!
    • Ay, had he but crumbs there outspread!
    • But lo! there appears a diminutive wight,
    • A dwarf ’tis, yet graceful, and bearing a light,
    • With orator-gestures that notice invite,
    • At the feet of the Count on the floor
    • Who sleeps not, though weary full sore.
    • “We’ve long been accustom’d to hold here our feast,
    • Since thou from thy castle first went;
    • And as we believ’d thou wert far in the East,
    • To revel e’en now we were bent.
    • And if thou’lt allow it, and seek not to chide,
    • We dwarfs will all banquet with pleasure and pride,
    • To honor the wealthy, the beautiful bride”—
    • Says the Count with a smile, half-asleep:—
    • “Ye’re welcome your quarters to keep!”
    • Three knights then advance, riding all in a group,
    • Who under the bed were conceal’d;
    • And then is a singing and noise-making troop
    • Of strange little figures reveal’d;
    • And wagon on wagon with all kinds of things—
    • The clatter they cause through the ear loudly rings—
    • The like ne’er was seen save in castles of kings;
    • At length, in a chariot of gold,
    • The bride and the guests too, behold!
    • Then all at full gallop make haste to advance,
    • Each chooses his place in the hall;
    • With whirling and waltzing, and light joyous dance,
    • They begin with their sweethearts the ball.
    • The fife and the fiddle all merrily sound,
    • They twine, and they glide, and with nimbleness bound,
    • They whisper, and chatter, and clatter around;
    • The Count on the scene casts his eye,
    • And seems in a fever to lie.
    • They hustle, and bustle, and rattle away
    • On table, on bench, and on stool;
    • Then all who had join’d in the festival gay
    • With their partners attempt to grow cool.
    • The hams and the sausages nimbly they bear,
    • And meat, fish and poultry in plenty are there,
    • Surrounded with wine of the vintage most rare;
    • And when they have revell’d full long,
    • They vanish at last with a song.
    • * * * * * *
    • And if we’re to sing all that further occurr’d,
    • Pray cease ye to bluster and prate;
    • For what he so gladly in small saw and heard,
    • He enjoy’d and he practis’d in great.
    • For trumpets, and singing, and shouts without end
    • On the bridal-train, chariots and horsemen attend,
    • They come and appear, and they bow and they bend,
    • In merry and countless array.
    • Thus was it, thus is it to-day.