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FAITHFUL ECKART. - 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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FAITHFUL ECKART.

    • “OH, would we were further! Oh, would we were home,
    • The phantoms of night tow’rd us hastily come,
    • The band of the Sorceress sisters.
    • They hitherward speed, and on finding us here,
    • They’ll drink, though with toil we have fetch’d it, the beer,
    • And leave us the pitchers all empty.”
    • Thus speaking, the children with fear take to flight,
    • When sudden an old man appears in their sight:
    • “Be quiet, child! children, be quiet!
    • From hunting they come, and their thirst they would still,
    • So leave them to swallow as much as they will,
    • And the Evil Ones then will be gracious.”
    • As said, so ’twas done! and the phantoms draw near,
    • And shadowlike seem they, and gray they appear,
    • Yet blithely they sip and they revel:
    • The beer has all vanish’d, the pitchers are void;
    • With cries and with shouts the wild hunters, o’erjoy’d,
    • Speed onward o’er vale and o’er mountain.
    • The children in terror fly nimbly tow’rd home,
    • And with them the kind one is careful to come:
    • “My darlings, oh, be not so mournful!”—
    • “They’ll blame us and beat us, until we are dead.”—
    • “No, no! ye will find that all goes well,” he said;
    • “Be silent as mice, then, and listen!
    • “And he by whose counsels thus wisely ye’re taught,
    • Is he who with children loves ever to sport,
    • The trusty and faithful old Eckart.
    • Ye have heard of the wonder for many a day,
    • But ne’er had a proof of the marvellous lay,—
    • Your hands hold a proof most convincing.”
    • They arrive at their home, and their pitchers they place
    • By the side of their parents, with fear on their face,
    • Awaiting a beating and scolding.
    • But see what they’re tasting: the choicest of beer!
    • Though three times and four times they quaff the good cheer,
    • The pitchers remain still unemptied.
    • The marvel it lasts till the dawning of day;
    • All people who hear of it doubtless will say:
    • “What happen’d at length to the pitchers?”
    • In secret the children they smile, as they wait;
    • At last, though, they stammer, and stutter, and prate,
    • And straightway the pitchers were empty.
    • And if, children, with kindness address’d ye may be,
    • Whether father, or master, or alderman he,
    • Obey him, and follow his bidding!
    • And if ’tis unpleasant to bridle the tongue,
    • Yet talking is bad, silence good for the young—
    • And then will the beer fill your pitchers!
lf0841-01_figure_049

artist: c. gehrts.

FAITHFUL ECKART.