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THE WRANGLER. - 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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THE WRANGLER.

    • ONE day a shameless and impudent wight
    • Went into a shop full of steel wares bright,
    • Arrang’d with art upon ev’ry shelf.
    • He fancied they all were meant for himself;
    • And so, while the patient owner stood by,
    • The shining goods needs must handle and try,
    • And valued,—for how should a fool better know?—
    • The bad things high, and the good ones low,
    • And all with an easy self-satisfied face;
    • Then, having bought nothing, he left the place.
    • The tradesman now felt sorely vex’d,
    • So when the fellow went there next,
    • A lock of steel made quite red hot.
    • The other cried upon the spot:
    • “Such wares as these, who’d ever buy?
    • The steel is tarnish’d shamefully;”—
    • Then pull’d it like a fool about,
    • But soon set up a piteous shout,
    • “Pray, what’s the matter?” the shopman spoke;
    • The other scream’d: “Faith, a very cool joke!”