II
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, Clarke, Harry, and Taylor, Bayard
BEFORE THE CITY-GATE
(Pedestrians of all kinds come forth.)
SEVERAL APPRENTICES
Why do you go that way?
OTHERS
We’re for the Hunters’ lodge, to-day.
THE FIRST
We’ll saunter to the Mill, in yonder hollow.
AN APPRENTICE
Go to the River Tavern, I should say.
SECOND APPRENTICE
But then, it’s not a pleasant way.
THE OTHERS
And what will you?
A THIRD
As goes the crowd, I follow.
A FOURTH
Come up to Burgdorf? There you’ll find good cheer, The finest lasses and the best of beer, And jolly rows and squabbles, trust me!
A FIFTH
You swaggering fellow, is your hide A third time itching to be tried? I won’t go there, your jolly rows disgust me!
SERVANT-GIRL
No,—no! I’ll turn and go to town again.
ANOTHER
We’ll surely find him by those poplars yonder.
THE FIRST
That’s no great luck for me, ’tis plain. You’ll have him, when and where you wander: His partner in the dance you’ll be,— But what is all your fun to me?
THE OTHER
He’s surely not alone to-day: He’ll be with Curly-head, I heard him say.
A STUDENT
Deuce! how they step, the buxom wenches! Come, Brother! we must see them to the benches. A strong, old beer, a pipe that stings and bites, A girl in Sunday clothes,—these three are my delights.
CITIZEN’S DAUGHTER
Just see those handsome fellows, there! It’s really shameful, I declare;— To follow servant-girls, when they Might have the most genteel society to-day!
SECOND STUDENT (to the First)
Not quite so fast! Two others come behind,— Those, dressed so prettily and neatly. My neighbor’s one of them, I find, A girl that takes my heart, completely. They go their way with looks demure, But they’ll accept us, after all, I’m sure.
THE FIRST
No, Brother! not for me their formal ways. Quick! lest our game escape us in the press: The hand that wields the broom on Saturdays Will best, on Sundays, fondle and caress.
CITIZEN
He suits me not at all, our new-made Burgomaster! Since he’s installed, his arrogance grows faster. How has he helped the town, I say? Things worsen,—what improvement names he? Obedience, more than ever, claims he, And more than ever we must pay!
BEGGAR (sings)
Good gentlemen and lovely ladies, So red of cheek and fine of dress, Behold, how needful here your aid is, And see and lighten my distress! Let me not vainly sing my ditty; He’s only glad who gives away: A holiday, that shows your pity, Shall be for me a harvest-day!