THE ONFESSION PS 3501 nog •i 4 ■ADOLPftE'DANZIGBL- Glass _£L3£°Z CopyrtglrtN COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. r After the Confession And other Verses by iiC-:. ADOLPHE DANZIGER Author of something else. NEW YORK : ADOLPHE DANZIGER, 49, Wall Street. LIBRARY ot GoHgH £ei| 1*0 BODIES (teC6»v<}* jul 28 laoa _jBowm'mi«h £.0113 CLASS^A AAfc Mo, I COPY ^« Copyright 1908, by Adolfihe Danziger. JUST A WORD. Several years ago I had gathered a large number of verses which were about to be published when I was suddenly deprived of that pleasure by a person who borrowed the manuscript and never returned it. Upon inquiry I was told that the manuscript had been stolen. Having no other copy, and not willing to set a detective on the track of the thief, although, I confess, I should have liked to make his acquaintance, the public was per- chance spared an affliction. Incidentally, I may say that a paternal government might subsidise a thief of that sort for the purpose of having the works of putative poets opportunely stolen. However, I sincerely regret the loss of my manuscrip because it contained mar?) poems to my mother, and these I have been unable to re-write from memory ; but I shall know them, and so will a great many who read some of them as they appeared in the Press. With this note of warning my purpose is fully served. ADOLPHE DANZIGER. CONTENTS PAGE Just a Word 3 After the Confession .... 7 Just a Flower 10 Could I but Tell 11 Bonne Nuit— Good- Night 12 The Song of Songs - - - - - 13 Is it Love? 15 Ask Me Not 16 The Long Kiss 17 Gypsy Love - 17 When Thou Wert Wholly Mine 18 As of Yore 19 To a Eose 20 The Flower's Sorrow 21 Love's Lullaby 22 The Words from Thy Lips 24 Leave Me Not 25 Cupid Comes Stealing ----- 26 The King's Lament 27 The Castle on the Lee .... 30 To the Strong 34 Twilight 35 The Lily and the Rose ... 36 Courage is King ------ 38 To My Lady 38 Inconstancy 39 Eest 39 Die Woerter Deiner Lippen 40 Lass mich nicht ------ 41 Blumen Liebe ------ 42 Frage nicht ------- 43 Wein und Weiber ----- 44 Guter Eat 45 Das Meerweib 47 AFTER THE CONFESSION. I oft forget religious feasts In culling love's sweet roses. Alike to me are Church and Creed Of Christ or that of Moses. For both proclaim that thou shalt love Thy neighbour with affection, And I, in sooth, have never failed To give him my protection. To love a neighbour as thyself, Is sweet, and well and human, But one can more intensely love A neighbour who's a Woman. Not long ago my neighbour was A maid of Jewish fashion, Who taught me the Mosaic laws With oriental passion. She's married now, her husband is A portly Jewish brother, But neighbour love, that gentle law, I practise with another. For now my neighbour is a maid The Church of Rome professes, Her eyes are like the ocean's depth, Like amber are her tresses. 7 After the Confession I love Marie and love her faith, Which was for comfort given, For one may sin and tell the Priest And soon be wholly shriven. But people do not always tell Of all the sins committed, A tiny sinlet here and there Is now and then omitted. It was not always thus, in Rome The penitents did spinning, To-day one gives the Church her pence And gladly goes on sinning. But cease this thought, my neighbour fair. On whom my love now centers, Anon, like incarnated rhythm, My lonely chamber enters. What bodes this look, to her I say, This highly wrought expression. This is, she answers, Easter week, And I have made confession. Didst tell the Priest, I cry, how oft My breast thy bosom crushes Until thine alabaster neck Is dyed with crimson blushes. And Other Verses. Didst tell — " Now, hush," she calmly says, 11 To practise virtue better, I've told the Priest of ev'ry sin, Aye, to the very letter. "I am a better Christian now, No sin my soul distresses, 'Tis sweet, my dear, to be absolved When one but full confesses." 'Tis truth, delightedly I cry, The mind is dull that misses To note the change — I know, Marie, I feel it in — thy kisses. For only one as pure as thou Can laugh such saintly laughter, Marie, my dear, confess again, Thy love is sweeter after. After the Confession JUST A FLOWER. A flow'r in a garden grew, Of dulcet scent and fairest hue; This gentle flow'r was for an hour The sweetest flow'r I ever knew. That little flower trusted me, And loved me very tenderly; It wept and blushed as it was crushed, Yet spake no angry word to me. In sooth, it was a merry start — I gaily played the lover's part; Then came a day I would away — Another flow'r had won my heart. The pretty flow'r hung its head When I farewell so lightly said ; It ne'er replied, nor even cried— Alas ! the little flow'r was dead 1 Set to music by Mr. Robert Coverley. And Other Verses. n COULD I BUT TELL . Could I but tell what moves my soul When I thy gracious smile behold, Could I but hope to reach the goal Where scenes of bliss their charms unfold. Could I but dwell with thee, my love, In sylvan silence far away, Where none but chanting birds above Attune to rapture love's sweet lay. Could I but have my heart's desire, I'd prouder than a monarch be; For love endows with heavenly fire, And makes all mankind proud and free. 12 After the Confession "BONNE NUIT." (Good Night.) ® @> @> That night, dear heart, when first we met, I never can forget, Marie; When from thy lips in accents sweet, I heard thy gracious " bonne nuit." Mine ears have heard so oft since then Its rare, bewitching melody, That ev'ry zephyr breathes to me A tender, thrilling ■' bonne nuit." That night of thee, my love, I dreamed, Our hearts were twain in Paradise; I heard again that " bonne nuit," Again I saw thy laughing eyes. How oft my soul hath sought the spell Thy grace and voice bestow, Marie; Oh, let me see thee once again, That I may hear sweet " bonne nuit." Set to music by Mr. Robert Coverley. And Other Verses. 13 THE SONG OF SONGS. (Das Hohe Lied.) By Heinrich Heine. Translated in the same metrical form. A woman is a poem grand That God, by genius smitten, With graceful touch and master hand, In Nature's book has written. He chose the moment well enough To form his inspiration, And made of that rebellious stuff An excellent creation. In sooth, a woman's body far Surpasses all romances, Her limbs, so white and plastic, are The most poetic stanzas. How well the gracious Poet wrought The neck — he curved so finely — And on it poised the central thought — The curly head, divinely. The billowed breasts, with rosebuds done, Are epigrams in measure; The metric space between each one Affords enchanting pleasure. 2 14 After the Confession The Poet's plastic art reveals Each hip, which full of grace is; The mystic Ode the leaf conceals, A noble Law embraces. No fanciful conception this, But flesh and blood that hisses With passion, speech, and lips that kiss In rhymed and metric kisses. Here rings the truest poetry With grace in each inflection, And on its face indelibly Is stamped divine perfection. I praise Thee, Lord, as praise I must, And all the world shall know it, Compared with Thee we're bungling dust, O, matchless, heavenly Poet. I ponder deeply ev'ry way Thy work of plastic beauty, And tireless am by night and day In this divinest duty. And sweet it is to revel in Thy work with soul and body, Though, Lord, I'm growing pale and thin From overzealous study. And Other Verses, 15 IS IT LOVE? Why are thine eyes cast down, sweet maid, Why are thy cheeks so rosy red ? Why are thy hands on bosom laid, Why bowest thou thy gentle head ? Is it love ? O, maiden speak I Is it love, the love I seek ? Why doth my heart in raptures beat What thou art nigh, when thou art nigh ? Why do I tremble when we meet? I fain would speak, yet can but sigh I Is it love ? O, maiden speak I Is it love, the love I seek? Adoring, at thy feet I kneel, And ask no more if love it be; The sweet, exquisite pain I feel Has solved the sacred mystery. Love, sweet love, my heart doth speak ; 'Tis the love, the love I seek ! Set to music by Mr. Robert Coverley. 1 6 After the Confession ASK ME NOT. Ask me not why thus I love you, Why my heart so pines for you; Ask the roses why they wither Without sunshine, without dew. See that e'en the poorest sunflow'r, Knowing where to find her bliss, Turns her face bedecked with dew- drops To the sunlight for a kiss. Dear, I know but that I love you More than roses love the dewj More than sunflow'rs long for day- light, Do I, dearest, long for you. Set to music by Mr. Robert Coverley. And Other Verses. 17 THE LONG KISS, OR LOVE'S MILLENNIUM. (To Georgina.) ® # ®> Had I a thousand years to live And one in which to call you mine, I'd gladly choose the one and give Away nine hundred ninety-nine. That year I'd use to drink in sips Nine hundred ninety-nine of bliss. And, hanging on your honeyed lips, I'd kiss a year one single kiss. GYPSY LOVE. Sg> 9 @> Would'st win my love, then kiss to blood my lips, Tear shred by shred my garb, with mad impress A bear like, rend and claw my quiv'ring flesh, Destroy my last defense to thy caress. When crushed I lie beneath thy grasp and spent, My love is won, I then obey thy nod And, crawling at thy feet, thou master man, I worship thee, my conqueror, my god. 1 8 After the Confession WHEN THOU WERT WHOLLY MINE. Some day, when twilight shadows fall On paths that love with light endow 'rs, Thou wilt with longing heart recall The thrilling bliss of those sweet hours When thou wert wholly mine Dear love, and I was thine. And then, beloved, thou wilt fret, And call the blissful past in vain ; But sighs and tears and sad regret Can never, never bring again The days when thou wert mine, Dear love, and I was thine. Then strain me to thy heaving breast, And let me press my lips to thine ! Oh, let us guard each moment lest We should recall with grief ferine, The days when thou wert mine, Dear love, and I was thine. [^ « ® $ £ $ $ And Other Verses. 19 AS OF YORE. I dream as lilies dream and sigh, Upon the moon illumined plain ; I sing as swans that sing and die, And think my song will still the pain. I pray that light again might shine Upon the scene of former bliss, When, pillowed on thy breast divine, I drank the nectar of thy kiss. My love, my love, my Heart's desire, I long for thee, for none but thee ! O, come and tune the golden lyre To love's delightful harmony; And heart to heart and eyes to eyes, We'll live in rapture as of yore; The world shall be our Paradise, And naught shall part us evermore ! Set to music by Mr. Robert Coverley. 20 After the Confession TO A ROSE. I love thee in thy red array, Thy fragrant heart with gems bedight ; I love thee as the light of day, I love thee as the starlit night. I knew thee in a better life, Where death was not nor was decay, And peace, unmarred by human strife, Sublimely made the perfect day. Until the mystic Voice divine Ordained my soul to mortal's doom, And thee, O, sister soul of mine, A hued and fragrant rose to bloom. I found thee in thy red array, Thy fragrant heart with gems bedight, I love thee as the light of day, I love thee as the starlit night. And Other Verses. 21 THE FLOWER'S SORROW. A flow'r complained to me one day, When still the dew upon her lay; Her sigh told more than she confessed, And pity 'rose within my breast. Alas ! the pretty little flow'rs Too often know their sadder hours; The scent that they to us impart Is grieving from a broken heart. At morning, when the sun is bright, The Flowers' sorrow comes to light; Deceived, they from their dreams arise, And teardrops sparkle in their eyes. Shame lends the rose a ruddy grace, But passion pales the lily's face. Alas, poor flow'rs, they love in gloom, And weep at morn — yet still they bloom ! $ $ Set to music by Mr. Robert Coverley. 22 After the Confession LOVE'S LULLABY, Hush, my love, the night is falling, Twilight gleameth in the west, And the nightingale is calling His beloved to the nest. Blow-wee, blow-wee I made a bed of fragrant rose, love, And pillow soft for two, love, A dulcet nest for true love, Where thou and I shall find repose, love, Blow-wee, blow- wee. See, my love, the stars are beaming Passion-fire in ev'ry ray, And each star is fondly dreaming Of a star love far away. Blow-wee, blow-wee Ring out, sing out, the day is done, love, The nest is made for two, love, A paradise for true love Where thou and I shall be as one, love, Blow-wee, blow- wee. And Other Verses. 23 Hush, my love, and cease repining, Lay thy head on to my breast; And thy heart to peace inclining, Shall be lulled to gentle rest. Blow-wee, blow-wee. Then kiss and whisper low, good- night, love, Our cozy nest for two, love, Shall be a nest for true love, For ever light and ever bright, love. Blow-wee, blow- wee. 24 After the Confession THE WORDS FROM THY LIPS. The sweet words thy fair lips have spoken Have robbed me of peace and of sleep ; Their music proclaims them a token — How rare is thy love and how deep ! And over those dear words I ponder, I ponder by day and by night; In darkness no more can I wander, Yet dare not appear in the light. I will not that freedom shall find me, If by it from thee I must part; Be gracious, beloved, and bind me With fetters of love to thy heart ! Set to music by Mr. Robert Coverley. And Other Verses. 25 LEAVE ME NOT. Leave me not to grief and pining. For I need thy sweet caress As a rose the sunlight's shining, And the dewdrops tenderness. Wilt thou break the word once spoken, When thy heart was love arrayed; Shall life's dearest, sweetest token, Like a flower be decayed. Leave me not to pain and sorrow At the door of life's delight; Loneliness no joy can borrow From a hopeless, gloomy night. Leave me not; 'tis all I'm pleading, Thinking only this one thought ; Crying, while my heart is bleeding, Leave me not, oh, leave me not ! © @> 26 After the Confession CUPID COMES STEALING. Cupid comes stealing, A thief in the night, Silently kneeling With bow-string in right. Treading quite lightly, Love passes the heart; Cupid draws tightly And speedeth his dart. Mortally wounded, Love weepeth with pain ; Cupid, unbounded, But laughs at the slain. Cupid comes stealing, A thief in the night; Deftly concealing His arrows from sight. He mocketh love's play Till the rise of the sun, And flieth away When the mischief is done. And Other Verses, 27 THE KING'S LAMENT, Alive, no, no, I'm dead, My tortured soul is fled; My body chilled and sore, Will feel her touch no more In love as oft before. What vile and traitor hand, By jealousy unmanned, Destroyed my gentle queen, So regal in her mien, So saintly and serene. Or was it by a nod, Of a capricious god, My gladness to disperse, A demon so perverse Was sent, then him I curse. I curse, I curse the pow'r That gave me for an hour The most exquisite joy And then, as were't a toy, With malice to destroy. 28 After the Confession Of thousands that have sold Their bodies vile for gold, The vast and endless train, Of those that live in pain And hope they would be slain. Of misery's broad field That human thistles yield. And life with evil dow'r, He vented not his pow'r, But crushed my gentle flow'r. Is madness this, or spite, In horror to delight? Oh, ne'er will I believe The reaper cuts the sheave The tender plants to grieve. The reaper cuts to feed A lower kind of breed, And where he cuts he sows; He harrows, but he knows The soil much richer grows. The plants thus cut away, Give seed another day; But human hearts that die, With agonizing cry, For ever buried lie. And Other Verses. 29 What happiness if one Could die when love is done, And break life's iron band, Or, with a sweep of hand, Our pain to cease command. But no, our mem'ries live, And thousand tortures give; Unquenched remains desire In hearts with grief on fire, Until our souls expire. We're proud and potent kings When love's sweet summons rings; The golden crowns we wear, Bode not a single care, Until there comes despair. We rule with gentle hand This dream and flower land; When love's sweet rose is blown, We're kings, when love is flown, We're kings without a Ihrone. 9 30 After the Confession THE CASTLE ON THE LEE. (A Parable.) A man there was and rich was he, As rich a man as man could be. He ruled all men as like a god, And each obeyed his slightest nod, And like a god he wished to dwell Above the lot whose life is hell. By fancy lured, he raised his head, And to his own proud self he said : I am a multimillionaire, I'll build a castle in the air, A mighty fort upon a lee, Above the forest, hill and sea. I'll soar as mighty eagles, clear Above the earth, and laugh at fear That grips the human worms below As thunders roll and tempests blow. / shall defy the crash and shock Within my house of granite rock. The backs of thousand slaves were bent 'Neath heavy loads, and rocks were rent And Other Verses. 31 And marble cut to perfect art To lend a grace to ev'ry part. Until there stood quite firm and fair The castle of the millionaire. A turret room, octagonal, Rose high above the lordly hall. The windows were of gems whose sheen Did magnify the outer scene, And aurophones were set around To carry inward ev'ry sound. Thus passed in panoramic view The son of toil, at work with thew, To force the patient mother field The food for man and beast to yield. He heard the shepherd's call, the barks Of docile dogs and songs of larks. He saw the hills with bristling trees, And heard the brooklet as it flees In throes of fear from clefts of gloom, He saw the toilers at the loom, Bereft of hope, bereft of joy, A rag of life — the Reaper's toy. 32 After the Confession He heard the groans, he heard the sobs, He saw the ragged, hungry mobs, He heard their cry for work and bread, He saw the slaughter and the dead — He heard it all and saw it all From yonder lofty turret hall. And thrice he laughed in boundless mirth. What bliss, he said, to see the earth From this secure and lofty height. Behold, it whets my appetite To see again the earthly pest, I'll doubly then enjoy my rest. And as the moments came and went, He felt exceedingly content. And, gazing at the sky, he saw What seemed a speck, a little flaw, The matchless, perfect blue contained, That soon, like forces held enchained And loosened, leapt, grew black and low'r'd With boding wrath, then rolled and roared. The ocean heaved, convulsed with pain, His foamy head again, again, And Other Verses. 33 Was crashed against the rocky wall, Despairful moanings in its fall, And on the furies sprang or crept Then at the trembling forest leapt. The leaves in murmurs told their dread The trees bent low, the furies sped Away through forest hill and dale With gruesome havoc in their trail. The millionaire contently thought, The house is strong my slaves have wrought, I can defy the crash and shock Within my house of granite rock. His pride was just, his house was good, The storm's attack it quite withstood. And proudly then he raised his head And thus defiantly he said : I hold the mighty magic rod, I fear no man, I fear no god, I laugh at both and them I mock Within my house of granite rock. An earthquake came and wrenched the lee, The granite house fell in the sea, It took the castle from the air And also took the millionaire. 34 After the Confession TO THE STRONG. And yet withal, the world loves not a fool ; 'Tis he, who fiercely fights with might and main, That wins the day ; the brave will live ; the rule Holds good for man and beast; the weak are slain To give the strong their boding force to try Full use of life; the quick will live the slow must die. So great is courage's pow'r, that e'en the eyes Of love' that much forgive, a craven heart That beats with fear and halts, will soon despise. For love loves courage as the chiefest part, And courage wins when whining cowards fail As winds serve best a full resisting sail. And Other Verses. 35 So loved are the strong, that e'en the Crucified Holds forth to them His pierced and bleeding hand, And says : In agony and death I've tried To teach that strength is God's supreme command ; For they who suffer much and suffer long, Though weak in flesh, remain in spirit strong. TWILIGHT. Behold, how bits of rose and blue' In fancifully blended hue, Are fading into lambent air That glints upon the sea ; and there The heaving, ever-changing light Is rocked to wait the coming night ; The sea devours the day. As light is swept away Despairing voices call ; The darksome shadows fall Upon the world of light, And then, farewell, good-night ! 36 After the Confession THE LILY AND THE ROSE. (A Persian Fable.) ®> ® @> When God had willed this world to be, He smiled, and lo, His very face Enflamed a scene of symmetry, Of beauty, love and matchless grace. And dulcet sounds from flowers rang Wherein the gentle zephyrs played, While love its sweetest cadence sang In all the Master Mind had made. As night had fallen on the scene, The lily — glowing deeply red, The rose, that gleamed in white serene, With fervent speech did woo, and said : Oh, rose, fair rose, I pray, incline Thine ear and harken to my plea, Behold, my heart with love ferine Is burning, fairest rose, for thee. The rose then said : I can't return Thy passion, for the Lord above No blood infused my veins to burn With fierce desire, I cannot love. And Other Verses. 37 At this the lily's passion grew Yet more intense, her heart would break If love came not to save, she knew, And sighed. At length she smiled and spake : Fair rose of love, do not despair, The Lord in wisdom did ordain That I my blood with thee shall share And share with thee all bliss and pain. The rose then smiled with silent scorn, Prepared to play a hateful part, She forthwith sent her sharpest thorn To pierce the loving lily's heart. The lily's blood flowed all the night Upon the rose's face and head, And morning found the lily white, The rose a deep and vivid red. And when the rose was thus arrayed In carmined dress of rarest hue, And gems wherein the sunbeams played, A Fairy gave her fragrance, too. But since the rose did not repent, And gloried at her suitor's woe, The Lord imposed a punishment That she on thorny stalks should grow. 4 38 After the Confession TO MY LADY. No crown can sweeter graces Thy womanhood impart, For, written on thy face, is A noble mind and heart. COURAGE IS KING. A New Year's Toast. To friends we have made and plans we have laid If noble the thought that laid them No failure or fear can touch us this year For friends are true if — we made them. So up with a cheer to the vanished old year And hail with delight the new one Let bravely us sing, for Courage is King And stick to friend who's a true one. And Other Verses. 39 INCONSTANCY. $ ® Woman doomed to constant fretting For a lover far away Falls a victim to — forgetting When another comes to stay. REST. Behind the crest of yonder purpling hill, Low sinks the splendor glowing western sun; The perfumed air is calm and sweetly still, For now the day is past and toil is done. Upon the breast of night, in sweet repose The wearied earth reclines her grate- ful head; Forgotten all her sins and griefs and woes, She dreams of love, and in her dream is glad. Set to music by Mr. Robert Coverley. 40 After the Confession THE WORDS FROM THY LIPS. Translation by the Author. Die Worter Deiner Lippen. Du hast mir mit zartlichen Worten Das Herz und die Seele betriibt ; Du hast mir so vollig bewiesen, Wie hingebend Du mich geliebt. Doch bin ich so traurig und elend, Mein Herz mir vor Wehmut schier bricht; Nun kann ich im Dunkel nicht wandeln, Und wage mich doch nicht ans Licht. Drum fuhre mich hiitlich, Du Holde, Ich weile ja gerne bei Dir ; Ach, bind mich mit Ketten der Liebe ! Dan dien' ich Dir fur und fiir ! © And Other Verses. 41 LEAVE ME NOT. Translation by the Author. Lass Mich Nicht. Lass mich nicht denn Furcht und Bangen Fuellt mein Herz und truebt den Blick ; Sterben muss ich vor Verlangen Ohne Dich, oh, Du, mein Glueck. Treue hast Du mir geschworen, Innig klang Dein suesser Eid; Dein war ich, von Dir erkoren, Dich zu lieben nur geweiht. Lass mich nicht in Gram und Sorgen Waehrend noch das Glueck uns lacht ; Freude kann der Tag nicht borgen Von der hoffnungslosen Nacht. Lass mich nicht — ich bin entmuthet; Wie ein Blinder fleht nach Licht Fleh' ich weil mein Herz verblutet, Lass mich nicht, oh, lass mich night ! 42 After the Confession THE FLOWERS' LOVE. Blumen Liebe. Ich sah 'ne thau 'ge Blume, Gar herrlich aufgeblueht ; Doch hoert' ich ihre Klage Im innersten Gemueth. Ich hoerte dass die Blume Hat einen stillen Schmerz, Und ist ihr koestlich Duften Ein seufzend Blumenherz. Es bringt die Morgen Sonne Geheimen Gram ans Licht; Die Blume steht und seufzet, Thauthraenen im Gesicht. Oh, sage, holde Rose, Hat Scham dir Roeth' vererbt? Bist du, oh, weisse Lilie, Von Leidenschaft entfaerbt? Ihr liebt, oh, holde Blumen, An naechtlich stillem Ort, Und trotz der Schmerzens Thraenen So blueht ihr weiter fort. And Other Verses. 43 ASK ME NOT. Translation by the Author. Frage Nicht. Frage nicht warum ich lieb' Dich, Gluehend Dir ins Auge schau' ; Frag' warum die Rosen welken Ohne Sonne, ohne Thau. Sieh' die armen Sonnenblumen, Wenden stets ihr Angesicht, Und verlangend ewig suchen Einen Kuss vom Sonnenlicht. Ach, ich weiss nur dass ich lieb' Dich, Dass ich rasend bin und blind ; Denn was Sonne ist den Blumen Das mir Deine Augen sind ! • 9 44 After the Confession WEIN UND WEIBER, Lied einer Ungarin. Ohne Wein da isch ka Leben, Ohne Liab isch ka Sein ; Ohne Sonne kaine Reben, Ohne Reben kainen Wein. Ohne Weiber kaine Kisse, Ohne Kisse kaine Lust; Ohne Lust nur Aergernisse, . Wachsen in der Menschenbrust. Drum Du Herz' ger, lass uns kissen, Lass betaiben uns den Sinn; Lass der ganzen Welt es wissen, Dass ich Daine Liabste bin. And Other Verses. 45 GUTER RAT, Mein Sohn, sei gut wie sich's gebuehrt, Der Menschenlieb' ergieb Dich ganz, Den selbst beim Schweine oft sich ruehrt Recht mitleidscoll der krause Schwanz. Nimm Alles was Dein Aug' begehrt, Auf Reichthum sei Dein Sinn bedacht, Weil Alles was ein Schwein verzehrt So ziemlich guten Schinken macht. Und siehst Du jeh bei einem Mann 'Ne Zucker-Kringel, nimm sie doch, Und iss sie auf, der Dumme kann Begnuegt sein mit dem schoenen Loch. Leih' Geld, mein Sohn, warum denn nicht? Der Edle froehnt der edlen That, Doch hoere was von Pfand man spricht Ob Werth es fuer die Summa hat. After the Confession In Glaubens Sachen sei recht schlau, Der Glaube ist ein hart Geschwuer, Drum ist's gescheuter wenn Du oft Halb often laesst die Meinungs Thuer. Zum Beispiel : Der Pastor Mueller sagt zu mir : " Die Heil'ge Schrift die unterweist, Dass Christus mit zwei Broden hat Fuenf tausend Menschen einst gespeist. 11 Nun glauben Sie's, mein lieber Stein ? " Gewiss, ich glaub' es ganz wie 'n Kind, Nur"-— "Was," schreit Mueller," was meint nur ? " Ob sie auch satt geworden sind? Mit bestem Gruss an Gross und Klein, Dein lieber Vater Itzig Stein. And Other Verses. 47 DAS MEER WEIB. Steigend aus dem blauen Meere, Farbenreich im Sonnenglanz; Sah ein Juengling eines Tages, Einen grossen Wallfisch-schwanz. Auf der Spitze dieses Schwanzes, Sass ein herrlich schoenes Weib ; Meeres-tiefe in den Augen Alabaster gleich der Leib. Auf dem Ruecken hing ihr langes, Seidenweiches schwarz Gelock; Und den blendend weissen Busen Deckte duennes Schaum-Geflock. Bald erhob sie ihre Stimme, Wunder suess war ihr Gesang; Gluecklich schien der Fisch im Wasser Doch dem Juengling wurde bang. Siisser tonen ihre Laute Und der Jungling steht und Iauscht, Augen, Haar, Gesang and Busen, Hoben vollig ihn berauscht. 48 After the Confession Und sie lud ihn mitzukommen, In den Unter-See Palast; Dort ein Weilchen auszuruhen, Als ihr einzig liebster Cast. Viele Leute sind da unten Alle werden amuesirt; Und so manchen guten Dichter, Hab' ich dort schon eingefuehrt. Dichter hassen zwar das Wasser Ihre Force ist der Wein Doch vergiebt sich Mancher Etwas In dem Kreise Gast zu sein. Also sprach die holde Nixe, Und der Juengling ging mit ihr; Reitend auf des Fisches Schwanze, In das Unter See Quartir. 23 1^08 / m