The Poems of Goethe Part 39

All proposed attending!

Johnny, go and look around!

Are they hither wending?

I've too ask'd young gentlemen,

Who are far from haughty, And whose purses are well-stock'd,

Well-behaved, not haughty.

These especially I ask'd,

All proposed attending.

Johnny, go and look around!

Are they hither wending?

Men I summon'd with respect,

Who their own wives treasure; Who in ogling other Fair

Never take a pleasure.

To my greetings they replied,

All proposed attending.

Johnny, go and look around!

Are they hither wending?

Then to make our joy complete,

Poets I invited, Who love other's songs far more

Than what they've indited.

All acceded to my wish,

All proposed attending.

Johnny, go and look around!

Are they hither wending?

Not a single one appears,

None seem this way posting.

All the soup boils fast away,

Joints are over-roasting.

Ah, I fear that we have been

Rather too unbending!

Johnny, tell me what you think!

None are hither wending.

Johnny, run and quickly bring

Other guests to me now!

Each arriving as he is--

That's the plan, I see now.

In the town at once 'tis known,

Every one's commending.

Johnny, open all the doors:

All are hither wending!

1815.*

----- THE RECKONING.

LEADER.

LET no cares now hover o'er us

Let the wine unsparing run!

Wilt thou swell our merry chorus?

Hast thou all thy duty done?

SOLO.

Two young folks--the thing is curious--

Loved each other; yesterday Both quite mild, to-day quite furious,

Next day, quite the deuce to pay!

If her neck she there was stooping,

He must here needs pull his hair.

I revived their spirits drooping,

And they're now a happy pair.

CHORUS.

Surely we for wine may languish!

Let the b.u.mper then go round!

For all sighs and groans of anguish