The Trumpeter of Sakkingen Part 12

By the lake they gaily looked now At the fishing booty struggling.

Flapping in the net's strong meshes Were the captives. Many snapping Sought a way still for escaping, But on the bare sand were landed; And thus fruitless was their trial.

Those who felt toward each other In the depths such bitter hatred, Now as captives were quite peaceful: Snake-like eels, so smooth and slippery, Well-fed carps with huge broad noses, And the pirate-fish, the slender Pike with jaws large and voracious.

As in war, the harmless peasants Often to stray shots fall victims, So the fate of being captured Many others overtook: Handsome barbels, spotted gudgeons; Tiny bleaks, the river-swallow; And through all this crowd of fishes Sluggishly the crab was creeping; Inwardly he sadly grumbled: "Caught together, hung together."

Well contented said the Baron: "After labour comes amus.e.m.e.nt.

Seems to me, that our fresh booty Will taste better in the forest.

Therefore let us now make ready For ourselves a rustic dinner."

To these words they all a.s.sented, And the landlord of the "b.u.t.ton"

Sent out two fleet-footed fellows To the city with the order: "Two large pans bring quickly hither; Bring me golden fresh-made b.u.t.ter, Also bread, and salt sufficient, And a keg of fine old wine.

Bring me lemons too, and sugar; For I feel a premonition As if May-drink would be wanted."

Off they started. Under shelter Of a rock with a tall pine-tree, Some the hearth were getting ready, Bringing there dry boughs and f.a.gots, Loads of furze and moss together.

Others now prepared the fishes For the feast, and all the ladies Gathered herbs of spicy fragrance, Such as thyme and leaves of strawberries; Also gathered for the May-wine The white-blooming fragrant woodroof.

Which rejoiced at being broken By such tender hands, and thought thus: "Sweet it was in these dark pine-woods, To be blooming, 'mid the rocks here, But still sweeter in the May-time 'Tis to die, and with the last breath Highly then to spice the May-wine For the joy of human beings.

Death in general is corruption, But the woodroof's death is like that Of the morning-dew on blossoms, Sweetly, without sighs, exhaling."

From the town returning quickly Came the two fleet-footed fellows, Bringing stores, as had been ordered.

And soon crackled on the stone-hearth Cheerfully a blazing fire.

In the pans were frying briskly What had recently been swimming.

First a mighty pike was served up To the ladies by the landlord, As a show of rustic cooking; And a solemn earnest silence Soon gave evidence that all were Very busy with the banquet.

Only the confused low sounds of Gnawing fish-bones, munching crab-claws, Now disturbed the forest quiet.

Meanwhile, farther up, delicious Fragrant May-wine was preparing.

In a bowl of size capacious Margaretta's taste artistic Well had brewed it; mild and spicy, As sweet May himself the drink was.

Every gla.s.s she filled up, kindly Helping all with graceful bearing.

Everybody got his share, and All were merry round the fire.

There the city-teacher also Stretched himself upon the gra.s.s-bank.

From the school he had absconded, Also to enjoy the fishing.

In his heart he bore a secret, Had to-day composed a song.

May-wine, May-wine, drink of magic!

Suddenly his cheeks were glowing, And his eyes were shining brightly.

On the rock he sprang courageous, Saying: "I will sing you something."

Smiling now, the others listened, And young Werner stepping forward, On his trumpet low and softly Blew a piece first as a prelude.

Then upon the rock the teacher Raised his voice and sang with fervour.

Werner joined him on the trumpet Clear and joyful, and the chorus Also fell in--clear and joyful Through the forest rang the

MAY SONG.

"A wondrous youth of lovely mien Rich gifts of joy is strewing; O'er hill and vale, where'er are seen His footsteps, light is glowing.

The fresh young green decks hill and lea, The birds are singing merrily, While falls in gentle showers A rain of snow-white flowers.

So in the woods we sing and shout, Heigh-tralala loud ringing; We sing, while all things bud and sprout, To May our welcome bringing.

"Young May in humming sounds delights, Is full of merry capers; So through the fir-trees swarm great flights Of golden buzzing chafers.

And from the moss white lilies rise, Of spring the fairest sweetest prize; Their bells in tuneful measure Ring in the May with pleasure.

So in the woods we sing and shout, Heigh-tralala loud ringing; We sing, while all things bud and sprout, To May our welcome bringing.

"Now everyone may think, who can, Of mirth, and love that burneth; To many an old and worthy man His youth again returneth.

His shouts resound across the Rhine: 'O let me in, thou sweetheart mine!'

And voices loud are crying; Love's darts in May are flying.

So in the woods we sing and shout Heigh-tralala loud ringing; We sing, while all things bud and sprout, To May our welcome bringing."

Long the plaudits, loud the clapping, When it ended. And the ladies Also seemed delighted with it; As, indeed, in the loud chorus Many gentle female voices Readily could be distinguished.

Margaret in playful humour, Out of hazel-leaves and holly, And of violets and crowfoot, Wound a garland, and said archly: "This wreath to the most deserving!

But I'm puzzled who shall get it-- Whether he who sang the May-song, Or else he who on the trumpet Played the fine accompaniment."

Said the Baron: "In this matter I will give a just decision.

Ever the first prize is given To the poet; but a garland Or a laurel-crown, what are they?

I agree with the old Grecians Who awarded to the singer Just the victim's fattest portion, As the saddle or the b.u.t.tock.

And I fancy that the teacher's Stores are not so well provided, That he'll offer an objection.

Therefore I make him a present Of the largest pike and carp, which Still are left among our booty.

But as my young friend, the trumpeter, Seems disposed less practically, So you may, in my opinion, Honour him with your fair garland; For, indeed, he played not badly."

Simpering now the happy singer Rubbed his hands and blessed the May-time, As he saw a glowing vision Of the pan with fishes frying.

But young Werner to the maiden Bashfully approached, and lowly Bending on his knee, he hardly Dared to gaze at her blue eyes.

But with grace placed Margaretta On his brow the blooming garland, While a weird and lurid fire-light Suddenly in fitful flashes Fell upon the group a.s.sembled.

For the embers on the hearth-stone Had ignited the old pine-tree.

Flaming fiery tongues now glided Through the branches full of resin; And the sparks flew crackling upward Wildly to the evening sky.

Margaretta, Margaretta!

Were they fireworks which the pine woods Fondly burned to do thee honour?

Or did Cupid with his flaming Love-torch wander through the forest?

But the flames were soon extinguished.

And the Baron now gave orders That the party should break up; and Fishers, riders, n.o.ble ladies, All went homeward in the twilight.

Faintly glimmering fell the last bright Sparks from out the pine-tree branches, Sinking in the mountain-lake.

EIGHTH PART.

THE CONCERT IN THE GARDEN PAVILION.

In the garden of the castle Mighty chestnut trees are standing, And a pretty gay pavilion.

In the Rhine are deeply sunken The foundations of the terrace.

'Tis a quiet cosy corner, Hidden by a ma.s.s of foliage.

While below the waves are murmuring.