"When in prayer at even bending Frightens us the loneliness, Favor and desire are wending Thitherward to our caress; How disdain the fair offender, Or resist the soft surrender? "Mothers stern our charms concealing, Every day prescribe anew. What availeth all our willing? Spring they not again to view? Warm desire is ever riving Closest fetters with its striving. "Every impulse harshly spurning Hard and cold to be as stone, Never glances bright returning, Close to be and all alone, Heed to no entreaty giving,-- Call you that the flower of living? "Ah, how great a maid's annoyance, Sick and chafed her bosom is,-- And to make her only joyance, Withered lips bestow a kiss! Will the leaf be turning never, Elders' reign to end forever?" Both old and young laughed. The girls blushed and smiled aside. Amidst a thousand railleries a second garland was brought and put upon Klingsohr. They begged him, however, very earnestly not to give them such a gay song. "No," said Klingsohr, "I will take good care not to speak so lightly of your secrets; say yourselves what kind of a song you would prefer." "Anything but a love song," cried the girls; "let it be a drinking song if you like." Klingsohr sang:-- "On verdant mountain-side is growing The god, who heaven to us brings; The sun's own foster-child, and glowing With all the fire its favor flings. "In Spring is he conceived with pleasure, The bud unfolds in silent joy, And mid the Autumn's harvest-treasure Forth springs to life the golden boy. "Within his narrow cradle lying, In vaulted rooms beneath the ground, He dreams of feasts and banners flying And airy castles all around. "Near to his dwelling none remaineth, When chafeth he in restless strife, And every hoop and fetter straineth In all the pride of youthful life. "For viewless watchmen round are closing, Until his lordly dreams are o'er, With air-enveloped spears opposing The loiterer near the sacred door. "So when unfold his sleeping pinions, With sparkling eyes he greets the day, Obeys in peace his priestly minions, And forth he cometh when they pray. "From cradle's murky bosom faring, He winketh through a crystal dress, The rose of close alliance bearing, Expressive in its ruddiness.