On table, on bench, and on stool; Then all who had joined in the festival gay With their partners attempt to grow cool. The hams and the sausages nimbly they bear, And meat, fish, and poultry in plenty are there, Surrounded with wine of the vintage most rare: And when they have revell'd full long, They vanish at last with a song. * * * * * * And if we're to sing all that further occurr'd, Pray cease ye to bluster and prate; For what he so gladly in small saw and heard He enjoy'd and he practis'd in great. For trumpets, and singing, and shouts without end On the bridal-train, chariots and horsemen attend, They come and appear, and they bow and they bend, In merry and countless array. Thus was it, thus is it to-day. 1802. ----- THE TREASURE-DIGGER ALL my weary days I pass'd Sick at heart and poor in purse. Poverty's the greatest curse, Riches are the highest good! And to end my woes at last, Treasure-seeking forth I sped. "Thou shalt have my soul instead!" Thus I wrote, and with my blood. Ring round ring I forthwith drew, Wondrous flames collected there, Herbs and bones in order fair, Till the charm had work'd aright. Then, to learned precepts true, Dug to find some treasure old, In the place my art foretold Black and stormy was the night. Coming o'er the distant plain, With the glimmer of a star, Soon I saw a light afar, As the hour of midnight knell'd. Preparation was in vain. Sudden all was lighted up With the lustre of a cup That a beauteous boy upheld. Sweetly seem'd his eves to laugh Neath his flow'ry chaplet's load; With the drink that brightly glow'd, He the circle enter'd in. And he kindly bade me quaff: Then methought "This child can ne'er, With his gift so bright and fair, To the arch-fiend be akin." "Pure life's courage drink!" cried he: "This advice to prize then learn,-- Never to this place return Trusting in thy spells absurd; Dig no longer fruitlessly. Guests by night, and toil by day! Weeks laborious, feast-days gay! Be thy future magic-word! 1797. ----- THE RAT-CATCHER. I AM the bard known far and wide, The travell'd rat-catcher beside; A man most needful to this town, So glorious through its old renown. However many rats I see, How many weasels there may be, I cleanse the place from ev'ry one, All needs must helter-skelter run. Sometimes the bard so full of cheer As a child-catcher will appear, Who e'en the wildest captive brings, Whene'er his golden tales he sings. However proud each boy in heart, However much the maidens start, I bid the chords sweet music make, And all must follow in my wake. Sometimes the skilful bard ye view In the form of maiden-catcher too; For he no city enters e'er, Without effecting wonders there. However coy may be each maid, However the women seem afraid, Yet all will love-sick be ere long To sound of magic lute and song.