“That is a magic kettle wherein “The magic forces are brewing; “On placing thy head in the aperture, soon “The future thou’lt clearly be viewing. “Yes, Germany’s future there thou’lt see, “Like wondrously rolling phantasmas; “But shudder not, if out of the filth “Arise any foul miasmas!” She spoke, and she laugh’d a singular laugh But I undauntedly hasted To hold my head over the terrible hole, And there I eagerly placed it. I’ll not betray, for silence I vow’d, The things that I saw and felt there; I scarcely dare to utter a word, Good heavens, of what I smelt there! With deep disgust I think to this day Of that smell, which blended together, In vile and accursèd union, a stench Of old cabbage and Russia leather. And heavens! the stink that afterwards rose Was still more filthy and dirty; ’Twas as though they had swept together the soil From closets six and thirty. I know full well what was said by Saint Just In the famous Committee of Safety: “Great illnesses cannot be cured by musk “And rose-oil,” he told them with naïveté. And yet this German futurity’s smell Was infinitely stronger Than aught that my nose could e’er have conceived-- In fact I could bear it no longer.-- My senses I lost, and on opening my eyes Once more, I found myself sitting Beside the goddess, and leaning my head On her breast, in a manner befitting. Her look it glisten’d, her mouth it glow’d, Her nostrils twitched, with bacchantic Excitement she clasp’d the poet, and sang With ecstasy fearful and frantic: “Stay with me in Hamburg, I love thee full well, “And we’ll eat and drink with gladness “The oysters and wine of present times, “Forgetting the future’s sadness. “Put on the cover, for fear lest the stench “Should all our pleasure cloud over; “I love thee no German poet had e’er “A more affectionate lover! “I kiss thee, and I feel myself now “By thy genius quite inspired; “My spirit by a wondrous kind “Of paroxysm is fired. “I feel as though I heard in the street “The watchmen singing in chorus; “’Tis wedding music and bridal songs, “Sweet friend, that are rising o’er us. “The attendants on horseback also approach, “With their torches flaring brightly; “The torch-dance they dance in dignified wise, “And hop and spring about lightly. “The noble and worshipful Senate is there, “And the elders according to station; “The burgomaster clears his throat, “Preparing a lengthy oration. “In glittering uniforms also appear “The whole of the corps diplomatic, “In the name of the neighbouring states to present “Congratulations emphatic.