“The poets are nonpluss’d how to begin “To describe the charms of her snow-white skin; “E’en Gautier[65] unable to do it, alas! is, “Its whiteness all description surpasses. “The highest Himalaya’s snow “Beside her seems ash-grey to grow; “The lily that she by accident thumbs “Through envy or contrast yellow becomes. “The Countess Bianca is the name “Of this enormous snow-white dame; “At Paris she dwells, in the land of France, “And the elephant loves her by singular chance. “By strange and wondrous elective affinity “She became through a dream his bosom’s divinity “And into his heart this lofty Ideal “First crept by means of a vision unreal. “Since then he’s consumed by a yearning stealthy, “And he, who was once so joyous and healthy, “As a four-footed Werther sadly stands, “And dreams of a Lotte in Northern lands. “O, Sympathy’s mysterious thrill! “He never saw her, but thinks of her still; “Oft tramps he round in the moonlight fair, “And sighs: ‘O were I a bird of the air!’ “His body alone is in Siam, his mind “In France with Bianca thou’lt certainly find; “And yet this parting of body and soul “Must greatly injure his health as a whole. “From the daintiest morsels revolts his belly, “He cares for nothing but vermicelli; “He’s coughing already, and fast grows thinner; “His yearning will kill him, or I’m a sinner. “If thou wouldst save him, preserve him alive, “His return to the animal world contrive, “O King, then send the renown’d invalid “Direct to Paris, with utmost speed. “When he on the spot in the actual sight “Of the beautiful lady can take delight-- “Of her who the prototype was of his dream, “He’ll soon be cured of his sadness extreme. “There where his mistress’s glances fall, “His spirit’s torments will vanish all; “Her smiles will the last of the shadows efface “Which in his bosom had taken their place. “And then her voice, like a magical tune, “Will cure his distracted mind full soon; “The flaps of his ears he’ll joyfully raise, “And feel as he felt in youthful days. “All things are so very enchanting and pretty “On the banks of the Seine, in Paris’ fair city! “How thy elephant there will civilized be, “Amusing himself right merrily! “But most of all, O monarch, take care “That plenty of money he has with him there, “And a letter of credit, all charges to meet, “On Rothschild Frères in the Rue Lafitte, “For a million of ducats or thereabouts; “Then Baron Rothschild will harbour no doubts “About him, but say with an accent mellow: “‘The elephant’s really a capital fellow!’” The astrologer thus discoursed, and then He threw himself thrice on the ground again. The king with rich presents sent him away, And stretched himself, his course to survey.