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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE WEDDING FEAST by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

First Line: I CHANCED TO WALK, NOT LONG AGO
Last Line: BETOKEN SINGULARITY.
Subject(s): FEASTS; MARRIAGE; YOUTH; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES;

I CHANCED to walk, not long ago,
Into the village down below;
The people all were gaily drest,
They told me 'twas a marriage feast.

Within the dancing-room I found
Some sixty couples whirling round;
Each lass supported by her lad,
And every face was blithe and glad.

'A happy day, indeed!' I cried;
'But tell me, which may be the bride?'
The bumpkin answer'd with a stare --
'Lord, sir! I neither know nor care!

'Three nights have we been dancing here,
And tasting of her wedding cheer;
I merely came for fun and drinking,
About the bride I've not been thinking!'

If every man would speak the truth,
As freely as this honest youth,
His case would not -- so ponder'd I --
Betoken singularity.



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