Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GERMANY; A WINTER TALE: CAPUT 5, by HEINRICH HEINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GERMANY; A WINTER TALE: CAPUT 5, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: And when I came to the bridge o'er the rhine
Last Line: "farewell, we shall meet hereafter."
Subject(s): France; Germany; Musset, Alfred De (1810-1857); Rhine (river), Europe; Germans


AND when I came to the bridge o'er the Rhine,
Where the bastion its corner advances,
There saw I Father Rhine flowing on
In the silent moonbeam's glances.

"All hail to thee, good Father Rhine,
"Now that I'm home returning!
"Full often have I on thee thought,
"With longing and deep yearning."

Thus spake I, and heard in the waters deep
A voice at once strange and moaning,
Like the wheezing cough of an aged man,
With grumbling and feeble groaning:

"Thou'rt welcome, and as thou rememberest me,
"I see thee, good youth, again gladly;
"'This thirteen long years since I saw thee last,
"My affairs have meanwhile gone badly.

"At Biborich many a stone I've gulp'd down,
"My digestion in consequence worse is;
"Yet heavier far on my stomach, alas,
"Lie Nicholas Becker's verses!

"My praises he chants, as though I were now
"The purest and best-behaved maiden,
"Who never allow'd any mortal to steal
"The crown with her purity laden.

"Whenever I hear the stupid song,
"I could tear my beard in a passion,
"And feel inclined to drown myself
"In myself, in a curious fashion!

"That I am a virgin pure no more
"The French know better than any;
"For they with my waters have mingled oft
"Their floods of victory many.

"The stupid song and the stupid man!
"Indeed he has treated me badly;
"To a certain extent he has compromised me
"In matters political sadly.

"For if the French should ever come back,
"I must blush at their reappearance,
"Though I've pray'd with tears for their return
"To heaven with perseverance.

"I always have loved full well the French,
"So tiny yet full of sinew;
"Still wear they white breeches as formerly?
"Does their singing and springing continue?

"Right glad should I be to see them again,
"And yet I'm afraid to be twitted
"On account of the words of that cursed song,
"And the sneers of its author half-witted!

"That Alfred de Musset, that lad upon town,
"Perchance will come as their drummer,
"And march at their head, and his wretched wit
"Play off on me all through the summer."

Poor Father Rhine thus made his complaints,
And discontentedly splutter'd. --
In order to raise his sinking heart,
These comforting words I utter'd:

"O do not dread, good Father Rhine,
"The laugh of a Frenchman, which is
"Worth little, for he is no longer the same,
"And they also have alter'd their breeches.

"Their breeches are rod, and no longer are white,
"They also have alter'd the button;
"No longer they sing and no longer they spring,
"But hang their heads like dead mutton.

"They now are philosophers all, and quote
"Hegel, Fichte, Kant, over their victuals;
"Tobacco they smoke, and beer they drink,
"And many play also at skittles.

"They're all, like us Germans, becoming mere snobs,
"But carry it even farther;
"No longer they follow in Voltaire's steps,
"But believe in Hengstenberg rather.

"As for Alfred de Musset, indeed it is true
"That he still to abuse gives a handle;
"But be not afraid, and we'll soon chain down
"His tongue so devoted to scandal.

"And if he should play off his wretched wit,
"We'll punish him most severely,
"Proclaiming aloud the adventures he meets
"With the women he loves most dearly.

"Then be contented, good Father Rhine,
"Bad songs treat only with laughter;
"A better song ere long thou shalt hear, --
"Farewell, we shall meet hereafter."





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