Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ROMANCERO: BOOK 1. HISTORIES: TWO KNIGHTS, by HEINRICH HEINE Poet's Biography First Line: Crapulinski and waschlapski, / poles in poland born and bred Last Line: "and the mighty eselinski." Subject(s): Friendship; Heroism; Knights & Knighthood; Poland; Heroes; Heroines | ||||||||
CRAPULINSKI and Waschlapski, Poles in Poland born and bred, Fought for their dear country's freedom 'Gainst the Russian tyrant dread. Boldly did they fight, and lastly Found at Paris a retreat; Living, just as much as dying For one's fatherland, is sweet. Like Achilles and Patroclus, David and his Jonathan, Loved the pair of Poles each other, Kiss'd, and said: "Kochan! Kochan!" Neither e'er betray'd the other, Both were faithful friends and true, Notwithstanding that they Poles were, Born and bred in Poland too. They the same apartment dwelt in, In the selfsame bed slept they, And in noble emulation Scratch'd themselves by night and day. In the selfsame beershop dined they, And as neither was content That the other paid his reckoning, Neither ever paid a cent. 'Twas the selfsame washerwoman Did the washing for the pair; Humming, for their linen came she Every month to wash and air. Yes, they really had their linen, Each one had two shirts, well-worn, Notwithstanding that they Poles were, Poles in Poland bred and born. They to-day sit near the chimney, Where the flames a bright glow cast; Out of doors are night, a snowstorm, And the coaches driving past. They a mighty bowl of punch have Drain'd already and devour'd; (Understand me, 'twas unsugar'd, And unwater'd and unsour'd.) Sorrow o'er their souls is creeping, Tears their furrow'd faces streak: With a voice of deep emotion Thus doth Crapulinski speak; "Would that I had here in Paris "My dear bearskin, my old cotton "Dressing-gown, my catskin-nightcap, "In my fatherland forgotten!" Thus to him replied Waschlapski: "O thou art a driv'ller true; "Of thy home thou'rt ever thinking, "Catskin-nightcap, bearskin too. "Poland has not yet quite perish'd, "Still our wives to sons give birth, "And our girls will do so likewise, "And produce us men of worth, "Heroes, like great Sobieski, "Like Schelmufski and Uminski, "Eskrokewitsch, Schubiakski, "And the mighty Eselinski." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CONFESSION OF ST. JIM-RALPH by DENIS JOHNSON NOTES FOR AN ELEGY by WILLIAM MEREDITH THE EROTICS OF HISTORY by EAVAN BOLAND A SONG FOR HEROES by EDWIN MARKHAM AFTER THE BROKEN ARM by RON PADGETT PRELUDE; FOR GEOFFREY GORER by EDITH SITWELL EXAMINATION OF THE HERO IN A TIME OF WAR by WALLACE STEVENS |
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