The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 57

In satin and in velvet, Behold the younker dressed: Bedizen'd o'er with ribbons, A cross upon his breast.

Prime minister they made him; He wore a star of state; And all his poor relations Were courtiers, rich and great.

The gentlemen and ladies At court were sore distressed; The queen and all her maidens Were bitten by the pest, And yet they dared not scratch them Or chase the fleas away.

If we are bit, we catch them, And crack without delay.

CHORUS _(shouting)_

 

If we are bit, etc.

FROSCH

Bravo! That's the song for me!

SIEBEL

Such be the fate of every flea!

BRANDER

With clever finger catch and kill!

ALTMAYER

Hurrah for wine and freedom still!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Were but your wine a trifle better, friend, A gla.s.s to freedom I would gladly drain.

SIEBEL

You'd better not repeat those words again!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I am afraid the landlord to offend; Else freely would I treat each worthy guest From our own cellar to the very best.

SIEBEL

Out with it then! Your doings I'll defend.

FROSCH

Give a good gla.s.s, and straight we'll praise you, one and all.

Only let not your samples be too small; For if my judgment you desire, Certes, an ample mouthful I require.

ALTMAYER _(aside)_

I guess, they're from the Rhenish land.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Fetch me a gimlet here!

BRANDER

Say, what therewith to bore?

You cannot have the wine-casks at the door?

ALTMAYER

Our landlord's tool-basket behind doth yonder stand.

MEPHISTOPHELES _(takes the gimlet_) _(To_ FROSCH)

Now only say! what liquor will you take?

FROSCH

How mean you that? Have you of every sort?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Each may his own selection make.

ALTMAYER (_to_ FROSCH)

Ha! Ha! You lick your lips already at the thought.

FROSCH

Good, if I have my choice, the Rhenish I propose; For still the fairest gifts the fatherland bestows.

MEPHISTOPHELES (_boring a hole in the edge of the table_ _opposite to where_ FROSCH _is sitting_)

Get me a little wax--and make some stoppers--quick!

ALTMAYER

Why, this is nothing but a juggler's trick!

MEPHISTOPHELES (_to_ BRANDER)

And you?

BRANDER

Champagne's the wine for me; Right brisk, and sparkling let it be!