Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine Part 14

Patience! they said, and in my need They'd prove themselves my friends indeed.

Despite their promise to help and protect, I surely had perished of sheer neglect, Had there not come a worthy man, Who bravely to help me now began.

Oh, the worthy man! he gave me to eat; Such kindness as his I shall never forget.

I long to embrace him, but never can, For I am myself this excellent man.

LXVII.

This most amiable of fellows Ne'er enough can honored be.

Ah! to oysters, Rhine-wine, cordial, Many a time he treated me.

Natty are his hose and trousers, Nattier his cravat is seen; And he enters every morning, Asks me how my health has been.

Of my rich renown he speaketh, Of my charms and wit displayed.

Zealous, eager seems he ever To befriend me and to aid.

And at parties in the evening, With inspired brow and eye, He declaims before the ladies My immortal poesy.

How delightfully refres.h.i.+ng Now-a-days to find still here Such a youth, when good things surely More and more do disappear.

LXVIII.

I dreamt I was Almighty G.o.d, And sat within the sky, And angels sat on either side, And praised my poetry.

And sweets and pasties there I ate, And drank the best Tokay, Worth many a precious florin bright, Yet had no bill to pay.

No less was I nigh bored to death, And longed for earth and evil, And were I not Almighty G.o.d, I fain had been the devil.

"Thou long-legged angel Gabriel, Make haste; begone from here!

And hither bring my friend Eugene, The friend I love so dear.

"Within the college seek him not, But where good wine inspires.

And seek him not in Hedwig Church, But seek him at Miss Myers'."

Then spreading broad his mighty wings, The angel doth descend, And hastens off, and brings me back Dear Bendel, my good friend.

Lo, youth, I am Almighty G.o.d!

The earth is my estate.

Did I not always promise thee I should be something great?

And I accomplish miracles That shall thy homage win.

To-day to please thee I shall bless The city of Berlin.

Behold, the pavements of each street Now wider, broader, grown!

And to an oyster, fresh and clear, Transformed is every stone.

A shower of sweet lemonade Pours down like dew divine.

And through the very gutters flows The mellowest Rhine wine.

Oh, how the Berlinese rejoice!

They lush o'er such good fare.

The councillors and aldermen Will drain the gutters bare.

The poets are in ecstasies At such a feast divine.

The captains and the corporals Lick up the streaming wine.

The captains and the corporals, What clever men are they!

They think--such miracles as these Occur not every day.

LXIX.

I left you in the midmost of July, To-day, my friends in winter I behold.

Then in the heat ye basked so warm and bright, But now ye have grown cool, yea, even cold.

Soon I depart again, and come once more, Then shall I find you neither warm nor cold.

And I shall moan lamenting o'er your graves, And mine own heart shall then be poor and old.

LXX.

Oh, to be chased from lovely lips! and torn From lovely arms that clasped as in a dream.

I fain had stayed with thee another morn.

Then came the postboy with his tinkling team.

E'en such is life, my child, a constant moan-- A constant parting, evermore good-byes, Could not thy heart cling fast unto mine own?

Couldst thou not hold me steadfast with thine eyes?

LXXI.

All night, in the shadowy post-chaise, We drove through the winter weather.

We slept on each other's bosoms, We jested and laughed together.

But how were we both astonished, When morning bade us stir, Betwixt us two sat Cupid, The blindfold pa.s.senger.

LXXII.

Lord knows where the reckless creature Chose her transient stopping-place!

Swearing through the rainy weather, Everywhere I seek her trace.

I have been to every tavern Running up and running down, And of every surly waiter Made inquiries in the town.

Lo, I see her in yon window!

And she beckons--all is well!

Could I guess that you had chosen, Lady, such a grand hotel?