Part 32 (1/2)

”If this is always sure to be the case,”

Hans cried, and cut a very sorry face, ”He'll never do to draw a coach or wagon; Let's see if we can't tame the fiery dragon By means of heavy work and little food.”

And so the plan was tried.--But what ensued?

The handsome beast, before three days had pa.s.sed, Wasted to nothing. ”Stay! I see at last!”

Cried Hans. ”Be quick, you fellows! yoke him now With my most st.u.r.dy ox before the plough.”

No sooner said than done. In union queer Together yoked were soon winged horse and steer.

The griffin pranced with rage, and his remaining might Exerted to resume his old-accustomed flight.

'Twas all in vain--his partner stepped with circ.u.mspection, And Phoebus' haughty steed must follow his direction; Until at last, by long resistance spent, When strength his limbs no longer was controlling, The n.o.ble creature, with affliction bent, Fell to the ground, and in the dust lay rolling.

”Accursed beast!” at length with fury mad Hans shouted, while he soundly plied the lash,-- ”Even for ploughing, then, thou art too bad!-- That fellow was a rogue to sell such tras.h.!.+”

Ere yet his heavy blows had ceased to fly, A brisk and merry youth by chance came by.

A lute was tinkling in his hand, And through his light and flowing hair Was twined with grace a golden band.

”Whither, my friend, with that strange pair?”

From far he to the peasant cried.

”A bird and ox to one rope tied-- Was such a team e'er heard of, pray?

Thy horse's worth I'd fain essay; Just for one moment lend him me,-- Observe, and thou shalt wonders see!”

The hippogriff was loosened from the plough, Upon his back the smiling youth leaped now; No sooner did the creature understand That he was guided by a master-hand, Than 'ginst his bit he champed, and upward soared While lightning from his flaming eyes outpoured.

No longer the same being, royally A spirit, ay, a G.o.d, ascended he, Spread in a moment to the stormy wind His n.o.ble wings, and left the earth behind, And, ere the eye could follow him, Had vanished in the heavens dim.

KNOWLEDGE.

Knowledge to one is a G.o.ddess both heavenly and high,--to another Only an excellent cow, yielding the b.u.t.ter he wants.

THE POETRY OF LIFE.

”Who would himself with shadows entertain, Or gild his life with lights that s.h.i.+ne in vain, Or nurse false hopes that do but cheat the true?-- Though with my dream my heaven should be resigned-- Though the free-pinioned soul that once could dwell In the large empire of the possible, This workday life with iron chains may bind, Yet thus the mastery o'er ourselves we find, And solemn duty to our acts decreed, Meets us thus tutored in the hour of need, With a more sober and submissive mind!

How front necessity--yet bid thy youth Shun the mild rule of life's calm sovereign, truth.”

So speakest thou, friend, how stronger far than I; As from experience--that sure port serene-- Thou lookest;--and straight, a coldness wraps the sky, The summer glory withers from the scene, Scared by the solemn spell; behold them fly, The G.o.dlike images that seemed so fair!

Silent the playful Muse--the rosy hours Halt in their dance; and the May-breathing flowers Fall from the sister-graces' waving hair.

Sweet-mouthed Apollo breaks his golden lyre, Hermes, the wand with many a marvel rife;-- The veil, rose-woven, by the young desire With dreams, drops from the hueless cheeks of life.

The world seems what it is--a grave! and love Casts down the bondage wound his eyes above, And sees!--He sees but images of clay Where he dreamed G.o.ds; and sighs--and glides away.

The youngness of the beautiful grows old, And on thy lips the bride's sweet kiss seems cold; And in the crowd of joys--upon thy throne Thou sittest in state, and hardenest into stone.

TO GOETHE,

ON HIS PRODUCING VOLTAIRE'S ”MAHOMET” ON THE STAGE.