Part 21 (1/2)

The wind without had laid itself, but the snow-flakes chased each other rapidly through the air, and a deep snow covered the silent streets. In a few moments the merry home-goers were clad in a thick covering of snow; and being once thus besnowed, they separated themselves into two parties, and began to bombard each other with s...o...b..a.l.l.s. One party prevailed and put the other into flight. The fleers espied a Bauer's sledge; one jumped in, the other two seized its pole, and thus rushed rapidly along the Hauptstra.s.se, pursued by the other party with s...o...b..a.l.l.s. When they now reached one of the princ.i.p.al squares, the madcap chase came to an end. The sledge remained standing in the square to the amazement of the Bauer, who the next morning, after much hunting, found it there.

Now sounded a general ”good-night,” and every one hastened home.

Hoffmann reached his chamber, which filled him with that feeling of desolation, so often felt in places which a moment before were all alive with the presence of those we love. But the delightful consciousness of having enjoyed an evening to the uttermost, the still more delightful consciousness of having afforded such an one to his friends, absorbed all other thoughts. He called to mind again the good wishes of his friends, and his last thoughts in the night were, ”May G.o.d, if he denies me every thing else, never, to my life's end, deprive me of the sense which renders me capable of enjoying worthily such delightful hours.”

DRINKING SONG.

Ye brothers, when no more I'm drinking, But faint with gout and palsy lie, Exhausted on the sick bed sinking, Believe it then, my end is nigh.

And die I this day or to-morrow, My testament's already made; My funeral from your care I'll borrow, But without splendour or parade.

And as for coffin, that remanding, A Rhenish cask for it shall pa.s.s; Instead of lemon placed each hand in, Give me a brimfull Deckel-gla.s.s.

Into the cellar then convey me, Where I have drunk whole hogsheads dry; With head unto the tap then lay me, My feet towards the wall may lie.

And when you're to the grave me bringing, As follow all then, man by man; For G.o.d's sake let no bell be ringing, And clinking gla.s.ses be your plan.

Upon my gravestone be inscribed, This man was born, grew, drank, and died,-- And now he rests where he imbibed In lifelong joy, the purple tide.

THE POPE.

A lordly life the Pope doth hold, He lives on absolution gold; The best of wines still drinketh he; The Pope, the Pope I fain would be.

But no! 'tis but a wretched lot, A German maiden loves him not.

Alone in his great house lives he-- The Pope, the Pope, I would not be.

The Sultan lives full blithe and crowse, He liveth in a golden house, With lovely ladies liveth he-- The Sultan then I fain would be.

But no! he is a wretched man, He liveth by the Alcoran.

No drop of wine may drink--not he; The Sultan then I will not be.

Their separate fortunes, howe'er fine, I'd wish not, for one moment, mine, But would to this right glad agree, Now Pope, now Sulta.n.u.s to be.

Come, lovely maiden, yield a kiss, For this my reign as Sultan is.

And faithful brother send a fee, For now I choose the Pope to be.

DRINKING SONG.

Brothers! in this place of festive meeting, Let us every trouble now defeating, G.o.d, in goodness, hath us thus combined; Drink here with the friend of honest mind.

There, where nectar flows, Sweetest pleasure blows, E'en as flowers when the spring hath s.h.i.+ned.

Golden time! oh revel we it through, Hanging on the friend's devoted breast; From the friend a blissful warmth we'll borrow; Of our pleasure cool in wine the zest.

In the grapes pure blood, Drink we German mood, Feel we of a higher strength possessed.

Sip ye not when Bacchus' fountain floweth, With full beakers to lips faintly bent; He who life by drops yet only knoweth, Knoweth not of life the full intent.

Lift it to thy mouth, Drain it in thy drouth, For a G.o.d from heaven it hath sent

On the spirit's light accustomed pinion, In the world the youngling plunges bold; Friends to win him, as his best dominion, And whom fast and faster he will hold.