I AM the bard known far and wide,
The travell’d rat-catcher beside;
A man most needful to this town,
So glorious through its old renown.
However many rats I see,
How many weasels there may be,
I cleanse the place from ev’ry one,
All needs must helter-skelter run.
Sometimes the bard so full of cheer
As a child-catcher will appear,
Who e’en the wildest captive brings,
Whene’er his golden tales he sings.
However proud each boy in heart,
However much the maidens start,
I bid the chords sweet music make,
And all must follow in my wake.
Sometimes the skilful bard ye view
In the form of maiden-catcher too;
For he no city enters e’er,
Without effecting wonders there.
However coy may be each maid,
However the women seem afraid,
Yet all will love-sick be ere long
To sound of magic lute and song.
[Da Capo.] 1803.*
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
More Poetry from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Poems based on Topics: Man, Woman, Place, Running- Hermann And Dorothea - VI. Klio (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Poems)
- Hermann And Dorothea - IX. Urania (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Poems)
- Hermann And Dorothea - II. Terpsichore (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Poems)
- Hermann And Dorothea - IV. Euterpe (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Poems)
- Hermann And Dorothea - V. Polyhymnia (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Poems)
- Hermann And Dorothea - I. Kalliope (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Place Poems, Woman Poems, Running PoemsBased on Keywords: chords, coy, enters, wildest, whene, rats, needful, skilful, love-sick, helter-skelter, travell