Thrice put the bark from off the strand,
In spite of whirlpool, storm, and wave;
Thrice safely was he seen to land.

Till all were rescued from the grave.

But scarce had he landed the last on the shore,
When the last of the pillars fell toppling o'er.

Who is the man so good and brave?
O let, my song, his name be told!
The peasant risked his life to save,

But perhaps 'twas done but for the gold?
Perchance, if the Count had spared his meed,
The peasant had risked not his life in the deed.

"Here," cried the Count, "my noble friend,
"Is the reward thou well hast won!"
Say, must we not the count commend?

By Heavens, yes, 'twas nobly done!

But thoughts more sublime and more noble revealed The heart that the peasant's kirtle concealed.

"My life I've ne'er for money sold.

"I'm poor, 'tis true, yet want no more.

"Give to the keeper there your gold

"Who's lost his wealth and all his store!"

Thus speaking, with accents that gushed from the heart,

The peasant turned from them in haste to depart.

Song of the brave, how thrills thy tone,
As when the organ's music rolls.
No gold rewards, but song alone,
Such deeds of brave and noble souls.
Now glory to God that my voice I can raise
To sing to the good and gallant man's praise!

DIE SCHATZGRÄBER.

Ein Winzer, der am Tode lag,

Rief seine Kinder an und sprach:

,,In unserm Weinberg liegt ein Schatz.

Grabt nur darnach!" ,,An welchem Platz ?" Schrie Alles laut den Vater an.

Grabt nur!.." O weh! da starb der Mann.

Kaum war der Alte beigeschafft,

So grub man nach aus Leibeskraft,
Mit Hacke, Karst und Spaten ward
Der Weinberg um und um gescharrt.
Da war kein Kloss, der ruhig blieb;
Man warf die Erde gar durch's Sieb,
Und zog die Harken kreuz und quer
Nach jedem Steinchen hin und her;
Allein da ward kein Schatz verspürt,
Und Jeder hielt sich angeführt.

Doch kaum erschien das nächste Jahr,
So nahm man mit Erstaunen wahr,
Dass jede Rebe dreifach trug.
Da wurden erst die Söhne klug,
Und gruben nun Jahr ein Jahr aus
Des Schatzes immer mehr heraus.

Ihr Leutchen, Schätzegräberei
Ist just nicht immer Narrethei.

THE TREASURE DIGGERS.

A vintner, at the point of death, Spake to his sons with parting breath; "A treasure in our vineyard lies.

"Dig for it!" "Say, where is the prize?" Aloud they to their father cried.

"Dig, dig!" he said, when lo! he died.

Ere in his grave he long had lain,

They searched and dug with might and main.
With spade, and mattock, and with hoe
The vineyard o'er and o'er they throw.
No clod escaped their zealous toil,

E'en through a sieve they passed the soil,
And drew the rakes across, around;
For every stone upon the ground.

But of the treasure saw no trace,

Each thought 'twas but a wild goose chace.

But scarce the sun its yearly round
Had made, when they with wonder found
Each vine-tree bore a threefold prize.
Then grew at length the children wise,
And, year on year revolving round,
Dug greater treasures from the ground.

Good folks, to dig the earth for treasure
Is sometimes no such foolish measure.

The Poetry of Germany.

9

HÖLTY.

FRÜHLINGSLIED.

Der Schnee zerrinnt,
Der Mai beginnt,

Die Blüthen keimen
Auf Gartenbäumen,
Und Vögelschall

Tönt überall.

Pflückt einen Kranz,

Und haltet Tanz
Auf grünen Auen,
Ihr schönen Frauen;
Pflückt einen Kranz
Und haltet Tanz.

Wer weiss wie bald

Die Glocke schallt,

Da wir des Maien

Uns nicht mehr freuen,

Wer weiss wie bald

Sie, leider, schallt.

Drum werdet froh,
Gott will es so,
Der uns dies Leben
Zur Lust gegeben,
Geniesst der Zeit,
Die Gott verleiht.

HÖLTY.

SPRING SONG.

The snow melts fast,
May comes at last,
Now shoots each spray

Forth blossoms gay,
The warbling bird

Around is heard.

Come, twine a wreath,

And on the heath

The dance prepare,

Ye maidens fair!

Come, twine a wreath,

Dance on the heath!

Who can foretell
The tolling bell;
When we with May
No more shall play?
Canst thou foretell
The coming knell?

Rejoice, rejoice!
So spake his voice
Who gave us birth
For joy on earth.
God gives us time,
Enjoy its prime !