Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 10.djvu/20

2 Good men suffer in flight, who now, with the rescued possessions, Leaving, alas! the Rhine's charming bank, that country of beauty, Come over here to us, and wander along through the windings Of this fruitful vale, a nook by fortune most favoured. Nobly, wife, hast thou done, in sending our son on kind errand, Bearing with him old linen, and something for eating and drinking.

All to dispense to the poor; for to give is the rich man's first duty; Oh, what a pace the boy drove! and how he managed the horses! Ay, and took for himself our carriage,—the new one; four persons Sit with comfort inside, and out on the dickey the driver; But all alone went he now, and how lightly it rolled round the corner; Sitting at ease beneath the gate of his house in the market, Thus, addressed his wife, the host of the Golden Lion.

Then made answer to him the prudent and sensible housewife: "Father, not willing am I to part with my linen, though worn out, For it is useful for much, and not to be purchased with money, If one should need its use. Yet to-day I gave, ay, and gladly, Many a better piece, made up for chemises and covers, Since I heard of old people and children going there naked.