Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 10.djvu/21

Rh But wilt thou pardon me now? for thy chest, too, has been rifled, And, above all, I gave the dressing-gown — finest of cotton, Bright with Indian flowers, and lined with the finest of flannel; But it was thin, you know, and old, and quite out of fashion."

But upon that, with a smile, out spake the excellent landlord: "Still, am I sorry to lose it, — the old gown made of good cotton, — Real East Indian stuff — one will not get such another. Well! I wore it no more; for a man (so the world will now have it), Must at all hours of the day, in frock or dress-coat exhibit, And ever booted be; both slippers and caps are for- bidden."

"Look!" replied the good wife, "there are some al- ready returning, Who, with the rest, saw the train; yet surely it now must have passed by. See how dusty are all their shoes, how glowing their faces! And with his handkerchief each wipes off the sweat from his forehead. Never may I in the heat, for such a spectacle, so far Run and suffer! In truth the recital I find quite suffi- cient."

Then, observed the good father, in tones of great animation: "Seldom hath such weather for such a harvest been granted;