Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/108

86 THE SPRING ORACLE.

, prophetic bird so bright, Blossom-songster, cuckoo hight! In the fairest time of year, Dearest bird, oh! deign to hear What a youthful pair would pray; Do thou call, if hope they may; Thy cuck-oo, thy cuck-oo, Ever more cuck-oo, cuck-oo!

Hearest thou? A loving pair Fain would to the altar fare; Yes! a pair in happy youth, Full of virtue, full of truth. Is the hour not fixed by fate? Say, how long must they still wait? Hark! cuck-oo! hark! cuck-oo! Silent yet! for shame, cuck-oo!

'Tis not our fault, certainly! Only two years patient be! But if we ourselves please here, Will pa-pa-papas appear? Know that thou'lt more kindness do us, More thou'lt prophesy unto us. One! cuck-oo! Two! cuck-oo! Ever, ever, cuck-oo, cuck-oo, coo!

If we've calculated clearly, We have half a dozen nearly. If good promises we'll give, Wilt thou say how long we'll live? Truly, we'll confess to thee, We'd prolong it willingly.