Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/127

Rh Free from trouble and vexation, I a landlord's business bought. There I've done with all due ardour All that duty ordered me; Each one asked me for the larder, And there was no scarcity.

Surely we for wine may languish! Let the bumper then go round! For all sighs and groans of anguish Thou to-day in joy hast drowned.

Each should thus make proclamation Of what he did well to-day! That's the match whose conflagration Should inflame our tuneful lay. Let it be our precept ever To admit no waverer here! For to act the good endeavour, None but rascals meek appear.

Surely we for wine may languish! Let the bumper then go round! For all sighs and groans of anguish We have now in rapture drowned.

Let each merry minstrel enter, He's right welcome to our hall! 'Tis but with the self-tormentor That we are not liberal;