Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/141

Rh "Quick! haste to the mound, and awhile there wait, I'll soon return, and all will be straight. The mound's close by, and safe from the wet; But take my goat, too, my darling pet!"

She places the mother safe on the shore; Fair Susan then turns toward the flood once more. "Oh, whither? Oh, whither? The breadth fast grows, Both here and there the water o'erflows. Wilt venture, thou rash one, the billows to brave?"

Fair Susan returns by the way she had tried, The waves roar around, but she turns not aside; She reaches the mound and the neighbour straight, But for her and the children, alas, too late!

The foaming abyss gapes wide, and whirls round, The women and children are borne to the ground; The horn of the goat by one is seized fast, But, ah, they all must perish at last! Fair Susan still stands there, untouched by the wave! The youngest, the noblest, oh, who now will save! Fair Susan still stands there, as bright as a star, But, alas! all hope, all assistance is far. The foaming waters around her roar. To save her no bark pushes off from the shore. Her gaze once again she lifts up to heaven, Then gently away by the flood she is driven.