Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/186

160 Thou hast ever served as groom, So fulfil my pleasure, sir! On two legs now stand, With a head on top; Waterpail in hand, Haste, and do not stop!

Wander, wander Onward lightly, So that rightly Flow the torrent, And with teeming waters yonder In the bath discharge its current!

See! he's running to the shore, And has now attained the pool, And with lightning speed once more Comes here with his bucket full! Back he then repairs; See how swells the tide! How each pail he bears Straightway is supplied!

Stop, for, lo! All the measure Of thy treasure Now is right!— Ah, I see it! woe, oh, woe! I forget the word of might.

Ah, the word whose sound can straight Make him what he was before! Ah, he runs with nimble gait! Would thou wert a broom once more! Streams renewed for ever Quickly bringeth he; River after river Rusheth on poor me.