Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/260

226 What feelings through his seven senses shoot! But she looks on with careless eyes. I lick her soles, and kiss her shoes, As gently as a bear well may; Softly I rise, and with a clever ruse Leap on her knee.—On a propitious day She suffers it; my ears then tickles she, And hits me a hard blow in wanton play; I growl with new-born ecstasy; Then speaks she in a sweet vain jest, I wot; "Allons tout doux! eh! la menotte! Et faites serviteur Comme un joli seigneur." Thus she proceeds with sport and glee; Hope fills the oft-deluded beast; Yet if one moment he would lazy be, Her fondness all at once hath ceased.

She doth a flask of balsam fire possess, Sweeter than honey bees can make, One drop of which she'll on her finger take, When softened by his love and faithfulness. Wherewith her monster's raging thirst to slake; Then leaves me to myself, and flies at last, And I, unbound, yet prisoned fast By magic, follow in her train. Seek for her, tremble, fly again. The hapless creature thus tormenteth she, Regardless of his pleasure or his woe; Ha! oft half-opened does she leave the door for me, And sideways looks to learn if I will fly or no; And I—O gods! your hands alone Can end the spell that's o'er me thrown; Free me, and gratitude my heart will fill; And yet from heaven ye send me down no aid— Not quite in vain doth life my limbs pervade: I feel it! Strength is left me still.