Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/319

Rh We Lutheran children used to dwell, By songs and sermons taught as well The Catholic cling-clang in truth Sounded more pleasing to our youth, For all that we encountered there To us seemed varied, joyous, fair. As children, monkeys, and mankind To ape each other are inclined, We soon, the time to while away, A game at priests resolved to play. Their aprons all our sisters lent For copes, which gave us great content; And handkerchiefs embroidered o'er, Instead of stoles we also wore; Gold paper, whereon beasts were traced, The bishop's brow as mitre graced.

Through house and garden thus in state We strutted early, strutted late; Repeating, with all proper unction, Incessantly each holy function, The best was wanting to the game; We knew that a sonorous ring Was here a most important thing; But fortune to our rescue came, For on the ground a halter lay; We were delighted, and at once Made it a bell-rope for the nonce, And kept it moving all the day; In turns each sister and each brother Acted as sexton to another; All helped to swell the joyous throng; The whole proceeded swimmingly, And since no actual bell had we, We all in chorus sang, Ding dong! ·········