Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/328

294 Mankind deem incense to excel Each other earthly thing, So he that cannot bear its smell, No incense e'er should bring.

With unmoved face by thee at least To dolls is homage given; If not obstructed by the priest, The scent mounts up to heaven.

, who is so much esteemed, And who is worthy of all honour, Saw Beauty his superior deemed By folks who loved to gaze upon her; At this he was most sorely vexed. Then came Sir Breath (long known as fit To represent the cause of wit), Beginning, rudely, I admit, To treat the lady with a text. To this she hearkened not at all, But hastened to his principal: "None are so wise, they say, as you,— Is not the world enough for two? If you are obstinate, good-bye! If wise, to love me you will try, For be assured the world can ne'er Give birth to a more handsome pair."

daughters were by beauty reared, Wit had but dull sons for his lot; So for a season it appeared Beauty was constant, Wit was not.