Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/335

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The road likewise of trees was bare, The sun shone bright with ardent glare, So that great price, in plain thus stretched, A drink of water would have fetched. The Lord, walking before them all, Let unawares a cherry fall. St. Peter ate it, then and there, As though a golden apple it were. He relished much the luscious fruit. The Lord, whenever time would suit, Another cherry forward sent, For which St. Peter swiftly bent. The Lord thus often and again After the cherries made him strain. When this had lasted quite awhile, The Lord spoke thus with cheerful smile: "If thou hadst stirred when first I bade thee, More comfortable 'twould have made thee; Whoe'er small things too much disdains, For smaller ones takes greater pains."

 THE WANDERER.

woman, may God bless thee, Thee, and the sucking infant Upon thy breast! Let me, against this rocky wall, Neath the elm-tree's shadow, Lay aside my burden, Near thee take my rest. 