Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/383

Rh At the door of thy garden. Thou smilingly saidst then: "Alexis! Say, are yon boisterous crew going thy comrades to be? Foreign coasts wilt thou visit, and precious merchandise purchase. Ornaments meet for the rich matrons who dwell in the town; Bring me, also, I pray thee, a light chain; gladly I'll pay thee, Oft have I wished to possess some such trinket as that." There I remained, and asked, as merchants are wont, with precision After the form and the weight which thy commission should have. Modest, indeed, was the price thou didst name! I meanwhile was gazing On thy neck, which deserved ornaments worn but by queens. Loudly now rose the cry from the ship; then kindly thou spakest:— "Take, I entreat thee, some fruit out of the garden, my friend! Take the ripest oranges, figs of the whitest; the ocean Beareth no fruit, and, in truth, 'tis not produced by each land." So I entered in. Thou pluckedst the fruit from the branches, And the burden of gold was in thine apron upheld. Oft did I cry, enough! But fairer fruits were still falling Into thy hand as I spake, ever obeying thy touch. Presently didst thou reach the arbour; there lay there a basket, Sweet blooming myrtle-trees waved, as we drew nigh, o'er our heads.