Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/130

 selves with my gloomy and melancholy face, which they judged too unfashionable to appear at a fair. They would not, however, speak to me, before I had wished them a good morning; when, with great avidity they thronged around me, to recount the amusements and wonders of the fair. At last, the men almost disputed with each other, who should Have first the pleasure to treat me at the next wine-house.

I could not resist their sincere invitations, and entered several houses on the town-road, to drink, they said, to the pleasures of the fair. The wanton sports of their youths and their engaging brunettes, made my heart Heavier at every step. "How happy," exclaimed I, "could he be, that would live amongst you."

"Why don t you, Sennor?" replied a strong, healthy young peasant, who was con ducting his sprightly confort by the arm. "Why not pick out a wife among our girls? None would refuse you, I am sure."

"But who would help me to do your work my good fellow?"