Page:Tyrolean Elegies (c 1932).pdf/13

 Afterwards I read the letter— There ’tis on the shelf, If you know official German, Read it for yourself.

Bach advises as a doctor, That the raw Czech air Is not healthy, and ’tis better That I move from there;

That the Czech clime is too sultry, Full of steaming mists, And ill smelling regulations, Other ills he lists.

That is why he sent for me A carriage in full haste, That I travel as a state’s guest, With no time to waste.

And the gendarmes have instructions How to urge and nudge If in my known modest nature I’d refuse to budge.



What could I do in this instance? Since it was my way To obey the well-armed gendarmes And do as they’d say.