Page:Works of Heinrich Heine 01.djvu/136

120 Then he came to another flock, and there sat another shepherd, whom he also questioned. This one answers wisely, and Sir Vonved takes a gold ring and puts it on the shepherd's arm. Then he rides further, and comes to Tyge Nold, and slays him with his twelve sons. And, further—

With his horse he rode and ran,

Sir Vonved, the young nobleman,

O'er rocks can ride and rivers swim,

But found no man to talk with him.

Sir Vonved, look about thee!

He came unto the third, and there

Sat an old man with silver hair:

"List thou, good shepherd, with thy herd,

I deem thou'lt wisely speak a word."

Sir Vonved, look about thee!

"Oh, what is rounder than a wheel?

Where is the merriest Christmas meal?

Where goes the sun across the sky?

And where do the feet of a dead man lie?"

Sir Vonved, look about thee!

"What filleth up the valleys all?

What garb is best in royal hall?

What crieth louder than the crane?

And what is whiter than the swan?"

Sir Vonved, look about thee!

"Who wears his beard on the back, or in?

Who bears his nose beneath his chin?

And what is blacker than a bolt?

Or faster than a frightened colt?"

Sir Vonved, look about thee!