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Translated by C. J. Hempel
RHINE FAITHFULLY, as the Swiss ought, I watch the Germanic frontier; | |
| But my gentle current allows the Gaul to leap lightly across. | |
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RHINE AND MOSELLE For years I have wooed the Lotharingian virgin, | |
| But no child has yet blessed this long union of hearts. | |
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DANUBE IN * * * My banks are inhabited here by a people with flashing eyes; | 5 |
| A feasting people; their roasts are ever revolving on spits. | |
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MAIN My castles are tumbling in ruins, but the race is | |
| For centuries ever the same; what a comfort this is to the heart! | |
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SAALE On my short course I greet a number of princes, of peoples; | |
| But the princes are good and the peoples are free. | 10 |
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ILM My banks are not rich, but my silent and quiet wave, | |
| As the current glides by, hears many an immortal song. | |
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PLEISSE My banks are so flat, my shallow bed has been drained | |
| By poets and writers in prose who slaked here their thirst. | |
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ELB Ye others, ye speak a mere jargon; among German rivers | 15 |
| I alone speak German, and speak it in Meissen, forsooth. | |
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SPREE My Ramler taught me to speak, my Cæsar furnished the matter; | |
| I took my mouth rather full, and have been silent since then. | |
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WESER Alas! I inspire no poet; I leave his genius barren; | |
| Suggest not a couplet even to the most willing heart. | 20 |
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SPRINGS OF * * * Here rivers and springs have a taste; what a strangely mysterious country! | |
| Among its inhabitants taste scarcely ever is found. | |
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PEGNITZ From sheer ennui hypochondria threatens to seize me; | |
| And I continue to flow simply because ’t is my wont. | |
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THE RIVERS OF * * * Truly we fare pretty well in the lands of these generous princes, | 25 |
| For their yoke is quite mild, and their burdens are light. | |
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SALZACH I rush from Juvavia’s mountains to salt the bishop’s domain, | |
| And afterward turn to Bavaria where the people are wanting in salt. | |
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THE ANONYMOUS RIVER To furnish food during Lent for the bishop’s Christian table, | |
| My Maker caused me to flow across his famished domain. | 30 |
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LES FLEUVES INDISCRETS Now, gossiping rivers, be silent, and show ye becoming discretion; | |
| Even Diderot’s sweetheart was prudent and less fond of talk. | |
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