The lump of gold: and other poems By Charles Mackay |
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| XIX. | XIX. PROFESSOR SCHLAFHAUBE, OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HEIDELBERG. |
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 | The lump of gold: and other poems |  |
197
XIX. PROFESSOR SCHLAFHAUBE, OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HEIDELBERG.
A PORTRAIT FROM THE LIFE.
Lazily runs the tide of human life—
There is no effort in our German land—
Of what avail are ceaseless moil and strife?
Is there not time? Why move, if we can stand?
There is no object the wide world can show,
Worth English hurry, sweat, and sore distress;
Let the moons wane and wax, and come and go,
And let us Germans doze in happiness!
There is no effort in our German land—
Of what avail are ceaseless moil and strife?
Is there not time? Why move, if we can stand?
There is no object the wide world can show,
Worth English hurry, sweat, and sore distress;
Let the moons wane and wax, and come and go,
And let us Germans doze in happiness!
Why should we turn and spin in frantic haste
When we have seventy years to live and dream?
Through cloud and vapour speed is perilous waste,—
Anchor the ship, there's fog upon the stream!
And let us sit and smoke the live-long day,
With deep-drawn whiffs, and drink the fattening beer;
Gazing on earth, or on the wreathlets grey
That curl above the pipes we love so dear!
When we have seventy years to live and dream?
Through cloud and vapour speed is perilous waste,—
Anchor the ship, there's fog upon the stream!
198
With deep-drawn whiffs, and drink the fattening beer;
Gazing on earth, or on the wreathlets grey
That curl above the pipes we love so dear!
Pipes! blessed pipes! There were no good on earth
Without tobacco. Give us that, and peace,
A little sunshine, and the children's mirth;
We'll ask no more! And if our wealth increase
Like growing corn;—why let it! We are glad!
But trouble us, O men of other climes,
No more with whistling steam, and efforts mad,
That make us languish for the ancient times.
Without tobacco. Give us that, and peace,
A little sunshine, and the children's mirth;
We'll ask no more! And if our wealth increase
Like growing corn;—why let it! We are glad!
But trouble us, O men of other climes,
No more with whistling steam, and efforts mad,
That make us languish for the ancient times.
Perish the Sultan! What is he to us?
Let Russia flourish! Why should we complain?
Are we the avengers? Work thy pleasure, Russ!
And let us smoke and sleep—and smoke again!
Firm as a rock let Germany endure;
Not like a rocket, blazing from the west;
Japan in Europe—slow, but very sure;—
Oh, give us pipes and peace, and let us rest!
Let Russia flourish! Why should we complain?
Are we the avengers? Work thy pleasure, Russ!
And let us smoke and sleep—and smoke again!
199
Not like a rocket, blazing from the west;
Japan in Europe—slow, but very sure;—
Oh, give us pipes and peace, and let us rest!
Dresden, April, 1855.
| The lump of gold: and other poems | |