And yet this German futurity’s smell
Was infinitely stronger
Than aught that my nose could e’er have conceived—
In fact I could bear it no longer.—
My senses I lost, and on opening my eyes
Once more, I found myself sitting
Beside the goddess, and leaning my head
On her breast, in a manner befitting.
Her look it glisten’d, her mouth it glow’d,
Her nostrils twitched, with bacchantic
Excitement she clasp’d the poet, and sang
With ecstasy fearful and frantic:
“Stay with me in Hamburg, I love thee full well,
“And we’ll eat and drink with gladness
“The oysters and wine of present times,
“Forgetting the future’s sadness.
“Put on the cover, for fear lest the stench
“Should all our pleasure cloud over;
“I love thee no German poet had e’er
“A more affectionate lover!
“I kiss thee, and I feel myself now
“By thy genius quite inspired;
“My spirit by a wondrous kind
“Of paroxysm is fired.
“I feel as though I heard in the street
“The watchmen singing in chorus;
“’Tis wedding music and bridal songs,
“Sweet friend, that are rising o’er us.
“The attendants on horseback also approach,
“With their torches flaring brightly;
“The torch-dance they dance in dignified wise,
“And hop and spring about lightly.
“The noble and worshipful Senate is there,
“And the elders according to station;
“The burgomaster clears his throat,
“Preparing a lengthy oration.
“In glittering uniforms also appear
“The whole of the corps diplomatic,
“In the name of the neighbouring states to present
“Congratulations emphatic.