“O, Sympathy’s mysterious thrill!
“He never saw her, but thinks of her still;
“Oft tramps he round in the moonlight fair,
“And sighs: ‘O were I a bird of the air!’
“His body alone is in Siam, his mind
“In France with Bianca thou’lt certainly find;
“And yet this parting of body and soul
“Must greatly injure his health as a whole.
“From the daintiest morsels revolts his belly,
“He cares for nothing but vermicelli;
“He’s coughing already, and fast grows thinner;
“His yearning will kill him, or I’m a sinner.
“If thou wouldst save him, preserve him alive,
“His return to the animal world contrive,
“O King, then send the renown’d invalid
“Direct to Paris, with utmost speed.
“When he on the spot in the actual sight
“Of the beautiful lady can take delight—
“Of her who the prototype was of his dream,
“He’ll soon be cured of his sadness extreme.
“There where his mistress’s glances fall,
“His spirit’s torments will vanish all;
“Her smiles will the last of the shadows efface
“Which in his bosom had taken their place.
“And then her voice, like a magical tune,
“Will cure his distracted mind full soon;
“The flaps of his ears he’ll joyfully raise,
“And feel as he felt in youthful days.
“All things are so very enchanting and pretty
“On the banks of the Seine, in Paris’ fair city!
“How thy elephant there will civilized be,
“Amusing himself right merrily!
“But most of all, O monarch, take care
“That plenty of money he has with him there,
“And a letter of credit, all charges to meet,
“On Rothschild Frères in the Rue Lafitte,
“For a million of ducats or thereabouts;
“Then Baron Rothschild will harbour no doubts
“About him, but say with an accent mellow:
“‘The elephant’s really a capital fellow!’”