Category Archives: Franz Freiherr von Gaudy


Franz Freiherr von Gaudy: “The Cook’s Elegy”

Excerpt, “The Spirit of German Poetry: A Series of translations from the German Poets, with Critical and Biographical Notices. ”  Translated by Joseph Gostick. London: William Smith, 113 Fleet Street. 1845.

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THE COOK’S ELEGY

.

One Sunday only shines for me,

In two long weeks of drudgery,

When will be snapt the iron yoke

In which the toiling cook must sigh ?

And now, when pots are all cleaned out,

And pans and skillets burnished bright,

It rains down like a water-spout,

And not a cab will come in sight!

.

My new dress should come out to-day—

(And mistress praised the bonnet’s taste)

(One must submit to fashion’s way)

So very slender is the waist !—

So buxomly the sleeves stand out !

(Rose-colour suits me well, they say)

Contented but a leaf to be

But down it pours a water-spout,

And not a cab will come this way !

.

Is ” Fair-hair ” waiting in the park ?

He asked me for a rendezvous—

Labour bears his burden singing;

” Till nine o’clock,” declared the spark,

” I promise I will Wait for you !”

For such a gold-fish, none can doubt

‘Tis worth one’s while to spread a net;—

But down it pours a water-spout,

And not a cab has come up yet!

.

I know he ‘s rich, (0 cruel rain !)

That fine cravat ! the watch of gold!—

The eye-glass, with its silver chain—

Let him propose—I ‘ll make him hold!

He’s waiting there without a doubt,

And here am I, kept waiting too !

And still it pours a water-spout,

And not a cab will come in view !

.

Find his labour’s richest prize.

The king of spades ! I know he ‘s mine !

And I shall be a wealthy dame—

Good heavens ! the clock is striking nine !

And there is mistress calling out!

(She always does—’tis just for spite!)

The rain falls like a water-spout,

And not a cab will come in sight !

 

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