Category Archives: Franz Freiherr von Gaudy
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.
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 !
