POEMS OF GOETHE
17
Alas! no fancies such as these
E'er crossed the dear child's thoughts.
I see 'tis but the evening breeze
That with the curtain sports.
DECLARATION OF WAR
Oh, would I resembled
The country girls fair,
Who rosy-red ribbons
And yellow hats wear!
To believe I was pretty
I thought was allowed;
In the town I believed it
When by the youth vowed.
Now that spring hath returned,
All my joys disappear;
The girls of the country
Have lured him from here.
To change dress and figure,
Was needful, I found,
My bodice is longer,
My petticoat round.
My hat now is yellow,
My bodice like snow;
The clover to sickle
With others I go.
Something pretty, ere long
Midst the troop he explores;
The eager boy signs me
To go within doors.
