THE SECOND DANCE-SONG 329
Now up ! Now over it ! Alas ! In springing I fell myself over the stick !
Oh, look at me lying here, thou tomboy, how for grace I pray ! Fain would I go with thee on a much sweeter way !
The way of love through bushes many-coloured, still, and dim ! Or there along the lake, where the goldfish dance and swim !
Thou art weary now? Yonder there are evening reds and sheep ! When the shepherds play the flute, js it not goodly then to sleep ?
Thou art sore wearied ? I carry thee there. Let thine arms now sink ! And if thou art thirsty, I have something. But thy mouth liketh it not to drink !
Oh, this cursed swift pliant snake and witch hiding at every turn ! Whither art thou gone ? But in my face I feel from thy hand red spots and double blotches burn !
I am weary indeed of being ever a stupid shepherd for thee ? Thou witch, if I have hitherto sung unto thee, thou shalt now cry unto me !
Unto the rhythm of my whip shalt thou now dance and cry ! Did I remember my whip ? Ay ! '
��Then life answered me thus, keeping both her neat ears shut :
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