WHY pacest thou, my neighbour fair, <br /> <br />The garden all alone? <br />If house and land thou seek'st to guard, <br /> <br />I'd thee as mistress own. <br /> <br />My brother sought the cellar-maid, <br /> <br />And suffered her no rest; <br />She gave him a refreshing draught, <br /> <br />A kiss, too, she impress'd. <br /> <br />My cousin is a prudent wight, <br /> <br />The cook's by him ador'd; <br />He turns the spit round ceaselessly, <br /> <br />To gain love's sweet reward. <br /> <br />We six together then began <br /> <br />A banquet to consume, <br />When lo! a fourth pair singing came, <br /> <br />And danced into the room. <br /> <br />Welcome were they,--and welcome too <br /> <br />Was a fifth jovial pair. <br />Brimful of news, and stored with tales <br /> <br />And jests both new and rare. <br /> <br />For riddles, spirit, raillery, <br /> <br />And wit, a place remain'd; <br />A sixth pair then our circle join'd, <br /> <br />And so that prize was gain'd. <br /> <br />And yet to make us truly blest, <br /> <br />One miss'd we, and full sore; <br />A true and tender couple came,-- <br /> <br />We needed them no more. <br /> <br />The social banquet now goes on, <br /> <br />Unchequer'd by alloy; <br />The sacred double-numbers then <br /> <br />Let us at once enjoy!<br /><br />Johann Wolfgang von Goethe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/anniversary-song/
