amber,
Like the songs by which the minstrel
Still lives on through after ages;
And the empty plates bore witness
That a great and healthy hunger
Lately here had been appeased.

Now the Pastor raised a brimming
Jug of wine, then filled the glasses
And began, his guest accosting:
"After supper 'tis the duty
Of the host, his guest to question:
Who he is, from whence he cometh?
Where his country and his parents?
In old Homer I have read oft
That the King of the Phaeacians
Thus the noble hero questioned;
And I hope you can relate me
Just as many strange adventures
As Ulysses. Take your comfort,
Seat yourself in that warm corner,
Yonder by the stove, which is a
Hatching nest of solid thinking;
'Tis according to our custom
The narrator's seat of honour.
And I'll listen with attention.
Still the old man hears with pleasure
Of the storms of youth's wild passions."

Then the young man: "I am sorry
Not to be a proven hero,
Neither have I conquered Ilium,
Nor have blinded Polyphemus,
Neither have I ever thus far
Met with any Royal Princess,
Who when spreading out the linen
Felt for me a soft compassion.
But with pleasure I obey you."
On the bench he took his seat now
By the stove all covered over
With glazed tiles much ornamented.
From the stove streamed out warm comfort,
And the Pastor kindly told him
To stretch out his weary legs there.
He, however, would not do so;
Took a swallow of the red wine,
And began to tell his story:

"Know, my name is Werner Kirchhof;
I was born and grew to manhood,
In the Pfalz, at Heidelberg."

Old Heidelberg, thou beauty.
With many honours crowned;
Along the Rhine and Neckar,
No town like thee is found.

Thou town of merry fellows,
Of wisdom full and wine,
Clear flows thy placid river,
Blue eyes therein do shine.

When from the south is spreading
Spring's smile o'er hill and lea,
He out of blossoms weaveth
A bridal robe for thee.

Thee as a bride I fondly
Enshrine within my heart;
Like early love's sweet echoes,
Thy name doth joy impart.

Become life's cares