“COME with me, thou charming maiden!
Be my love and come with me.”
‘Wherefore play with words so foolish?
That can never, never be;
I had rather in the tavern
Bear the golden cup, than ever,—
Ever promise to be thine.’
“I am the young tavern-keeper,
So thou wilt indeed be mine.”
‘Wherefore play with words so foolish?
No such fate will e’er befall;
In the coffee-house I’d rather
Serve, envelop’d in my shawl,
Rather than be thine at all.’
“But I am the coffee boiler,
Thee, my maiden, will I call.”
‘Wherefore play with words so foolish?
That can never, never be;
Rather o’er the field I’ll wander,
Changed into a quail, than ever,
Ever give myself to thee.’
“But I am a vigorous sportsman,
And thou wilt belong to me.”
‘Play not, youth! with words so foolish,
That can never, never be;
Rather to a fish I’d change me,
Dive me deep beneath the sea,
Rather than belong to thee.’
“But I am the finest network,
Which into the sea I’ll cast;
Mine thou art, and mine thou shalt be,—
Yes! thou must be mine at last;
Be it here, or be it there,
Mine thou must be every where.”