I AM now,—what joy to hear it!—Of the old magician rid;
And henceforth shall ev'ry
Do whate'er by me is bid; I have watch'd with rigour All he used to do, And will now with vigour Work my wonders too. Wander, wander Onward lightly, So that rightly Flow the torrent, And with teeming waters yonder In the bath discharge its current!
And now come, thou well-worn broom,
And thy wretched form bestir;
Thou hast ever served as groom,
So fulfil my pleasure, sir! On two legs now stand, With a head on top; Waterpail in hand, Haste, and do not stop! Wander, wander Onward lightly, So that rightly Flow the torrent, And with teeming waters yonder In the bath discharge its current!
See! he's running to the shore,
And has now attain'd the pool,
And with lightning speed once
Comes here, with his bucket full! Back he then repairs; See how swells the tide! How each pail he bears Straightway is supplied! Stop, for, lo! All the measure Of thy treasure Now is right!— Ah,
I see it! woe, oh woe! I forget the word of might.
Ah, the word whose sound can
Make him what he was before!
Ah, he runs with nimble gait!
Would thou wert a broom once more! Streams renew'd for ever Quickly bringeth he; River after river Rusheth on poor me! Now no longer Can I bear him; I will snare him, Knavish sprite! Ah, my terror waxes stronger! What a look! what fearful
Oh, thou villain child of hell!
Shall the house through thee be
Floods I see that wildly swell,
O'er the threshold gaining ground. Wilt thou not obey, Oh, thou broom accurs'd? Be thou still I pray, As thou wert at first! Will enough Never please thee? I will seize thee, Hold thee fast, And thy nimble wood so tough, With my sharp axe split at last.
See, once more he hastens back!
Now, oh Cobold, thou shalt catch it!
I will rush upon his track;
Crashing on him falls my hatchet. Bravely done, indeed! See, he's cleft in twain! Now from care I'm freed, And can breathe again. Woe, oh woe! Both the parts, Quick as darts, Stand on end, Servants of my dreaded foe! Oh, ye gods protection send!
And they run! and wetter
Grow the steps and grows the hail.
Lord and master hear me call!
Ever seems the flood to fill, Ah, he's coming! see, Great is my dismay! Spirits raised by me Vainly would I lay! "To the side Of the room Hasten, broom, As of old! Spirits I have ne'er untied Save to act as they are told."
