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Farewell
Eduard Mörike
Translation: Anton Stabentheiner © 2008
Not knocking, a man visits in the evenings me,
says "hi, it's my pleasure, I'm your referee!"
Right away he takes the light,
views my shadow, says "all right",
holds it far and brings it close,
says "hey, what is that, man, with your nose,
viewed from the side, oh I get weak,
you surely admit, an ugly beak".
I was upset - not on earth nor in space,
I'd expected an excrescence like this in my face.
The man talked on, I just can guess,
he thought it was time for me to confess.
When he had finished I took the light,
to light his way out clear and bright.
At the stairs now, really small,
was my hit then, all in all,
with a merry breath and sigh,
I kicked his back, so soft and light.
Oh what rumble, tumble, roar,
I'd never seen so fast before,
a man take the stairs to the lower floor.
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