eet to wand'rers comes the tone of
Evening bells from the peaceful village.

[Illustration: #FRIEDRICH HOeLDERLIN# E. HADER]

The sailor too puts into the haven now,
In distant cities cheerily dies away
The busy tumult; in the arbor
Gleams the festal repast of friendship.

But whither I? In labor, for slight reward
We mortals live; in alternate rest and toil
Contentment dwells; but why then sleeps not
Hid in my bosom the thorn unsparing?

The ev'ning heaven blooms as with springtime's hue;
Uncounted bloom the roses, the golden world
Seems wrapt in peace; oh, bear me thither,
Purple-wrought clouds! And may for me there

Both love and grief dissolve in the joyous light!
But see, as if dispelled by the foolish prayer,
The wonder fades! 'Tis dark, and lonely
Under the heaven I stand as erstwhile.

Come then to me, soft Sleep. Overmuch requires
The heart; and yet thou too at the last shalt fade,
Oh youth, thou restless dream-pursuer!
Peaceful and happy shall age then follow.

LUDWIG TIECK

* * * * *

PUSS IN BOOTS (1797)

_A fairy-tale for children in three acts, with interludes, a
prologue and an epilogue_.

TRANSLATED BY LILLIE WINTER, B.A.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

THE KING

THE PRINCESS, _his daughter_

PRINCE NATHANIEL _of Malsinki_

LEANDER, _Court scholar_

HANSWURST, _Court fool_

_A Groom of the Chamber_

_The Cook_

LORENZ }
BARTHEL } _Peasant brothers_
GOTTLIEB }

_Hinze, a tom-cat_

_A Tavern-keeper_

KUNZ }
MICHEL } _Peasants_

_A Bugbear_

_A Peace-maker_

_The Playwright_

_A Soldier_

_Two Hussars_

_Two Lovers_

_Servants_

_Musicians_

_A Peasant_

_The Prompter_

_A Shoemaker_

_A Historian_

FISCHER

MUeLLER

BOeTTICHER

LEUTNER

WIESENER

WIESENER'S NEIGHBOR

_Elephants_

_Lions_

_Bears_

_An officer_

_Eagles and other birds_

_A rabbit_

_Partridges_

_Jupiter_

_Terkaleon_

_The Machinist_

_Spirits_

_Monkeys_

_The Public_.

[Illustration: #LUDWIG TIECK# VOGEL VON VOGELSTEIN]

PROLOGUE

_The scene is laid in the pit, the candles are already lighted, the
musicians are gathered in the orchestra. The theatre is filled, people
talking in confusion, some arriving, etc_.

FISCHER, MUeLLER, SCHLOSSER, BOeTT