13

The Monks of Johannesberg

Two translations from the German as found in the October 12, 1890 issue of the

Brooklyn

Eagle

:

By Henry Faust:

From Fuld the stout abbot came once

to look around

If still Johannisberg in Rhine wine

did abound.

The grapes just then began in golden

hue to blink,

The abbot gave the monks a jovial

ev'ning drink.

He said:

―

The autumn next will

surely give us joy,

A bottle, less or more, don't need us

to annoy.

―

Bring forth the very best! But lo,

By W. F. L.

From Fuld the worthy abbot goes to

see

If plenty of wine at Johannesberg be.

With luscious grapes the countless

vines are bent,

And sure for pious friars their juice is

meant.

So says he to the monks:

―

Next

autumn's crop

Will be so large a bottle's but a drop.

―

Bring forth the best ye have, but ere

we taste

Let our libations by a prayer be