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