The Poetry Corner

Hans Breitmanns Barty.

By Charles G. Leland

Hans Breitmann gife a barty; Dey had biano-blayin, I felled in lofe mit a Merican frau, Her name vas Madilda Yane. She hat haar as prown ash a pretzel, Her eyes vas himmel-plue, Und vhen dey looket indo mine, Dey shplit mine heart in dwo. Hans Breitmann gife a barty, I vent dere youll pe pound; I valtzet mit Matilda Yane, Und vent shpinnen round und round. De pootiest Fraulein in de house, She vayed pout dwo hoondred pound, Und efery dime she gife a shoomp She make de vindows sound. Hans Breitmann gife a barty, I dells you it cost him dear; Dey rolled in more ash sefen kecks Of foost-rate lager beer. Und vhenefer dey knocks de shpicket in De deutschers gifes a cheer; I dinks dot so vine a barty Nefer coom to a het dis year. Hans Breitmann gife a barty; Dere all vas Souse and Brouse, Vhen de sooper comed in, de gompany Did make demselfs to house; Dey ate das Brot and Gensy broost, De Bratwurst and Braten vine, Und vash der Abendessen down Mit four parrels of Neckarwein. Hans Breitmann gife a barty; Ve all cot troonk ash bigs. I poot mine mout to a parrel of beer, Und emptied it oop mit a schwigs; Und den I gissed Madilda Yane, Und she shlog me on de kop, Und de gompany vighted mit daple-lecks Dill de coonshtable made oos shtop. Hans Breitmann gife a barty Vhere ish dot barty now? Vhere ish de lofely golden cloud Dot float on de moundains prow? Vhere ish de himmelstrahlende stern De shtar of de shpirits light? All goned afay mit de lager beer Afay in de ewigkeit!