Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/383

At the door of thy garden. Thou smilingly saidst then: "Alexis!
Say, are yon boisterous crew going thy comrades to be?
Foreign coasts wilt thou visit, and precious merchandise purchase.
Ornaments meet for the rich matrons who dwell in the town;
Bring me, also, I pray thee, a light chain; gladly I'll pay thee,
Oft have I wished to possess some such trinket as that."
There I remained, and asked, as merchants are wont, with precision
After the form and the weight which thy commission should have.
Modest, indeed, was the price thou didst name! I meanwhile was gazing
On thy neck, which deserved ornaments worn but by queens.
Loudly now rose the cry from the ship; then kindly thou spakest:—
"Take, I entreat thee, some fruit out of the garden, my friend!
Take the ripest oranges, figs of the whitest; the ocean
Beareth no fruit, and, in truth, 'tis not produced by each land."
So I entered in. Thou pluckedst the fruit from the branches,
And the burden of gold was in thine apron upheld.
Oft did I cry, enough! But fairer fruits were still falling
Into thy hand as I spake, ever obeying thy touch.
Presently didst thou reach the arbour; there lay there a basket,
Sweet blooming myrtle-trees waved, as we drew nigh, o'er our heads.