Classic Poem

The carriage went bumping along in the dark,
And many a jolt it gave one.
Then a sudden crash, and a wheel came loose;
Our plight was distinctly a grave one.

The postillion dismounted and hastened for help
To the village, and lo! I found me
Alone in the wood at the dead of night
With a clamour and howl around me.

'Tis the famished wolves that so loudly call
With hunger's voice unsleeping;
'Tis their fiery eyes that gleam through the shades,
Like the flicker of torches leaping.

The beasts, informed of my coming, no doubt,
Have resolved, by way of ovation,
To sing in my honour their choruses loud,
And provide an illumination.

I see, the song is a serenade —
A very charming notion;
I strike on the instant an attitude,
And reply with deep emotion:

" I am heartily glad, O brother wolves,
In spite of my demerits,
To hear so much affection howled
From so many noble spirits.

" What my feelings at this moment are
No words could fitly measure.
The memory of this happy hour
I shall for ever treasure.

" I thank you for your confidence,
Which I trust is not mistaken:
For that unswerving loyalty
Which has stood each test unshaken.

" Brother wolves, ye never doubted me,
Were never disconcerted
By the knaves who said that to the dogs
I had secretly deserted:

" That a renegade, in the sheepfold soon
I'd be winning a councillor's glories,
It was quite beneath my dignity
To contradict such stories.

" The sheepskin that at times for warmth
I have hung about my shoulders
Has never made me love the sheep,
However it struck beholders.

" I am neither a sheep, nor a councillor,
Nor a dog, nor a haddock; I never
Was aught but a wolf, my heart and teeth
Are as wolfish and keen as ever.

" A wolf am I, and shall always be
With the wolves a brother yelper.
Yes, count on me, and shift for yourselves,
And God will be your helper. "

Such the extempore speech I made;
With the usual mutilation,
In the Allgemeine Zeitung , by Kolb,
It was printed for circulation.