HEINRICH HEINE - Repositories

J^eme^ 55
FRENCH
POLITENESS.
Sweet pine-apple perfume of politeness
! how beneficently thou refreshed'st
my languishing soul, which
had endured in Germany so much tobacco-smoke,
smell of sauerkraut, and
rudeness of manners. I was almost
abashed at such sweet politeness, accustomed
as I was to the clownish German
thrust in the ribs without any accompanying
apology. During the first
week of my stay in Paris, I sometimes
intentionally' exposed myself to be
jostled, just to have the pleasure of
hearing the music of such expressions
of apology.
STORM AT SEA.
The storm tunes up for dancing,
With whistle and sough and roar,
Hurrah ! how the good ship capers.
Night lustily takes the fioor.
Live ranges of water-mountains
Are shaped by the raging sea.
Here yawning iu black abysses.
There towering white on our lee.
What cursing, puking, and praying
In reeks from the cabin come;
I hug the masts like a lover.
And wish myself safe at home.