The World’s Wit and Humor: An Encyclopedia in 15 Volumes. 1906.
Heinrich Heine (17971856)The Song of Songs
F
Inscribed by our great Maker
In Nature’s mighty album erst,
When moved to life to wake her.
When thus He show’d compassion!
The coy, rebellious stuff he worked
In true artistic fashion.
The song most sweet and tender,
And wondrous strophès are her limbs,
So snowy-white and slender.
Oh, what a godlike notion!—
Where the main thought, her little head,
Rocks with a graceful motion.
Her bosom’s rosebuds dearly;
Enchanting the cæsura is
That parts her breasts severely.
No abstract poem this is!
With lips that rime deliciously,
It smiles and sweetly kisses.
Grace shines in each direction;
The song upon its forehead bears
The stamp of all perfection.
Will humbly kneel to show it;
Bunglers are we compared with Thee,
Thou glorious heavenly Poet.
I’ll bow in adoration,
And to its study day and night
Pay closest application.
No loss of time admitting;
So shall I soon with overwork
Be thinner than befitting.