Von Kronen.--Tell me, Hoffmann, can a man blush red in the dark?

Hoffmann.--Another hard question! That a man may become pale with fear in the dark, I can believe; but blush red scarcely, since a man may be pale of himself, but blush only on account of himself and another.

Von Kronen.--Ay, that is true; but the question whether ladies can become red in the dark is a very difficult question; at least, one that cannot be settled in the light.

Freisleben.--Ask the magistrate why he does not light the streets better; that would be much more serviceable than these subtleties.

Von Kronen.--Dear Freisleben, in a country where the eyes of people who are in love shine in the dark, there is no need of lanterns.

Freisleben.--For thy satirical impertinence thou shalt go into the streets with me, on a voyage of discovery after some red wine. We will make booty of some bottles in one of the kneips, and then manufacture some glee-wine. It will relish with the cigars.

Mr. Traveller.--Capital! Hoffmann! let us hasten out too. We will buy sugar and spices.

Hoffmann.--Good! So every one makes himself a useful member of society.

In a short time all were again a.s.sembled; the table was moved forward to the stove. A light odour of cigars filled the room, and the wine, which was played around by the flames in the little coffee-kettle, began to sing. The cloves were now thrown in, the guests each took sugar, and Freisleben filled the gla.s.ses. Hoffmann had brought a guitar with him, and accompanied on it the following song:--

Down, down with the sorrows And troubles of earth!

For what is our life made But drinking and mirth!

Drink, and be glad, sirs, Laugh and be gay; Keep sober to-morrow, But drink to-day!

Love's a deceiver,-- He'll cheat if he can; Sweet innocent woman Is wiser than man!

Trust her not, trust her not, She will deceive!

Who wins her may gather The sea in a sieve!

Laying up money Is labour and care; All you have toiled for Is spent by the heir!

Knowledge is wearisome, Save when the wise Study whole volumes In beautiful eyes!

So, down with the sorrows And troubles of earth!

For what was our life made But drinking and mirth!

Then drink and be glad, sirs, Laugh and be gay; Keep sober to-morrow, But drink to-day.

"Seven Temptations." By Mrs. Howitt.

All repeat the last verse, and drink.

Freisleben.--Mr. Traveller, that song originates in your Fatherland.

She who wrote it shall "live-hoch!" (They touch gla.s.ses.) Now, Von Kronen, let us have a German one.

Von Kronen sings:--

THE SONG OF WINE.

The song of wine is short and fine, And joy and drinking doth combine.

Oh! he who cannot sing it yet, Will learn it now we here are met.

The song of wine, etc.

Ye chat not long your cups among; Wine fires the spirit into song, He who can sing, high be his laud,-- He who sings not can hum accord.

Ye chat not long, etc.

Wine clears the blood, gives bolder mood, And makes the heart all mild and good.

Wine is the death-blow to old Care!

A glorious call to do and dare!

Wine clears, etc.

The wine-elate, without estate, And without castle 's rich and great.

Yes, G.o.ds we are when wine flows clear, And old Olympus yet stands here.

The wine-elate, etc.

Join hand in hand; in Bacchus' land All men are free, and equal stand.

O magic drink! thou n.o.ble wine!

The golden age for ever's thine.

Join hand in hand, etc.

Freisleben.--Our absent friends shall live! (They touch gla.s.ses.)

Mr. Traveller.--Will they return soon?

Von Kronen.--We expect them to-morrow, and their Christmas presents, which their Frau Mamma and Mamsel have given them. Pittschaft will be well packaged again, who would not on any account fail to spend his Christmas-eve in his Father-city.

Mr. Traveller.--The exchange of gifts at Christmas, as it is practised in Germany, pleases me much; and I am especially delighted with the Christ-tree.

Von Kronen.--Have you seen the huge tree at the Sattlermullerei,[45]

where the Hanseatic students hold their Christmas?

Mr. Traveller.--No. Do the students then also present each other with Christmas gifts?

Von Kronen.--One or other of the Ch.o.r.es frequently amuse themselves with this sport. I recollect that a society to which I belonged agreed to exchange Christmas gifts, of which none was to cost more than six kreutzer--twopence English money. The most droll things imaginable were brought on the occasion.

Hoffmann.--The glee-wine is famous; it warms one right through and through. Let us sing a beautiful song. He plays and all sing.

TABLE-SONG.

FROM GOETHE.

Heavenly joy entrances me Far beyond exploring; Shall it one day bear me up To the star-lands soaring?

Yet, in truth, remaining here, More is to my liking; By the wine-gla.s.s and the song-- On the table striking.

Friends, I pray ye, wonder not At my thus deciding; For no blessing yet is like-- On the earth abiding.

Therefore swear I solemnly, Without all concealing, That I shall not recklessly Out of life be stealing.