History & Politics
The Promise
Translated by Edgar Alfred Bowring (1908) · From New Poems: Poems for the Times
You no more shall barefoot crawl so
Through the dirt, poor German freedom!
Stockings (as you find you need ’em)
You shall have, and stout boots also.
As respects your head, upon it
To protect your ears from freezin’
In the chilly winter-season
You shall have a nice warm bonnet.
You shall have, too, savoury messes--
Grand the future that’s before you!
Let no Satyr, I implore you,
Lure you onward to excesses!
Do not haste on fast and faster!
Render, as becomes inferiors,
Due respect to your superiors
And the worthy burgomaster.
Cite this poem
MLA
Heine, Heinrich. “The Promise.” Translated by Edgar Alfred Bowring. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/heine/300/.
Chicago
Heine, Heinrich. “The Promise.” Translated by Edgar Alfred Bowring. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/heine/300/.
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