A GERMAN LEGEND I Ye friends of good cheer, I pray you give ear;
I sing of old Noah who planted the vine;
But first, if you please, our thirst to appease,
Let's drink to his health in a bumper of wine! II When the Deluge was o'er, and good Father Noah
Sat moping one day in the shade of a tree,
An Angel came near, and thinking it queer,
Said: "Tell me, I pray, what the matter may be." III Says Noah: "I'm curst with a horrible thirst;
So painful, indeed, I am ready to sink;
I have plenty to eat, there's no lack of meat;
But, sir, on my honor, I've nothing to drink! IV "See, on every side, " the Angel replied,
"There is water enough both in river and rill,
Your fever to slake--not to mention the lake,
And many a fountain that flows from the hill." V Says Noah: "I know the waters still flow,
But the Deluge has ruined the fluid for drink;
So many bad men were soaked in it then,
The water now tastes of the sinners, I think." VI "It can't be denied, " the Angel replied,
"There is something of reason in what you have said;
Since the water is bad, it si fitting you had
A good wholesome tipple to drink in its stead." VII Then flying away, the very next day
The Angel came back with a handful of seeds;
And taught the good man the properest plan
Of planting, and hoeing, and killing the weeds. VIII Ah! What color and shape! 't is the beautiful grape;
In clusters of purple they hand from the vine;
And these being pressed--it is easily guessed,
Old Noah thenceforward drank nothing but wine. IX So, a cup ere we part to the man of our heart,
Old Noah, the primitive grower of wine;
And one brimming cup (nay, fill it quite up)
To the Angel who gave him the seed of the vine!