What's best to be done in a cold autumn night?
Full many I've passed in more piteous plight;
The morn ever settles the matter aright.
Then quick, while the moon shines so clear,
To bed on straw, without fear.
And whilst in a soft pleasing slumber he lay,
A motion he feels 'neath his bed.
The rat, an he likes it, may rattle away!
Ay, had he but crumbs there outspread!
But lo! there appears a diminutive wight,
A dwarf 'tis, yet graceful, and bearing a light,
With orator-gestures that notice invite,
At the feet of the Count on the floor
Who sleeps not, though weary full sore.
"We've long been accustomed to hold here our feast
Since thou from thy castle first went;
And as we believed thou wert far in the East,
To revel e'en now we were bent.
And if thou'lt allow it, and seek not to chide,
We dwarfs will all banquet with pleasure and pride,
To honour the wealthy, the beautiful bride"—
Says the Count with a smile, half asleep:—
"Ye're welcome your quarters to keep!"
Three knights then advance, riding all in a group,
Who under the bed were concealed;
And then is a singing and noise-making troop
Of strange little figures revealed;
And wagon on wagon with all kinds of things—
The clatter they cause through the ear loudly ring—s
The like ne'er was seen save in castles of kings;
At length, in a chariot of gold.
The bride and the guest, too, behold!
