Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 1295

Who in the mistress' presence chides her handmaidens,

Audacious, doth o'erstep her household privilege;

For her alone beseems, the praise-worthy to praise,

As also that to punish which doth merit blame.

Moreover with the service am I well-content,

Which these have rendered me, what time proud Ilion's strength

Beleaguer'd stood, and fell and sank; nor less indeed

When we, of our sea-voyage the dreary changeful woe

Endured, where commonly each thinks but of himself.

Here also I expect the like from this blithe train;

Not what the servant is, we ask, but how he serves.

Therefore be silent thou, and snarl at them no more!

If thou the monarch's house till now hast guarded well,

Filling the mistress' place, that for thy praise shall count;

But now herself is come, therefore do thou retire,

Lest chastisement be thine, instead of well-earn'd meed!