That old sorcerer has
vanished
And for once has gone away!
Spirits called by him, now
banished,
My commands shall soon obey.
Every step and saying
That he used, I know,
And with sprites obeying
My arts I will show.
Flow, flow onward
Stretches many
Spare not any
Water rushing,
Ever streaming fully downward
Toward the pool in current
gushing.
Come, old broomstick, you are
needed,
Take these rags and wrap them
round you!
Long my orders you have
heeded,
By my wishes now I've bound
you.
Have two legs and stand,
And a head for you.
Run, and in your hand
Hold a bucket too.
Flow, flow onward
Stretches many,
Spare not any
Water rushing,
Ever streaming fully downward
Toward the pool in current
gushing.
See him, toward the shore
he's racing
There, he's at the stream
already,
Back like lightning he is
chasing,
Pouring water fast and
steady.
Once again he hastens!
How the water spills,
How the water basins
Brimming full he fills!
Stop now, hear me!
Ample measure
Of your treasure
We have gotten!
Ah, I see it, dear me, dear
me.
Master's word I have
forgotten!
Ah, the word with which the
master
Makes the broom a broom once
more!
Ah, he runs and fetches
faster!
Be a broomstick as before!
Ever new the torrents
That by him are fed,
Ah, a hundred currents
Pour upon my head!
No, no longer
Can I please him,
I will seize him!
That is spiteful!
My misgivings grow the
stronger.
What a mien, his eyes how
frightful!
Brood of hell, you're not a
mortal!
Shall the entire house go
under?
Over threshold over portal
Streams of water rush and
thunder.
Broom accurst and mean,
Who will have his will,
Stick that you have been,
Once again stand still!
Can I never, Broom, appease
you?
I will seize you,
Hold and whack you,
And your ancient wood
I'll sever,
With a whetted axe I'll crack
you.
He returns, more water
dragging!
Now I'll throw myself upon
you!
Soon, 0 goblin, you'll be
sagging.
Crash! The sharp axe has
undone you.
What a good blow, truly!
There, he's split, I see.
Hope now rises newly,
And my breathing's free.
Woe betide me!
Both halves scurry
In a hurry,
Rise like towers
There beside me.
Help me, help, eternal
powers!
Off they run, till wet and
wetter
Hall and steps immersed are
Iying.
What a flood that naught can
fetter!
Lord and master, hear me
crying! -
Ah, he comes excited.
Sir, my need is sore.
Spirits that I've cited
My commands ignore.
"To the lonely
Corner, broom!
Hear your doom.
As a spirit
When he wills, your master
only
Calls you, then 'tis time to
hear it."
Translation by Edwin Zeydel (1955).
