Chapter 53

child in his arms, her head lying on his shoulder. An_ Organ-boy _with a monkey, sitting on a door-step. He sings in a low voice_.

_Julian_. Look at the monkey, Lily.

_Lily_. No, dear father; I do not like monkeys.

_Julian_. Hear the poor boy sing.

[_They listen. He sings_.]

SONG.

Wenn ich höre dich mir nah', Stimmen in den Blättern da; Wenn ich fühl' dich weit und breit, Vater, das ist Seligkeit.

Nun die Sonne liebend scheint, Mich mit dir und All vereint; Biene zu den Blumen fliegt, Seel' an Lieb' sich liebend schmiegt.

So mich völlig lieb du hast, Daseyn ist nicht eine Last; Wenn ich seh' und höre dich, Das genügt mir inniglich.

_Lily_. It sounds so curious. What is he saying, father?

_Julian_. My boy, you are not German?

_Boy_. No; my mother Came from those parts. She used to sing the song. I do not understand it well myself, For I was born in Genoa.--Ah! my mother!

[_Weeps_.]

_Julian_. My mother was a German, my poor boy; My father was Italian: I am like you.

[_Giving him money_.]

You sing of leaves and sunshine, flowers and bees, Poor child, upon a stone in the dark street!

_Boy_. My mother sings it in her grave; and I Will sing it everywhere, until I die.