Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Two Surprises
(click to play)
A workman plied his clumsy spade
As the sun was going down.
The German king with his cavalcade
Was coming into town!
The king stopped short when he saw the man
“My worthy friend,” Said he.
“Why not cease work at eventide
When the laborer should be free?’
“I do not slave” the old man said
“and I am always free
Though I work from the time I leave my bed
Till I can hardly see.”
‘How much,” said the king,” is thy gain in a day?
Eight groschen,” the man replied.
“And canst thou live on this meager pay?
Like a king,” he said with pride.
“Two groschen for me and my wife, good friend.
And two for debt I owe.
Two groschen to lend and two to spend
For those who can’t labor. You know
Thy debt?’ said the king. Said the toiler "yea."
"To my mother with age oppressed
Who cared for me. Toiled for me, many a day,
And now hath need of rest."
To whom dost lend of thy daily store?
To my three boys at school you see.
When I am too feeble to toil anymore.
They care for their mother and me.”
"And thy last two groschen?" the monarch said.
"My sisters are old and lame.
I give them two groschen for raiment and bread
All in the Father’s name.”
Tears welled up in the good king’s eyes.
"Thou knowest me not.” Said he.
“As thou last given me one, surprise.
Here is another for thee.
"I am thy king give thy hand."
And he heaped if high with gold.
"When more thou needest, I command
That I at once be told."
"For I would bless with rich reward
The man who can proudly say.
That eight souls he doth keep and guard
On eight poor groschen a day.
Stage at UPHR Auditorium, Las Piñas City
Sofia Urielle before the start of the Choral Recitation
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)