E.R. (part 1)
Among the events leading up to the visit in question. (Taking place “At the Black Whale in Ashkelon” - an English rendering of the song by von Scheffel below.)
Altassyrisch
Among the events leading up to the visit in question. (Taking place “At the Black Whale in Ashkelon” - an English rendering of the song by von Scheffel below.)
Altassyrisch
— Victor von Scheffel
Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon
Da trank ein Mann drei Tag’,
Bis dass er steif wie ein Besenstiel
Am Marmortische lag.
Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon
Da sprach der Wirt: «Halt an!
Der trinkt von meinem Dattelsaft
Mehr als er zahlen kann.»
Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon
Da bracht’ der Kellner Schar
In Keilschrift auf sechs Ziegelstein
Dem Gast die Rechnung dar.
Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon
Da sprach der Gast: «O weh!
Mein bares Geld ging alles drauf
Im Lamm zu Nineveh!»
Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon
Da schlug die Uhr halb vier,
Da warf der Hausknecht aus Nubierland
Den Fremden vor die Tür.
Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon
Wird kein Prophet geehrt,
Und der vergnügt dort leben will,
Zahlt bar, was er verzehrt.
 |
| R von Scheffel (by Anton von Werner), L Cuneiform (by Anon von Unbekannt) |
Old Assyrian
At The Black Whale in Ashkelon,
A man drunk for three days,
Half-dead on a marble table,
Stiff as a broomstick lay.
At The Black Whale in Ashkelon,
The innkeeper, yelled out, “Hey!
He’s drunk more of my date wine
Than he can possibly pay.”
At The Black Whale in Ashkelon,
The wait-staff came in a swarm,
Brought the guest engraved on six tablets
His check in cuneiform.
At The Black Whale in Ashkelon,
The guest said then, “Oh, damn!
I have had cash since Nineveh;
It all went at The Lamb.”
At The Black Whale in Ashkelon,
The clock sounded half-four,
As the bouncer from Nubia threw
The stranger out the door.
At The Black Whale in Ashkelon,
No prophet dare presume.
Who wants to live a snug life there
Will pay cash for what he consumes.
09.16.19
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* von Scheffel (1826-1886) is known almost entirely for his student drinking songs, collected under the motto, Gaudeamus (Let’s be merry!). It could be worse; he could have been Swinburne.
The reader's patience is appreciated. Parts II and III are forthcoming. This century! (Links will be provided.)
The reader's patience is appreciated. Parts II and III are forthcoming. This century! (Links will be provided.)
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