The Stork's Profession (I820s)

 

The stork that feeds on frog and worm

Beside our pond, so free,

Why does he nest on the Kirchenturm

Where he has no right to be?

 

He clatters about and snaps enough,

Sounds we all detest;

But young and old folks lack the guff

To plague him in his nest.

 

What squatting rights – all due respects

­Entitle him to it,

Save that he pleasingly elects

On the church's roof to . . .?

 

 

Translated by Christopher Middleton