Wilhelm Busch (1832-1908), endowed with an equipotent facility with sketch-pad and rhyming dictionary, created some of the most arresting sketches and drollest verses the world has yet seen.
In addition to the title piece, this book reprints âKer and Plunkâ (Plisch und Plum), âThe Egghead and the Two Cut-ups of Corinthâ (Diogenes and die bÃķsen Buben von Korinth), âThe Raven-robbinâ Rascalsâ (Das Rabennest), âDeceitful Henryâ (Der hinterlistige Heinrich), âThe Boy and the Popgunâ (Das Pusterrohr), âIce-Peterâ (Der Eispeter), âThe Boy and the Pipeâ (Krischan mit der Piepe), âFirm Faithâ (Fester Glauben), âThe Two Ducks and the Frogâ (Die beiden Enten und der Frosch), and âCat and Mouseâ (Katze und Maus).
By turns malevolent, jovial, sardonic, diabolical, and bloodthirsty, these verses tellingly castigate hypocrisy, stodginess, stupidity, egotism, drunkenness, and other human foibles. The English translations, printed opposite the original German, are ingenious and faithful, with spice and sense both intact.
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