1. The Merry-Go-Round
by Rainer Maria Rilke

2. Under the roof and the roof’s shadow turns
this train of painted horses for a while
in this bright land that lingers
before it perishes. In what brave style
they prance – though some pull wagons.

3. And there burns
a wicked lion red with anger…

4. and now and then A big white elephant.

5. Even a stag runs here, as in the wood,
save that he bears a saddle where, upright,

6. a little girl in blue sits, buckled tight.

7. And on the lion whitely rides a young
boy who clings with little sweaty hands,
the while the lion shows his teeth and tongue.

8. And now and then a big white elephant.

9. And on the horses swiftly going by
are shining girls who have outgrown this play;

10. in the middle of the flight they let their eyes
glance here and there and near and far away -

11. and now and then a big white elephant.

12. And all this hurries toward the end, so fast,
whirling futilely, evermore the same.

13. A flash of red, of green, of gray, goes past,

14. and then a little scarce-begun profile.

15. And oftentimes a blissful dazzling smile

16. vanishes in this blind and breathless game.