"The grapes are collected late in the season, and picked one by one. The juice runs, from its own pressure, over a grooved table, into earthen jars. The quantity is small, and very precious. It is called, Ausbruch; the self-flowing."

     SWEETEST, in the Rhine-land,
     Famous, as a vine-land,
When the golden clusters burst with juice,
     They hang them by the stems,
     All gleaming, there, like gems;
To let the luscious, limpid, liquor loose:
     And these sweet, spontaneous, streams,
     Every Rhinelander still deems,
The choicest, that the vintage can produce.

     So my verses, dearest,
     Sprung from love sincerest,
Filling all my spirit, full of thee,
     Gushing out, like fountains,
     Down the side of mountains,
Flow, forever full, and fresh, and free;
     Or breathe, like scent, from flowers,
     In Spring's first, dewy, hours,
When violets and roses tempt the bee.

Project Canterbury