Dedicated to their dear siblings Lise and Martin By Grete and Hermann Lasker Oh what luck, one time He found himself alone With Li-chen in a gallery. Ha, really, that was fine! Already he sung “Te Deum”, But suddenly the museum Guard showed up. Oh, rats! Horrible! “Man”, cried Martin inwardly, Man – the blow hit him hard – Man things were perfect So at the end – How maddening – You wrecked it all for me! But he didn’t pause reflecting, Straight to the guard he went, Pressed something in his hand, Smiled mildly and disappeared. The guard’s back bowed, He withdrew, Leaving them finally alone, All alone the two of them. People, do you know what that led to? People, do you know what happened there? You can hear it resound, and one realized: The mouth tests And then engagement That’s the consequence. There you have the story, Of how Martin got Li-chen They gave each other their word In that place dedicated to art. That coincidence take as sign That the muses are reaching out their hands Pledging blessing. Muses, may you guide them Muses, may you grant them good fortune, Muses, protect them always! That should be reinforced with wine A “Hoch!” for the dear couple! [“Hoch” means ‘High’. It’s a punning short cut – in one sense it’s for “up glasses” or bottoms up & in the other it’s for “hoch sollen sie leben” which means may their lives go well or mazel tov].

			Dedicated to their dear siblings Lise and Martin By Grete and Hermann Lasker Oh what luck, who could have known He would find himself alone With Li-chen in a gallery. Ha, really, that is ecstacy! Already he has sung “Te Deum”, But suddenly in the museum A guard appeared. Oh, rats! What I feared! “Man”, cried Martin inwardly, Man – the blow hit him instantly– Man -  things were going just so well But at the end, who could tell How maddening it would be to see How badly its been wrecked for me! But he didn’t pause or hesitate, But  to the guard he went quite straight, Pressed  in his hand something for him, Smiled mildly whilst disappearing. The guard’s back bowed, He said nothing aloud, But left them finally alone, In private the two of them could roam What happened then, I can share People, do you know what happened there? You can hear it resound one of the best As each each other’s mouth they test And then engagement follows at once That you see is the consequence. There you have the story then, Of how Martin got Li-chen They gave each other their word In that place of art each concurred. That coincidence taken as a sign The muses  reach out as by design Pledging blessing oh so fine. Muses, may you guide them true Muses,  grant them good fortune too, Muses, protect them always in time! That should be reinforced with wine To keep them both from every trouble A “Hoch!” now for the dear couple!