Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Stork's Vocation

THE stork who worms and frogs devours That in our ponds reside, Why should he dwell on high church-towers, With which he's not allied? Incessantly he chatters there, And gives our ears no rest; But neither old nor young can dare To drive him from his nest. I humbly ask it,—how can he Give of his title proof, Save by his happy tendency To soil the church's roof?