In front of the tavern To the White Swan,
Drinking wine, there once sat
Lightheartedly two carousing companions,
Talking of this and talking of that.
Upon the little bench beside the stone wall
There stood a glass; the glass was empty,
And by it, in mute sorrow,
Sat brother Straubinger.

The first one spoke: "If I had 
A wish to make, I would wish 
That in the broad bed of the Danube
Every little pebble were gold,
And all of the pebbles would have to be
Paid out to me and be my own. --
Brother of mine, in this case,
Half of them would be yours."

The second one spoke: "My debts
I could soon pay,
If every leaf in the Vienna Woods
Were a bank-note of a thousand guilders,
And the rest, I am willing to swear it
Upon the holy body of the Lord,
Shall be divided in half and belong to you. --
Brother of mine, I do it gladly."

Straubinger in his corner
Listened to them and pondered,
Upon his walking staff he propped
His stubbly chin and spoke,
Spoke and his voice rumbled 
Into his empty glass:
"If I were to make a wish,
It would be for a half-measure of wine."

Thus spoke the street-smart chap[,]
Again he sat mute and immovable,
And the others said quietly:
"Brother of mine, you are fool!"
Then a cry directed toward the bar could be heard:
"Hey there, barkeeper, come here,
Give to Straubinger a full measure,
He who made the cleverest wish!"