, J 2 ?«^ <%^ ^r../ ^"-^^^ '•'1^ 1 ^f^ il^0S ^^iB#^ ^^^^ ?T i>i ^j v> r- ^^^ip \ \'^ ^\. ^v p ll ^mi ai^igi;^ ■ffi ^■1 VOLUME XVII POEMS OF GOETHE O! 1 J t» Edited by Nathan u b I i s h e r s A ■lis Maid with T)<)'^Jir.T;f Lnoh " . ure from painting b) m poetical Wox^B OF J. W. Von Goethe In Two Volumes Volume I. Edited by Nathan Haskell Dole Boston J* Francis A. Niccolls e^" C o ni p a M N ^ Publishers lEtittion ©e (^rantj ILuxe This Edition is Limited to Two Hundred and Fifty Copies, of which this is copy No* 5.4 Copyright, igo2 By Francis A. Niccolls & Co. flToIonfal Preas Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Ca Boston, Mass., U S. A. SRLF URL pr 3LOi6 A3 195^ v-/ c ontents PAGE PAGE Dedication 1 Living Remembranc e . 30 To the Kind Reader 5 The Bliss of Abseuci 3 . 31 iSound, Sweet Song . 5 To Luna . . 32 The Modern Auiadis 6 The Wedding Night . 33 When the Fox Dies His Mischievous Joy 34 Skin Counts 7 November Song . 34 The Coquette . 8 To the Chosen One . 35 The Wild Rose 8 First Loss . 36 The Breeze 9 Appai-ent Death . 36 Bliudman's Buff 9 After-Sensations . 36 Christel .... 10 Presence . . 37 Smitten .... 11 Separation . 38 Reservation 12 To the Distant One . 38 Resolve .... 13 By the River . . 39 Treasure Trove 13 The Exchange . . 39 The Muses' Son 14 Farewell . . 40 Reciprocal Invitation to Welcome and Depai ture . 40 the Dance 15 New Love, New Lift ; . 41 Like and Like . 16 To Belinda 42 Self-Deceit 16 With an Embroi dered Declaration of War 17 Ribbon . . 43 Lover in All Shapes 18 Second Life . 44 The Goldsmith's Appren- To My Mistress . 44 tice .... 20 Flower-Salute . . 45 Answers in a Game of With a Golden Neck lace . 46 Questions 21 May Song . 46 Different Emotions on the On the Lake . . 48 Same Spot . 22 From the Mountain . 49 The Misanthrope 23 May Song . 49 Different Threats . 24 Early Spring . . 50 Who'll Buy Cupid ? 24 In Summer . 51 True Enjoyment 26 Autumn Feelings . 51 Maiden Wishes 27 Restless Love . . 52 The Farewell . 28 The Sliepherd's Lan lent . 53 Motives .... 29 Night Song . 54 The Lovely Night . 29 Comfort in Tears . 54 Love's Dream . 30 Longing . . 56 vu VIU CONTENTS Thought The Castle on the Moun- tain .... To Miguon Spirit Greeting To a Golden Heart He Was Wearing on His Neck . Wanderer's Night-Song Ilm, the River, to the Moon Huntsman's Evening Song Evening . To Lina . Ever and Everywhere Delight of Sorrow . Proximity A Night Petition To His Coy One Rollicking Hans To Lida . Reciprocal The Freebooter Joy and Sorrow March April May June Next Year's Spring Swiss Song Sicilian Song . At Midnight Hour To the Rising Full Moon The Bridegroom Such, Such Is He Who Pleaseth Me . Gipsy Song The Destruction of Magde burg Finnish Song . Depression Sorrow AVithout Consola- tion The I'arting . On the New Year Anniversary Song . The Spring Oracle . The Happy Couple . Song of Fellowship . Constancy in Change PAGE 57 59 60 00 61 62 63 64 64 65 65 65 66 m 66 67 68 68 69 69 70 71 71 72 74 74 75 75 76 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 82 83 84 86 87 90 91 PAGE Table Song . . .93 Wont and Done . . 95 Vanitas, Vanitatum Vaui- tas .... 96 Fortune of War . . 98 Coptic Song . . . 100 Another . . . .100 Open Table . . .101 The Reckoning . . 103 Mignon .... 106 General Confession . . 107 Ergo Bibamus ! . .108 The Minstrel . . .109 Epiphanias . . .111 Ballad . . . .112 The Faithless Boy . .115 The Erl-King . . .117 Johanna Sebus . .118 The Violet . . .120 The Beauteous Flower . 121 Sir Curt's Wedding Jour- ney .... 124 Wedding Song . . 125 The Fisherman . , 128 The Rat-Catcher . . 129 The King of Thule . .130 The Treasure-Seeker . 131 The Spinner . . . 132 The Youth and the Mill- Stream . . . .133 The Maid of the Mill's Treachery . . .136 The Maid of the Mill's Repentance . . .138 The Walking Bell . .141 The Traveller and the Farm Maiden . . 142 The Page and the Miller's Daughter . . . 145 Faithful Eckart . . 147 The Dance of the Dead . 149 Effect at a Distance . 150 The Bride of Corinth . 152 The Pupil in Magic . . 159 Before a Com-t of Justice 162 The God and the Baya- dere .... 163 The Pariah . . .166 Death Lament of the No- ble Wife of Asan Aga . 172 CONTENTS ix PAGE PAGE Idyll . . . . 175 The Friendly Meeting . 262 Rinaldo . . . . 17!) In a Word . 262 The P'irst Walpurgis- The Maiden Speaks . 263 Night . . . . 184 Growth . . 264 To My Friend . 188 Food in Travel . 264 Song of the Spirits over Departm-e . 265 the Waters . 102 The Loving One Writes . 265 Mahomet's Song V.r.i The Loving One Onc( My Goddess 195 More . ' 266 llaitz Mountains 198 The Doubters and th( The Wanderer's Storm- Lovers . ^ 267 Song .... 201 She Cannot End . 267 To Father Kronos . 205 Nemesis . 268 The Sea-Voyage 206 The Christmas-Box . . 268 The Eagle and the Dove 208 The Warning . . 269 Ganymede 209 The Epochs . . 269 Prometheus 210 Charade . 270 Limits of Humanity 212 The Soldier's Consolatior I 270 The Godlike . 213 To Originals . 271 The German Parna.ssus . 215 Genial Impulse 271 Love's Distresses 222 Neither This nor That 271 Lili's Menagerie 223 The Way to Behave 271 To Charlotte . 227 The Best 272 Morning Lament 228 As Broad as It's Long 272 The Visit .... 230 The Rule of Life 272 The Musagetes 232 The Same, Expanded 272 The Water-Man 234 Calm at Sea . 273 Psyche .... 235 The Prosperous Voyage 273 In Absence 236 Courage . 274 The Magic Net 236 Admonition 274 The Chm-ch Window 237 My Only Property . 274 The Cavalier's Choice 238 Old Age . 275 The Artist's Morning Epitaph . 275 Song .... 240 Rule for Monarchs . 275 The Goblet 243 Paulo Post Futiu-i . • 275 From an Album of 1004 . 244 The Fool's Epilogue 276 To the Grasshopper 245 Authors . 277 From " The SoiTows of Cat-Pie . 277 Young Werther " . 246 Joy .... 278 Trilogy of Passion . 246 Explanation of an An- For Ever .... 254 tique Gem . 270 Lines on Seeing Schiller's Legend . 280 Skull .... 254 The AVraugler . 280 On the Divan . 255 The Critic 281 Royal Prayer . 256 The Yelpers . 281 Human Feelings 256 Tlip Stork's Vocation 282 Explanation of an An- The Dilettante and the cient Woodcut, Repre- Critic . . . . 282 senting Hans Sachs's Poetry . . . . 283 Poetical Mission . 256 Celebrity . . . . 283 X CONTENTS PAOE PAGE Flaying at Priests . 284 Anacreon's Grave 326 Songs 28(i The Husbanduuvn 326 A Parable 286 The Brothers 326 i^hould E'er the Loveles; Love's IIoiu--Glass 327 Day . 287 Warning 327 A Plan the Muses Eater Philomela 327 tained . . 287 The Chosen Rock 328 The Death of the Fly 287 Solitude 328 Jiy the River . 288 Holy Family 329 The Fox and the Hunts The Muses' Miri'or 329 man 288 The Teachers 329 ^riie Froi^s 289 Marriage Unequal 330 The Wedding . 289 Phoebus and Hermes . 330 The Fox ami Crane 290 The Wreaths 330 Burial 291 The New Love 331 The Bayers 291 The Consecrated Spot . 332 Symbols . 292 Sakontala 332 Threatening; 8io;ns . 292 Distichs 333 The Mountain Village 293 The Chinaman in Three Paliuodias 293 Rome 334 A Symbol 29(j Perfect Bliss 334 Valediction 297 Proverbs 334 The Country Schoolmas- Venetian Epigrams 335 ter .. . 298 Elegies The Legend of the Horse- Roman Elegies 340 shoe 299 Alexis and Dora . 345 The Wanderer 301 Song of the Fates . 354 The Drops of Nectar 308 Songs from Various Love as a Landscape Plays, etc. Painter 309 From Faust . 356 Ood, Soul, and World 312 From Faust — Second The Metamorphosis ol Part .... 366 Plants . 313 From Gotz Von Ber- Religion and Church 317 lichinfjen . 374 Proverbs . 322 From EgmoTit 375 Tame Xenla 322 From Wilhelm Meis- Exculpation 323 ter's Apprenticeship . 376 Phooemion 324 Philine's Song . 378 The Park 325 Epilo!?ue to Schiller's Antiquks " Song of the Bell " . 379 Leopold, Duke ol [ L'Euvoi . . . . 382 Brunswick 326 J List of Illustrations PAGE "A BEAUTEOUS MAID WITH DOWNCAST LOOK " (See page 26 1) Frontispiece "dorilis then gave it me " . . . . . . 7 " Half dkew him in, half lured him in " . . . 128 "TlIKN SHE sinks BESIDE HIS BIER " ..... 165 "The monster's droll enough" ..... 225 Poems of Goethe, I. Poems of Goethe DEDICATION. The morning came. Its footsteps scared away The gentle sleep that hovered lightly o'er me ; I left my quiet cot to greet the day, And gaily climbed the mountainside before me. The sweet young flowers ! how fresh were they and tender, Brimful with dew upon the sparkling lea ; The young day opened in exulting splendour, And all around seemed glad to gladden me. II. And, as I mounted, o'er the meadow ground A white and til my essence 'gan to hover ; It sailed and shifted till it hemmed me round, Then rose above my head, and floated over. No more I saw the beauteous scene unfolded — It lay beneath a melancholy shroud ; And soon was I, as if in vapour moulded. Alone, within the twihght of the cloud. III. At once, as though the sun were struggling through, Within the mist a sudden radiance started ; 2 POEMS OF GOETHE Here sunk the vapour, but to rise anew, There on the peak, and upland forest parted. Oh, how I panted for the first clear gleaming. Made by the gloom it banished doubly bright ! It came not, but a glory round me beaming. And I stood blinded by the gush of light. IV. A moment, and I felt enforced to look. By some strange impulse of the heart's emotion ; But more than one quick glance I scarce could brook, For all was burning like a molten ocean. There, in the glorious clouds that seemed to bear her, A form angelic hovered in the air ; Ne'er did my eyes behold a vision fairer, And still she gazed upon me, floating there. V. " Dost thou not know me ? " and her voice was soft As truthful love, and holy calm it sounded. " Know'st thou not me, who many a time and oft Poured balsam in thy hurts when sorest wounded ? Ah, well thou knowest her, to whom for ever Thy heart in union pants to be alhed ! Have I not seen the tears — the wild endeavour That even in boyhood brought me to thy side ? " VI. " Yes ! I have felt thy influence oft," I cried. And sank on earth before her, half-adoring ; " Thou brought'st me rest when passion's lava tide Thro' my young veins like liquid fire was pouring. And thou hast fanned, as with celestial pinions. In summer's heat, my parched and fevered brow; Gav'st me the choicest gifts of earth's dominions, And, save through thee, I seek no fortune now. POEMS OF GOETHE VII. " I name thee not, but 1 have heard thee named, And heard thee styled their own ere now by many ; All eyes believe at thee their glance is aimed, Though tliine etiulgence is too great for any. Ah ! I had many comrades whilst I wandered — I know thee now, and stand almost alone : I veil thy light, too precious to be squandered, And share the inward joy I feel with none." VIII. Smiling, she said — " Thou seest 'twas wise from thee To keep the fuller, greater revelation : Scarce art thou from grotesque delusions free, Scarce master of thy childish first sensation ; Yet deem'st thyself so far above thy brothers. That thou hast won the right to scorn them ! Cease. Who made the yawning gulf 'twixt thee and others ? Know — know thyself — live with the world in peace." IX. " Forgive me ! " I exclaimed, " I meant no ill. Else should in vain my eyes be disenchanted ; Within my blood there stirs a genial will — I know the worth of all that thou hast gianted. That boon I hold in trust for others merely. Nor shall I let it rust within the gi'ound ; Why sought I out the pathway so sincerely, If not to guide my brothers to the bound ? " And as I spoke, upon her radiant face Passed a sweet smile, like breath across a mirror, And in her eyes' bright meaning I could trace What I had answered well, and what in error. 4 POEMS OF GOETHE She smiled, and then my heart regained its hghtness, And bounded in my breast with rapture high : Then durst I pass within her zone of brightness, And gaze upon her with unquailing eye. XI. Straightway she stretched her hand among the thin And watery haze that round her presence hovered ; Slowly it coiled and shrunk her grasp within, And lo ! the landscape lay once more uncovered — Again mine eye could scan the sparkling meadow, I looked to heaven, and all was clear and bright ; I saw her hold a veil without a shadow. That undulated round her in the hght. XII. " I know thee ! — all thy weakness, all that yet Of good within thee lives and glows, I've measured ; She said — her voice I never may forget — " Accept the gift that long for thee was treasured. Oh ! happy he, thrice-blessed in earth and heaven, Who takes this gift with soul serene and true, The veil of song, by Truth's own fingers given, Enwoven of sunshine and the morning dew. XIII. " Wave but this veil on high, whene'er beneath The noonday fervour thou and thine are glowing. And fragrance of all flowers around shall breathe. And the cool winds of eve come freshly blowing. Eartli's cares shall cease for thee, and all its riot; Where gloomed the grave, a starry couch be seen ; The waves of hfe shall sink in halcyon quiet ; The days be lovely fair, the nights serene." POEMS OF GOETHE XIV. Come then, my friends, and whether 'neath the load Of heavy griefs ye struggle on, or whether Your better destiny shall strew the road With flowers, and golden fruits that cannot wither. United let us move, still forward striving ; So while we live shall joy our days illume, And in our children's hearts our love surviving Shall gladden them, when we are in the tomb. A. M. TO THE KIND READER No one talks more than a poet ; Fain he'd have the people know it, Praise or blame he ever loves ; None in prose confess an error, Yet we do so, void of terror. In the Muses' silent groves. What I erred in, what corrected, What I suffered, what effected. To this wreath as flowers belong ; For the aged and the youthful. And the vicious and the truthful, All are fair when viewed in song. SOUND, SWEET SONG. Sound, sweet song, from some far land. Sighing softly close at hand, Now of joy, and now of woe ! Stars are wont to glimmer so. Sooner thus will good unfold ; Children young and children old Gladly hear thy numbers flow. POEMS OF GOETHE THE MODERN AMADIS. They kept me guarded close, while yet A little tiny elf, And so I sat, and did beget A world within myself, All I cared to see. Golden fancy then unfurled Endless sights to me. And a gallant knight I grew ; Like the Prince Pipi, Koamed throughout the world. Many a crystal palace saw, Many overthrew ; My far-flashing falchion hurled Through the dragon's maw. Ha ! then I was a man ! Next I freed in knightly wise The Princess Periban ; Oh, the wonder of her eyes, Smiling, as I wooed Her with hearted sighs ! Her kiss, it was ambrosial food, Glowed like noble wine ; With love, o\\, I was almost dead ! A golden haze divine She around her shed. Who has torn her from my sight ? Can no spell delay That dear vision, stay her flight ? Where her home, oh, say ? And thither, which the way ? 3P tiu " Dorilis then Gave It CMc " Photogravure from the painting by Y. Kirchlta. h POEMS OF GOETHE WHEN THE FOX DIES HIS SKIN COUNTS.^ We youug people in the shade Sat one sultry day ; Cupid came, and " Dies the Fox ' With us sought to play. Each one of my friends then sat By his mistress dear ; Cupid, blowing out the torch, Said : " The taper's here ! " Then we quickly sent around The expiring brand ; Each one put it hastily In his neighbour's hand. Dorilis then gave it me, With a scoffing jest ; Sudden into flame it broke. By my fingers pressed. And it singed my eyes and face, Set my breast on fire ; Then above my head the blaze Mounted ever higher. Vain I sought to put it out ; Ever burned the flame ; 'Stead of dying, soon the Fox Livelier still became. 1 The name of a game known in English as " Jack's Alight." 8 POEMS OF GOETHE THE COQUETTE. O'er the meadows tripped sweet Kitty, On a dewy morn in spring, Like a lark, her blithesome ditty Gaily, lightly carolling, So la la ! Le ralla. Lubin, as she passed beside him. Offered two lambs for a kiss ; Eoguishly awhile she eyed him. Tripped away, then carolled this, So la la ! Le ralla. Kibbons red young Colin proffers, Kobin with his heart would wile. But she mocks at all their offers. Singing, as she mounts the stile. So la la ! Le ralla. THE WILD ROSE. A BOY espied, in morning light, A little rosebud blowing ; 'Twas so delicate and bright, That he came to feast his sight. And wonder at its growing Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red. Rosebud brightly blowing ! " I will gather thee," — he cried, - " Rosebud brightly glowing ! " " Then I'll sting thee," it replied, POEMS OF GOETHE And you'll quickly start aside With the prickle glowing." Eosebud, rosebud, rosebud red, Rosebud brightly blowing ! But he plucked it from the plain. The rosebud brightly blowing ! It turned and stung him, but in vain — He regarded not the pain, Homeward with it going, Eosebud, rosebud, rosebud red, Eosebud brightly blowing ! THE BEEEZE. The mists they are scattered. The blue sky looks brightly. And Eolus looses The wearisome chain ! The winds, how they whistle ! The steersman is busy — Hillio-ho, hillio-ho ! We dash through the billows - They flash far behmd us — Land, land, boys, again ! BLINDMAN'S BUFF. On, my Theresa dear ! Thine eyes I greatly fear Can through the bandage see ! Although thine eyes are bound. By thee I'm quickly found, And wherefore shouldst thou catch but me. lo POEMS OF GOETHE Ere long thou held'st me fast, With arms around me cast, Upon thy breast I fell ; Scarce was thy bandage gone, When all my joy was flown. Thou coldly didst the blind repel. He groped on every side. His hmbs he sorely tried, While scoffs arose all round ; If thou no love wilt give, In sadness I shall hve. As if mine eyes remained still bound. CHRISTEL. My senses ofttimes are oppressed, Oft stagnant is my blood ; But when by Christel's sight I'm blest I feel my strength renewed. I see her here, I see her there. And really cannot tell The manner how, the when, the where. The why I love her well. If with the merest glance I view Her black and roguish eyes, And gaze on her black eyebrows too. My spirit upward flies. Has any one a mouth so sweet, Such love-round cheeks as she ? Ah, when the eye her beauties meet, It ne'er content can be. And when in airy German dance I clasp her form divine, POEMS OF GOETHE il So quick we whirl, so quick advance, What rapture then hke mine ! And when she's giddy, and feels warm, I cradle her, poor thing, Upon my breast, and in mine arm, — I'm then a very king ! And when she looks with love of me, Forgetting all but this. When pressed against my bosom, she Exchanges kiss for kiss, All through my marrow runs a thrill, Runs e'en my foot along ! I feel so well, I feel so ill, I feel so weak, so strong ! Would that sucli moments ne'er would end ! The day ne'er long I find ; Could I the night too with her spend. E'en then I should not mind. If she were in mine arms but held, To quench love's thirst I'd try ; And could my torments not be quell'd, Upon her breast would die. SMITTEN. Through the wood as I was roaming, There a gentle youth I spied, Piping sweetly in the gloaming, Till the rocks around replied. So la la ! And beside him down he drew me, Called me fair, and kissed me then. 12 POEMS OF GOETHE " Pipe once more ! " I said, and through me I his musi So la la ! Thiill'd his music sweet again. Now my peace is flown, and never Comes a smile into mine eye, And within my ears for ever Rings that music, and I sigh, So la la ! EESEEVATION. My maiden she proved false to me ; To hate all joys I soon began, Then to a flowing stream I ran, — The stream ran past me hastily. There stood I fixed, in mute despair ; My head swam round as in a dream ; I well-nigh fell into the stream, And earth seemed with me whirling there. Sudden I heard a voice that cried — I had just turned my face from thence — It was a voice to charm each sense : " Bew^are, for deep is yonder tide ! " A thrill my blood pervaded now, I looked, and saw a beauteous maid ; — I asked her name — 'twas Kate, she said - '-' Oh, lovely Kate ! how kind art thou ! " From death I have been saved by thee, 'Tis through thee only that I live ; Little 'twere life alone to give, My joy in life then deign to be ! " POEMS OF GOETHE 13 Aud tbeu I told my sorrows o'er, Her eyes to earth she sweetly threw ; I kissed her, and she kissed me too. And — then 1 talked of death no more. RESOLVE. On, on across the plains and feel no dread ! Where not the boldest hath Trod down a path, which thou may'st safely tread. Make for thyself a path ! Still thou my heart, dear love ! It will not break Though bent awhile it be ; And if it needs must be, that it shaU break, It breaks not, love, with thee. TREASURE TROVE. Through the forest idly, As my steps I bent, With a free and happy heart, Singing as I went. Cowering in the shade I Did a floweret spy. Bright as any star in heaven, Sweet as any eye. Down to pluck it stooping. Thus to me it said, ".Wlierefore pluck me only To wither and to fade ? " 14 POEMS OF GOETHE Up with its roots I dug it, I bore it as it grew, And in my garden-plot at home I planted it anew ; All in a still and shady place, Beside my home so dear, And now it thanks me for my pains And blossoms all the year. THE MUSES' SON. [Goethe quotes the beginning of this song in his Antobiog- raphy, as expressing the manner in which his poetical effusions used to pour out from him.] Through field and wood to stray And pipe my tuneful lay, — 'Tis thus my days are passed ; And all keep tune with me, And move on in harmony, And so on, to the last. To wait I scarce have power The garden's earhest flower. The tree's first bloom in spring ; They hail my joyous strain, — When winter comes again. Of that sweet dream I sing. My song sounds far and near. O'er ice it echoes clear, Then winter blossoms bright ; And when his blossoms fly. Fresh raptures meet mine eye, Upon the well-tilled heiglit. POEMS OF GOETHE 15 Wlien 'neath the linden-tree. Young folks I chance to see, I set them moving soon ; His nose the dull lad curls. The formal maiden whirls, Obedient to my tune. Wings to the feet ye lend, O'er hill and vale ye send The lover far from home ; When shall I, on your breast, Ye kindly Muses, rest, And cease at length to roam ? RECIPEOCAL INVITATION TO THE DANCR THE INDIFFERENT. Come to the dance with me, come with me, fair one ! Dances a feast-day like this may well crown ; If thou my sweetheart art not, thou canst be so, But if thou wilt not, we still will dance on. Come to the dance with me, come with me, fair one ! Dances a feast-day Kke this may well crown. THE TENDER. Loved one, without thee, what then would all feasts be ? Sweet one, without thee, what then were the dance ? If thou my sweetheart wert not, I would dance not, If thou art still so, all life is one feast, Loved one, without thee, what then would the feast be ? Sweet one, without thee, what then were the dance V THE INDIFFERENT. Let them but love, then, and leave us the dancing! Languishing love cannot bear the glad dance. i6 POEMS OF GOETHE Let us whirl round iu the waltz's gay measure, And let them steal to the dim-lighted wood. Let them but love, then, and leave us the dancing ! Languishing love cannot bear the glad dance. THE TENDER. Let them whirl round, then, and leave us to wander I Wand'ring to love is a heavenly dance. Cupid, the near one, o'erhears their deriding. Vengeance takes suddenly, vengeance takes soon. Let them whirl round, then, and leave us to wander ! Wand'ring to love is a heavenly dance. LIKE AND LIKE. A FAIR bell-flower Sprang up from the ground, And early its fragrance It shed all around ; A bee came thither And sipped from its bell ; — That they for each other Were made, we see well. SELF-DECEIT. My neighbour's curtain, well I see, Is moving to and fro. No doubt she's listening eagerly. If I'm at home or no. And if the jealous grudge I bore And openly confessed ; Is nourished by me as before, Witliin my inmost breast. POEMS OF GOETHE i? Alas ! no fancies such as these E'er crossed the dear child's thoughts. I see 'tis but the evening breeze That with the curtain sports. DECLAEATION OF WAR. Oh, would I resembled The country girls fair, Who rosy-red ribbons And yellow hats wear ! To beheve I was pretty I thought was allowed ; In the town I believed it When by the youth vowed. Now that spring hath returned, All my joys disappear ; The girls of the country Have lured him from here. To change dress and figure. Was needful, I found. My bodice is longer, My petticoat round. My hat now is yellow, My bodice hke snow ; The clover to sickle With others I go. Something pretty, ere long Midst the troop he explores ; The eager boy signs me To go within doors. i8 POEMS OF GOETHE I bashfully go, — Who I am, he can't trace ; He pinches my cheeks. And he looks in my face. The town girl now threatens You maidens with war ; Her twofold charms jjledges Of victory are. LOVER IN ALL SHAPES. To be like a fish, Brisk and quick is my wish ; If thou cam'st with thy line, Thou wouldst soon make me thine, To be like a fish, Brisk and quick is my wish. Oh, were I a steed ! Thou wouldst love me indeed. Oh, were I a car Fit to bear thee afar ! Oh, were I a steed ! Thou wouldst love me indeed. I would I were gold That thy finger might hold ! If thou boughtest aught then, I'd return soon again. I would I were gold That thy fingers might hold ! I would I were true, And my sweetheart still new ! To 1)0 faithful I'd swear, And would go away ne'er. POEMS OF GOETHE ^ 19 I would I were true, And my sweetheart still new ! I would I were old, And wrinkled and cold. So that if thou said'st No, I could stand such a blow ! I would I were old. And wriukled and cold. An ape I would be, Full of mischievous glee ; If aught came to vex thee, I'd plague and perplex thee. An ape I would be. Full of mischievous glee. As a lamb I'd behave. As a lion be brave. As a lynx clearly see. As a fox cunning be. As a lamb I'd behave, As a lion be brave. Whatever I were. All on thee I'd confer With the gifts of a prince My affection evince. Whatever I were, All on thee I'd confer. As nought diff'rent can make me. As I am thou must take me ! If I'm not good enough. Thou must cut thine own stuff. As nought diffrent can make me; As I am thou must take me ! 20 POEMS OF GOETHE THE GOLDSMITH'S APPRENTICE. My neighbour, none can e'er deny, Is a most beauteous maid ; Her shop is ever in mine eye, When working at my trade. To ring and chain I hammer then The wire of gold assayed, And think the while : " For Kate, oh, when Will such a ring be made ? " And when she takes her shutters down, Her shop at once invade, To buy and haggle, all the town. For all that's there displayed. I file, and maybe overfile The wire of gold assayed. My master grumbles all the while, — Her shop the mischief made. To ply her wheel she straight begins When not engaged in trade ; I know full well for what she spins, — 'Tis hope guides that dear maid. Her leg, while her small foot treads on. Is in my mind portrayed ; Her garter I recall anon, — / gave it that dear maid. Then to her hps the finest thread Is by her hand conveyed. Were / there only in its stead, How I would kiss the maid ! POEMS OF GOETHE 21 ANSWEES IN A GAME OF QUESTIONS. THE LADY. In the small and great world too, What most charms a woman's heart ? It is doubtless what is new, For its blossoms joy impart ; Nobler far is what is true, For fresh blossoms it can shoot Even in the time of fruit. THE YOUNG GENTLEMAN. With the nymphs in wood and cave Paris was acquainted well, Till Zeus sent, to make him rave, Three of those in Heaven who dweU ; And the choice more trouble gave Than e'er fell to mortal lot. Whether in old times or not. THE EXPERIENCED. Tenderly a woman view, And thou'lt win her, take my word He who's quick and saucy too, Will of all men be preferred ; Who ne'er seems as if he knew If he pleases, if he charms, — He 'tis injures, he 'tis harms. THE CONTENTED. Manifold is human strife, Human passion, Imman pain : Many a blessing yet is rife, Many pleasures still remain. 22 POEMS OF GOETHE Yet the greatest bliss iu life, And the richest prize we find. Is a good, contented mind. THE MEKRY COUNSEL. He by whom man's foolish will Is each day reviewed and blamed, Who when others fools are still, Is himself a fool proclaimed, — Ne'er at mill was beast's back pressed With a heavier load than he. What I feel within my breast That in truth's the thing for me ! DIFFERENT EMOTIONS ON THE SAME SPOT. THE MAIDEN. I've seen him before me ! Wliat rapture steals o'er me Oh, heavenly sight ! He's coming to meet me ; Perplexed, I retreat me, With shame take to flight. My mind seems to wander ! Ye rocks and trees yonder, Conceal ye my rapture. Conceal my delight ! THE YOUTH. 'Tis here I must find her, 'Twas here she enshrined her, Here vanished from sight. She came, as to meet me. Then fearing to greet me, With shame took to flight. POEMS OF GOETHE 23 Is't hope ? Do 1 wauder ? Ye rocks and trees youder, Disclose ye the loved oue, Disclose my delight ! THE LANGUISHING. O'er my sad fate I sorrow, To each dewy morrow, Veiled here from man's sight. By the many mistaken. Unknown and forsaken, Here wing I my flight ! Compassionate spirit ! Let none ever hear it, — Conceal my affliction, Conceal thy delight ! THE HUNTER. To-day I'm rewarded ; Kich booty's afforded By Fortune so bright. My servant, the pheasants, And hares fit for presents. Takes homeward at night. Here see I enraptured In nets the birds captured ! — Long hfe to the hunter ! Long live his delight ! THE MISANTHROPE. At first awhile sits he. With calm, unruffled brow ; His features then I see, Distorted hideously, — > 24 POEMS OF GOETHE An owl's they might be now. What is it, asketh thou ? Is't love, or is't ennui ? 'Tis both at once, I vow. Late resounds the early strain ; Weal and woe in song remain. DIFFERENT THREATS. I ONCE into a forest far My maiden went to seek, And fell upon her neck, when : " Ah ! " She threatened, " I will shriek ! " Then cried I haughtily : " I'll crush The man that dares come near thee ! " " Hush ! " whispered she : " my loved one, hush ! Or else they'll overhear thee ! " WHO'LL BUY CUPID? Of all the wares so pretty That come into the city. There's none are so dehcious. There's none are half so precious, As those which we are bringing. Oh, listen to our singing ! Young loves to sell ? young loves to sell ! My pretty loves who'll buy ? First look you at the oldest, The wautonest, the boldest ! POEMS OF GOETHE 2$ So loosely goes he hoppiug, From tree and thicket dropping, Then flies aloft so sprightly ! We dare but praise him lightly ! The fickle rogue ! Young loves to ::,cll ! My pretty loves who'll buy ? Now see this little creature — How modest seems his feature ! He nestles so demurely, You'd think him safer surely ; And yet for all his shyness, There's danger in his slyness, The cunning rogue ! Young loves to sell ! My pretty loves who'll buy ? C)h, come and see this lovelet, This little turtle-dovelet ! The maidens that are neatest, The tenderest and sweetest. Should buy it to amuse 'em, And nurse it in their bosom. The httle pet ! Young loves to sell ! My pretty loves who'll buy ? We need not bid you buy them, They're here, if you will try them. They like to change their cages ; But for their proving sages No warrant will we utter — They all have wings to flutter, The pretty things ! Young loves to sell ' Such beauties ! Come and buy ! 26 POEMS OF GOETHE TEUE ENJOYMENT. Vainly wouldst thou, to gain a heart, Heap up a maiden's lap with gold ; The joys of love thou must impart, Wouldst thou e'er see those joys unfold. The voices of the throng gold buys. No single heart 'twill win for thee ; Wouldst thou a maiden make thy prize, Thyself alone the bribe must be. If by no sacred tie thou'rt bound, Oh, youth, thou must thyself restrain ! Well may true liberty be found. Though man may seem to wear a chain. Let one alone inflame thee e'er. And if her heart with love o'erflows, Let tenderness unite you there. If duty's self no fetter knows. First feel, oh, youth ! A girl then find Worthy thy choice, — let her choose thee, In body fair, and fair in mind, And then thou wilt be blest, like me. I who have made this art mine own, A girl have chosen such as this ; The blessing of the priest alone Is wanting to complete our bliss. Nought but my rapture is her guide. Only for me she cares to please, — Ne'er wanton save when by my side. And modest wlien the world she sees. That time our glow may never chill. She yields no right through frailty ; POEMS OF GOETHE 27 Her favour is a favour still, And I must ever grateful be. Yet I'm content, and full of joy, If she'll but grant her smile so sweet, Or if at table she'll employ, To pillow hers, her lover's feet ; Give me the apple that she bit. The glass from which she drank, bestow. And when my kiss so orders it. Her bosom, veiled till then, will show. And when she wills of love to speak, In fond and silent hours of bliss. Words from her mouth are all I seek, Nought else I crave, — not e'en a kiss. With what a soul her mind is fraught, Wreathed rouud with charms unceasingly ! She's perfect, — and she fails in nought Save in her deigning to love me. My reverence throws me at her feet. My louging throws me on her breast ; This, youth, is rapture true and sweet ; Be wise, thus seeking to be blest. When death shall take thee from her side, To join th' angelic choir above, In heaven's bright mansions to abide, — No diff'rence at the change thou'lt prove. MAIDEN WISHES. What pleasure to me A bridegroom would be ! When married we are, They call us mamma. 28 POEMS OF GOETHE No need then to sew, To school we ne'er go ; Command uncontrolled, Have maids whom to scold ; Choose clothes at our ease. Of what tradesmen we please ; Walk freely about. And go to each rout, And unrestrained are By papa or mamma. THE FAEEWELL. [Probably addressed to his mistress Frederica.] Let mine eye the farewell say. That my lips can utter ne'er ; Fain I'd be a man to-day, Yet 'tis hard, oh, hard to bear ! Mournful in an hour like this Is love's sweetest pledge, I ween ; Cold upon thy mouth the kiss, Faint thy fingers' pressure e'en. Oh, what rapture to my heart Used each stolen kiss to bring ! As the violets joy impart. Gathered in the early spring. Now no garlands I entwine, Now no roses pluck for thee, Though 'tis springtime, Fanny mine, Dreary autumn 'tis to me ! POEMS OF GOETHE 29 MOTIVES. If to a girl who loves us truly Her mother gives iustructiou July In virtue, duty, and what not, — And if she hearkens ne'er a jot, But witli fresh-strengthened longing flies To meet our kiss that seems to burn, — Caprice has just as much concern As love in her bold enterprise. But if her mother can succeed In gaining for her maxims heed. And softening the girl's heart too. So that she coyly shuns our view, — The heart of youth she knows but ill ; For when a maiden is thus stern. Virtue in truth has less concern In this, than an inconstant will. THE LOVELY NIGHT. From the cot, where softly sleeping Lies my bosom's love, I go, And with noiseless footstep creeping, Thread the dusty wood, when lo ! Bursts the moon through glade and greenwood, Soft the herald zephyrs play, And the waving birches sprinkle Sweetest incense on my way. How I revel in the coolness Of this beauteous summer night Stilly dreaming here the fulness Of the panting soul's dehght ! so POEMS OF GOETHE Words can paint not what my bliss is, Yet, kind heaven, I'd yield to thee Nights a thousand, fair as this is, Would my love give one to me ! LOVE'S DEEAM. Thou oft in dreams hast seen us stand Before the altar hand in hand. Thyself the bride, the bridegi'oom I. Oft on thy hps, when none were watching, I've hung, unnumbered kisses snatching. In hours of waking ecstasy. The purest rapture that we cherished. The bliss of hours so golden, perished Even with the hour that saw it rise. What reck that mine have been such blisses ? Fleeting as dreams are fondest kisses. And like a kiss all pleasure dies. LIVING REMEMBRANCE. Half vexed, half pleased, thy love wHl feel, Shouldst thou her knot or ribbon steal ; To thee they're much — I won't conceal ; Such self-deceit may pardoned })e ; A veil, a kerchief, garter, rings. In truth are no more trifling things, But still they're not enough for me. She who is dearest to my heart, Gave me, with well dissembled smart. Of her own life a living part. No charm in auglit beside I trace ; POEMS OF GOETHE 31 How do I scorn thy paltry ware ! A lock she gave me of the hair That wantons o'er her beauteous face. If, loved one, we must severed be, Wouldst thou not wholly fly from me, I still possess this legacy, To look at, and to kiss in play, — My fate is to the hair's allied, We used to woo her v^dth like pride, And now we both are far away. Her charms witli equal joy we pressed. Her smiling cheeks anon caressed. Lured onward by a yearning blest, Upon her heaving bosom fell. Oh, rival, free from envy's sway, Thou precious gift, thou beauteous prey, Kemain my joy and bliss to tell ! THE BLISS OF ABSENCE. 'Tis sweet for him, the livelong day that lies, Wrapt in the heaven of his dear lady's eyes, Whose dreams her image blesseth evermore. Love knoweth not a sharper joy than this, Yet greater, purer, nobler is the bliss, To be afar from her whom we adore ! Distance and Time, eternal powers, that be Still, like the stars, o'erruling secretly, Cradle this tempest of the blood to peace. Calm grows my soul, and calmer every hour. Yet daily feels my heart a springing power. And daily finds my happiness increase. 32 POEMS OF GOETHE All times she lives within my heart and brain, Yet can I think of her without a pain, My spirit soars away serene and free, And, by the strength of its divine emotion, Transforms its love to all a saint's devotion, Eefines desire into idolatry. The lightest cloudlet that doth fleck the sky, And floats along the sunshine airily, More lightly in its beauty floateth never. Than doth my heart, with tranquil joy elate. By fear untouched, for jealousy too great, I love, oh, yes, I love — I love her ever. TO LUNA. Sister of the earliest hght, Type of loveliness in sorrow. Silver mists thy radiance borrow, Even as they cross thy sight. When thou comest to the sky. In their dusky hollows waken. Spirits that are sad, forsaken, Bii-ds that shun the day, and I. Looking downward far and wide, Hidden things thou dost discover. Luna ! help a hapless lover, Lift him kindly to thy side ! Aided by thy friendly beams, Let him, through the lattice peeping. Look into the room where, sleeping, Lies the maiden of his dreams. Ah, I see her ! Now I gaze, Bending in a trance Elysian, POEMS OF GOETHE 33 And I strain my inmost vision, And I gather all thy rays. Bright and brighter yet I see Charms no envious robes encumber ; And she draws me to her slumber As Endymion once drew thee. THE WEDDING NIGHT. Within the chamber, far away From the glad feast, sits love in dread Lest guests disturb, in wanton play, The silence of the bridal bed. His torch's pale flame serves to gild The scene with mystic sacred glow, The room with incense-clouds is filled. That he may perfect rapture know. How beats thy heart, when thou dost hear The chimes that warn thy guests to fly 1 How glow'st thou for those lips so dear, That soon are mute, and nought deny ! With her into the holy place Thou hast'nest then to perfect all ; The fire the warder's hands embrace, Grows, hke a night-light, dim and smaU. How heaves the bosom, and how burns Her face at every fervent kiss ! Her coldness now to trembhng turns. Thy daring now a duty is. Love helps thee to undress her fast. But thou art twice as fast as he ; And then he shuts both eyes at last With sly and roguish modesty. 34 POEMS OF GOETHE MISCHIEVOUS JOY. As a butterfly renewed, When in life I breathed my last, To the spots my flight I wing, Scenes of heavenly rapture past, Over meadows to the spring, Eound the hill, and through the wood. Soon a tender pair I spy. And I look down from my seat On the beauteous maiden's head — When embodied there I meet All I lost as soon as dead, Happy as before am I. Him she clasps with silent smile, And his mouth the hour improves. Sent by kindly deities ; First from breast to mouth it roves, Then from mouth to hands it flies. And I round him sport the while. And she sees me hov'ring near ; Trembling at her lover's rapture. Up she springs — I fly away. " Dearest ! let's the insect capture ! Come ! I long to make my prey Yonder pretty little dear ! " NOVEMBER SONG. To the great archer — not to him To meet whom flies the sun, And wlio is wont his features dim With clouds to overrun — POEMS OF GOETHE 35 But to the boy be vowed these rhymes, Who 'uiougst the roses plays, Wlio hears us, and at proper times To pierce fair hearts essays. Through him the gloomy winter night. Of yore so cold and drear, Brings many a loved friend to our sight, And many a woman dear. Henceforward shall his image fair Stand in yon starry skies. And, ever mild and gi-acious there, Alternate set and rise. TO THE CHOSEN ONE. [This sweet song is doubtless one of those addressed to Frederica.] Hand in hand, and lip to lip ! Oh, be faithful, maiden dear ! Fare thee well ! thy lover's ship I'ast full many a rock must steer ; But should he the haven see. When the storm has ceased to break, And be happy, reft of thee, — May the gods fierce vengeance take ! Boldly dared is well-nigh won ! Half my task is solved aright; Every star's to me a sun. Only cowards deem it night. Stood I idly by thy side, Sorrow still would sadden me ; But when seas our patli divide, Gladly toil I, — toil for thee ! 36 POEA\S OF GOETHE Now the valley I perceive, Where together we will go, And the streamlet watch each eve, Ghduig peacefully below. Oh, the poplars on you spot ! Oh, the beech-trees in yon grove ! And behind we'll build a cot, Where to taste the joys of love! FIRST LOSS. Ah ! who'll ever those days restore, Those bright days of early love ! Who'll one hour again concede, Of that time so fondly cherished ! Silently my wounds I feed. And with wailing evermore Sorrow o'er each joy now perished. Ah ! who'll e'er the days restore Of that time so fondly cherished ! APPARENT DEATH. Weep, maiden, weep here o'er the tomb of Love ; He died of notliing — by mere chance was slain. But is he really dead ? — oh, that I cannot prove : A nothing, a mere chance, oft gives him life again. AFTER - SENSATIONS. When the vine again is blowing, Then the wine moves in the cask ; When the rose again is glowing, Wherefore should I feel oppressed ? POEMS OF GOETHE 37 Down my cheeks run tears all-burning, If I do, or leave my task ; I but feel a speechless yearning, That pervades my inmost breast. But at length I see the reason, When the question I would ask: 'Twas in such a beauteous season, Doris glowed to make me blest ! PRESENCE. All things give token of thee ! As soon as the bright sun is shining, Thou too wilt follow, I trust. Wlien in the garden thou walkest. Thou then art the rose of all roses, Lily of lilies as well. When thou dost move in the dance. Then each constellation moves also ; With thee and round thee they move. Night ! oh, what bliss were the night ! For then thou o'ershadow'st the lustre, Dazzhng and fair, of the moon. Dazzling and beauteous art thou. And flowers, and moon, and the planets Homage pay. Sun, but to thee. Sun ! to me also be thou Creator of days bright and glorious ; Life and Eternity this ! 38 POEMS OF GOETHE SEPAEATIOK I THINK of thee whene'er the sun is glowing Upon the lake ; Of thee, when in the crystal fountain flowing The moonbeams shake. I see thee when the wanton wind is busy, And dust-clouds rise ; In the deep night, when o'er the bridge so dizzy The wanderer hies. I hear thee when the waves, with hollow roaring. Gush forth their fill ; Often along the heath I go exploring, When all is still. I am with thee ! Though far thou art and darkling, Yet art thou near. The sun goes down, the stars will soon be sparkling - Oh, wert thou here. TO THE DISTANT ONE. And have I lost thee evermore. Hast thou, oh, fair one, from me flown ? Still in mine ear sounds, as of yore, Thine every word, thine every tone. As when at morn the wanderer's eye Attempts to pierce the air in vain, Wlien, hidden in the azure sky, The lark high o'er him chants his strain POEMS OF GOETHE 39 So do I cast my troubled gaze Through bush, through forest, o'er the lea ; Thou art iuvoked by all my lays ; Oh, come then, loved oue, back to me ! BY THE RIVER Flow on, ye lays so loved, so fair, On to Oblivion's ocean flow ! May no rapt boy recall you e'er. No maiden in her beauty's glow ! My love alone was then your theme. But now she scorns my passion true. Ye were but written in the stream ; As it flows on, then flow ye too ! THE EXCHANGE. The stones in the streamlet I make my bright pillow. And open my arms to the swift-rolling billow. That lovingly hastens to fall on my breast. Then fickleness soon bids it onwards be flowing ; A second draws nigh, its caresses bestowing, — And so by a twofold enjoyment I'm blest. And yet thou art trailing in sorrow and sadness The moments that life, as it flies, gave for gladness. Because by thy love thou'rt remembered no more ! Oh, call back to mind former days and their blisses ! The lips of the second will give as sweet kisses As any the lips of the first gave before ! 40 POEMS OF GOETHE FAEEWELL. To break one's word is pleasure-fraught, To do one's duty gives a smart ; AVhile man, alas ! will promise nought, That is repugnant to his heart. Using some magic strain of yore, Thou lurest him, when scarcely calm, On to sweet folly's fragile bark once more, Renewing, doubhng chance of harm. Why seek to hide thyself from me ? Fly not my sight — be open then ? Known late or early it must be. And here thou hast thy word again. My duty is fulfilled to-day. No longer will I guard thee from surprise ; But, oh, forgive the friend who from thee turns away, And to himself for refuge fhes ! WELCOME AND DEPAETUEE. [Another of the love-songs addressed to Frederica.] To horse ! — away, o'er hill and steep ! Into the saddle blithe I sprung ; The eve was cradling earth to sleep. And night upon the mountain hung. With robes of mist around him set, The oak like some huge giant stood, While witli its liundred eyes of jet, Peered darkness from the tangled wood. POEMS OF GOETHE 41 Amidst a bank of clouds, the moon A sad and troubled glimmer shed ; The wind its chilly wings unclosed, And whistled wildly round my head. Night framed a thousand phantoms dire, Yet did I never droop nor start ; Within my veins what living fire ! What quenchless glow within my heart ! We met ; and from thy glance a tide Of stifling joy flowed into me : My heart was wholly by thy side, My every breath was breathed for thee. A blush was there, as if thy cheek The gentlest hues of spring had caught, And smiles so kind for me ! — Great powers ! I hoped, yet I deserved them not ! / But morning came to end my bliss ; A long, a sad farewell we took ; What joy — what rapture in thy kiss, What depth of anguish in thy look ! I left thee, sweet ! but after me, Thine eyes through tears looked from above ; Yet to be loved — what ecstasy ! What ecstasy, ye gods, to love ! NEW LOVE, NEW LIFE. [Written at the time of Goethe's connection with Lili.] Heart ! my heart ! what means this feeling ? What oppresseth thee so sore ? What strange life is o'er me stealing ! I acknowledge thee no more, 42 POEMS OF GOETHE Fled is all that gave thee gladness, Fled the cause of all thy sadness, Fled thy peace, thine industry — Ah, why suffer it to be ? Say, do beauty's graces youthful, Does this form so fair and bright, Does this gaze, so kind, so truthful, Chain thee with unceasing might ? Would I tear me from her boldly. Courage take, and fly her coldly. Back to her I'm forthwith led By the path I seek to tread. By a thread I ne'er can sever. For 'tis 'twined with magic skill, Doth the cruel maid for ever Hold me fast against my will. Wliile those magic charms confine me. To her will I must resign me. Ah, the change in truth is great ! Love ! kind love ! release me straight ! ^o^ TO BELINDA. [This .son£^ was also written for Lili. Goethe mentions, at the end of his Autobiograpliy, that he overheard her singing it one evening after he had taken his last farewell of her.] With resistless power why dost thou press me Into scenes so bright ? Had I not — good youth — so much to bless me In the lonely night ? In my little chamber close I found me, In the moon's cold beams ; And there quivering light fell softly round me, Wliile I lay in dreams. POE.MS OF GOETHE 43 And by hours of pure unmingled pleasure, All my dreams were blest, While 1 felt her image, as a treasure, Deep within my breast. Is it I, she at the table places, 'Mid so many lights ? Yes, to meet intolerable faces. She her slave invites. Ah ! the Spring's fresh fields no longer cheer me, Flowers no sweetness bring Angel, where thou art, all sweets are near me, — Love, Nature, and Spring. WITH AN EMBROTDEKED RIBBON. Little flowerets, little leaflets. Have they woven with fairy hand, Playful sunny elves of springtide, Lightly called at my command. Zephyr, bear it on thy pinions, Drop it on my darling's dress, So she'll pass before the mirror In her double loveliness. She, of roses still the fairest, Ro.ses shall around her see ; Give me but one look, my dearest, And I ask no more of thee. Feel but what this heart is feeling — Frankly place thy hand in mine — Trust me, love, the tie which binds us. Is no fragile rosy twiue. 44 POEMS OF GOETHE SECOND LIFE. After life's departing sigh, To the spots I loved most dearly, In the sunshine and the shadow. By the fountain weUing clearly, Through the wood and o'er the meadow. Flit I like a butterfly. There a gentle pair I spy. Round the maiden's tresses flying, From her chaplet I discover All that I had lost in dying, Still with her and with her lover, Who so happy then as I ? For she smiles with laughing eyes ; And his lips to her he presses, Vows of passion interchanging. Stifling her with sweet caresses, O'er her budding beauties ranging ; And around the twain I fly. And she sees me fluttering nigh ; And beneath his ardour trembling, Starts she up — then off I hover. " Look there, dearest ! " Thus dissembling, Speaks the maiden to her lover — " Come and catch that butterfly ! " TO MY MISTRESS. All that's lovely speaks of thee ! When the glorious sun appeareth, 'Tis thy harbinger to me : Only thus he cheereth. POEMS OF GOETHE 45 In the garden where thou go'st, There art thou the rose of roses, First of HUes, fragranfe most Of the fragrant posies. When thou movest in the dance, All the stars with thee are moving And around thee gleam and glance. Never tired of loving. Night ! — and would the night were here ! Yet the moon would lose her duty ; Though her sheen be soft and clear, Softer is thy beauty ! Fair, and kind, and gentle one ! Do not moon, and stars, and flowers Pay that homage to their sun, That we pay to ours ? Sun of mine, that art so dear — Sun, that art above all sorrow ! Shine, I pray thee, on me here Till the eternal morrow ! FLOWER - SALUTE. Tins nosegay, — 'twas / dressed it. Greets thee a thousand times ! Oft stooped I, and caressed it, Ah ! full a thousand times, And 'gainst my bosom pressed it, A hundred thousand times ! 46 POEMS OF GOETHE WITH A GOLDEN NECKLACE. Accept, dear maid, this little token, A supple chain that fain would lie, And keep its tiny hnks unbroken Upon a neck of ivory. Pray, then, exalt it to this duty. And change its humbleness to pride ; By day it will adorn your beauty. By night 'tis quickly laid aside. But if another hand should proffer A chain of weightier, closer kind. Think twice ere you accept the ofifer ; For there are chains will not unbind. MAY SONG. How gloriously gleameth All nature to me ! How bright the sun beameth. How fresh is the lea ! White blossoms are bursting The thickets among, And all the gay greenwood Is ringing with song ! There's radiance and rapture That nought can destroy, earth, in thy sunshine, heart, in thy joy ! POEMS OF GOETHE 47 love ! thou enchanter, So golden and briglit — Like the red clouds of morning That rest on yon height ; — It is thou that art clothing The fields and the bowers, And everywhere breathing The incense of flowers ! maiden ! dear maiden ! How well I love thee — Thine eye, how it kindles In answer to me ! Oh ! well the lark loveth Its song 'midst the blue ; Oh, gladly the flowerets Expand to the dew. And so do I love thee ; For all that is best, 1 draw from thy beauty To gladden my breast ! And all ray heart's music Is thrilling for thee ! Be evermore blest, love, And loving to me ! 48 POEMS OF GOETHE ON THE LAKE. [This little poem was composed during a tour in Switzerland in 1775. Several others in this series belong to the same period, be- ing that when Goethe's passion for Anna Elizabeth Schonemaun, the Lili of his poems, was at its height.] And here I drink new blood, fresh food From world so free, so blest ; How sweet is nature and how good Who holds me to her breast ! The waves are cradling up our boat, The oars are beating time ; Mountains we meet that seem afloat In heav'nly clouds sublime. Wliy, my eye, art downward turning ? Golden dreams, are ye returning ? Dream, though gold, I thee repel ; Love and hfe here also dwell. 'Neath the waves are sinking Stars from heaven sparkling ; Soft white mists are drinking. Distance towering, darkhng, Morning wind is fanning Trees by the bay that root. And its image scanning Is the ripening fruit. POEMS OF GOETHE 49 FROM THE MOUNTAIN. [Written just after the preceding one, on a mountain overlooking the Lake of Zui'ich.] Dearest Lili, if I did not love thee, How tiauspoiting were a scene like this ! Yet, luy Lili, if I did not love thee, What were any bliss ? MAY SONG. Between wheat-field and corn, Between hedgerow and thorn, Between pasture and tree, Where is my sweetheart ? Tell it me ! Sweetheart caught I Not at home ; She's then, thought I, Gone to roam. Fair and loving Blooms sweet May, Sweetheart's roving, Free and gay. By the rock near the wave. Where her first kiss she gave. On the greensward, to me, — Something I see ! Is it she ? With a master all smoothly goes Who what he bids, himself well knows. go POEMS OF GOETHE EARLY SPEING. Come ye so early, Days of delight ? Making the hillside Bhthesome and bright ? Merrily, merrily, Little brooks rush, Down by the meadow, Under the bush. Welkin and hilltop, Azure and cool ; Fishes are sporting In streamlet and pool. Birds of gay feather Flit through the gxove, Singing together Ditties of love. Busily coming From moss-covered bowers, Brown bees are humming, Questing for flowers. Lightsome emotion. Life everywhere ; Faint wafts of fragrance Scenting the air. Now comes there sounding A sough of the breeze, Shakes through the thicket, Sinks in the trees. POEMS OF GOETHE 5I Sinks, but returning, It rullles my hair ; Aid me this rapture, Muses, to bear ! Know ye the passion That stirs in me here ? Yester e'en at gloaming Was I with my dear ! IN SUMMER How plain and height With dewdrops are bright ! How pearls have crowned The plants all around ! How sighs the breeze Through thicket and trees ! How loudly in the sun's clear rays The sweet birds carol forth their lays ! But, ah ! above. When saw I my love. Within her room, Small, mantled in gloom, Enclosed around, Where sunlight was drowned, How little then was earth to me, With aU its beauteous majesty ! AUTUMN FEELINGS. Flourish greener, as ye clamber, O ye leaves, to seek my chamber. Up the trellised vine on high ! May ye swell, twin-berries tender. 52 POEMS OF GOETHE Juicier far, — and with more splendour Ripen, and more speedily ! O'er ye broods the sun at even As he sinks to rest, and heaven Softly breathes into your ear All its fertilising fulness, While the moon's refreshing coolness, Magic-laden, hovers near ; And, alas ! ye're watered ever By a stream of tears that rill From mine eyes, — tears ceasing never, Tears of love that nought can still ! EESTLESS LOVE. Through rain, through snow, Through tempest go ! 'Mongst steaming caves, O'er misty waves, On, on ! still on ! Peace, rest have flown ! Sooner through sadness I'd wish to be slain. Than all the gladness Of life to sustain ; All the fond yearning That heart feels for heart, Only seems burning To make them both smart. How shall I fly ? Forestwards hie ? Vain were all strife ! Bright crown of life. Turbulent bhss, — Love, thou art this ! POEMS OF GOETHE 53 THE SHEPHERD'S LAMENT. Up yonder ou the mountain, I dwelt for days together ; Looked down into the valley, This pleasant summer weather. My sheep go feeding onward. My dog sits watching by ; I've wandered to the valley. And yet I know not why. The meadow, it is pretty, With flowers so fair to see ; I gather them, but no one Will take the flowers from me. The good tree gives me shadow, And shelter from the rain ; But yonder door is silent. It will not ope again ! I see the rainbow bending, Above her old abode. But she is there no longer ; They've taken my love abroad. They took her o'er the mountains. They took her o'er the sea ; Move on, move on, my bonny sheep, There is no rest for me ! 54 POEMS OF GOETHE NIGHT SONG. When on thy pillow lying, Half listen, I implore, And at my lute's soft sighing. Sleep on ! what wouldst thou more ? For at my lute's soft sighing The stars their blessings pour On feehngs never-dying ; Sleep on ! what wouldst thou more ? Those feehngs never-dying My spirit aid to soar From earthly conflicts trying ; Sleep on ! what wouldst thou more ? From earthly confhcts trying Thou driv'st me to this shore ; Through thee I'm hither flying, — Sleep on ! what wouldst thou more ? Through thee I'm hither flying. Thou wilt not list before In slumbers thou art lying : Sleep on ! what wouldst thou more ? COMFORT IN TEARS. How is it that thou art so sad When others are so gay ? Thou hast been weeping — nay, thou hast ! Thine eyes the truth betray. POEMS OF GOETHE 55 " And if I may not choose but weep, Is not my grief mine own ? No heart was heavier yet for tears — Oh, leave me, friend, alone ! " Come join this once the merry band, They call aloud for thee, And mourn no more for what is lost, But let the past go free. " Oh, little know ye in your mirth. What wrings my heart so deep ! I have not lost the idol yet, For which I sigh and weep." Then rouse thee and take heart ! thy blood Is young and full of tire ; Youth should have hope and might to win, And wear its best desire. " Oh, never may I hope to gain What dwells from me so far ; It stands as high, it looks as bright, As yonder burning star." Wliy, who would seek to woo the stars Down from their glorious sphere ? Enough it is to worship them, When nights are calm and clear. " Oh, I look up and worship too — My star it shines by day — Then let me weep the livelong night The whilst it is away." 56 POEMS OF GOETHE LONGING. What stirs in my heart so ? What lures me from home ? What forces me outwards, And onwards to roam ? Far up on the mountains Lie cloudlets hke snow ; Oh, were I but yonder, 'Tis there I must go ! Now by come the ravens So solemn and black ; I mingle among them, And follow their track : By rock and by turret We silently glide ; Ah, there is the bower, where My lady doth bide ! She walks in the greenwood, That beautiful May ; Like a bird singing clearly, I drop on the spray. She hsts, and she lingers, And softly says she — How sweetly it singeth, It singeth for me ! " The sunset is gilding The peaks of the hill. The day is declining. Yet tarries she still : She follows the brooklet Through meadow and glade, Till dark is the pathway, And lost in the shade. POEMS OF GOETHE 57 Then, tlieu I come down, as A swift-shooting star ; " What Hght ghtters yonder, So near yet so far ? " Ere yet the amazement Hath passed from thee, sweet, My quest it is ended, I lie at thy feet ! THE CASTLE ON THE MOUNTAIN. There stands an ancient castle On yonder mountain height, Where, fenced with door and portal, Once tarried steed and knight. But gone are door and portal, And all is hushed and still ; O'er ruined wall and rafter I clamber as I will. A cellar with many a vintage Once lay in yonder nook ; Where now are the cellarer's flagons And w^here is his jovial look ? No more he sets the beakers For the guests at the wassail feast ; Nor fills a flask from the oldest cask For the duties of the priest. No more he gives on the staircase The stoup to the thirsty squires, And a hurried thanks for the hurried gift Keceives, nor more requires. S8 POEMS OF GOETHE For burned are roof and rafter, And they hang begrimed and black; And stair, and hall, and chapel, Are turned to dust and wrack. Yet, as with song and cittern, One day when the sun was bright, I saw my love ascending The slopes of yon rocky height ; From the hush and desolation Sweet fancies did unfold, And it seemed as they had come back again, The jovial days of old. As if the stateliest chambers For noble guests were spread, And out from the prime of that glorious time A youth a maiden led. And, standing in the chapel, The good old priest did say, " Will ye wed with one another ? " And we smiled and answered " Yea ! " We sung, and our hearts they bounded To the thrilling lays we sung, And every note was doubled By the echo's catching tongue. And when, as eve descended. The hush grew deep and still. And the setting sun looked upward On that great castled hill ; Then far and wide, like lord and bride, In the radiant light we shone — POEMS OF GOETHE 59 It pauk ; and again the ruins Stood desolate and lone ! TO MIGNON. Over vale and torrent far EoUs along the sun's bright car. Ah ! he wakens in his course Mine, as thy deep-seated smart In the heart, Ev'ry morning with new force. Scarce avails night aught to me ; E'en the visions that I see Come but in a mournful guise ; And I feel tliis silent smart In my heart With creative power arise. During many a beauteous year I have seen ships 'neath me steer, As they seek the shelt'ring bay ; But, alas, each lasting smart In my heart Floats not with the stream away. I must wear a gala dress. Long stored up within my press, For to-day to feasts is given ; None know with what bitter smart Is my heart Fearfully and madly riven. Secretly I weep each tear. Yet can cheerful e'en appear, 6o POEMS OF GOETHE With a face of healthy red ; For if deadly were this smart In my heart, Ah, I then had long been dead ! SPIRIT GREETING. Upon a tower antique and high Stood ghost of hero brave, Who, as the ship went sailing by. This " God-speed " to her gave. " See I these my sinews stark were once, This heart beat fast and wild, Of knightly marrow full these bones. Brimful this goblet filled. " Half of my hfe in storm was passed, Half wasted was in ease. Speed, human cargo, far and fast, On, on, before the breeze ! " TO A GOLDEN HEART HE WAS WEARING ON HIS NECK. [Addressed, durin"; the Swiss tour already mentioned, to a pres- ent Lili had given him during the time of their happy connection, which was then about to be terminated for ever.] Tiiou, of joy that died away, the token Which as yet I on my neck am wearing. Longer hold'st us twain, thou mental tie that's broken ? Art thou the length of love's short days repairing ? POEMS OF GOETHE 6i Flee I, Lili, from thee ! Must still, tied to thy fetter, Like unto a debtor. Roam iu strange lands, through vales and forests darting ! Ah ! not so soon could this my heart from My Lih's heart be parting. Like a bird that erst did break his string, And to the wood returns. He drags of his prison the disgrace. Still some bit of the string on his trace ; No longer the old bird, once born with freedom's wing ; Has been a slave where'er he turns. WANDERER'S NIGHT -SONG. Thou that from the heavens art. Every pain and sorrow stillest, And the doubly wretched heart Doubly with refreshment fillest, I am weary with contending ! Why this rapture and unrest ? Peace descending, Come, ah, come into my breast ! O'er all the hilltops Is quiet now, In all the tree-tops Hearest thou Hardly a breath ; The birds are asleep in the trees Wait ; soon like these Thou, too, shalt rest. 62 POEMS OF GOETHE ILM, THE RIVER, TO THE MOON. FiLLEST hill and vale again, Still with softening light ! Loosest from the world's cold chain All my soul to-night ! Spreadest round me far and nigh. Soothingly, thy smile ; From thee, as from friendship's eye, Sorrow shrinks the while. Every echo thrills my heart, — Glad and gloomy mood, Joy and sorrow hoth have part In my solitude. River, river, glide along ! I am sad, alas ! Fleeting tilings are love and song, — Even so they pass. I have had and T have lost What I long for yet ; Ah ! why will we, to our cost, Simple joys forget ? River, river, glide along. Without stop or stay ! Murnuir, whisper to my song In melodious play. Wliether on a winter's niglit Rise thy swelling floods, Or in spring thou hast delight Watering the young buds. POEMS OF GOETHE 63 Happy he who, hating none, Leaves the world's dull noise, And, with trusty friends alone, Quietly enjoys Wliat, for ever unexpressed, Hid from common sight, Through the mazes of the breast Softly steals by night ! HUNTSMAN'S EVENING SONG. In silence sad, from heath to hill With rifle slung I glide. But thy dear shape, it haunts me still. It hovers by my side. Across the brook, and past the mill, I watch thee gaily fleet ; Ah, does one shape, that ne'er is still, E'er cross thy fancy, sweet ? 'Tis his, who, tortured by unrest, Eoams ever to and fro, Now ranging east, now ranging west, Since forced from thee to go. And yet at times the thought of thee. Like moonlight in a dream, Doth bring, I know not how, to me Content and peace supreme. 64 POEMS OF GOETHE EVENING. [Written at night on the Kickelhahn, a hill in the forest of Ilmenau, on the walls of a little hermitage where Goethe com- posed the last act of his " Iphigenia."] Peace breathes along the shade Of every hill, The tree-tops of the glade Are hushed and still ; All woodland murmurs cease, The birds to rest within the brake are gone. Be patient, weary heart — anon, Thou, too, shalt be at peace ! TO LINA. LiNA, rival of the linnet. When these lays shall reach thy hand, Please transfer them to the spinnet, Where thy friend was wont to stand. Set the diapason ringing, Ponder not the words you see. Give them utterance by thy singing. Then each leaf belongs to thee. With the life of music fill them ; Cold the written verses seem. That, would Lina deign to trill them, Might be trancing as a dream. POEiWS OF GOETHE 65 EVER AND EVERYWHERE. Far explore the mountain hollow, High iu air the clouds then follow ! To each brook and vale the Muse Thousand times her call renews. Soon as flow'ret blooms in spring, It wakens many a .strain ; And when Time spreads his fleeting wing The seasons come again. DELIGHT OF SORROW. Dry not up, dry not up. Tears shed by love everlasting ! Ah ! to the eye that half only dried is, How dreary, how dead the world does appear ! Dry not up, dry not up. Tears my love unhappy is shedding ! PROXIMITY. I KNOW not wherefore, dearest love. Thou often art so strange and coy ! Wlien 'mougst man's busy haunts we move, Thy coldness puts to flight my joy. But soon as night and silence round us reign, I know thee by thy kisses sweet again ! 66 POEMS OF GOETHE A NIGHT THOUGHT. I DO not envy you, ye joyless stars, Though fair ye be, and glorious to the sight — The seaman's hope amidst the 'whelming storm, When help from God or man there cometh none. No ! for ye love not, nor have ever loved ! Through the broad fields of heaven, the eternal hours Lead on your circling spheres unceasingly. How vast a journey have ye travelled o'er, Since I, upon the bosom of my love, Forgot all memory of night or you ! PETITION. Oh, thou sweet maiden fair, Thou with the raven hair, Why to the window go ? While gazing down below, Art standing vainly there ? Oh, if thou stood'st for me, And lett'st the latch but fly, How happy should I be ! How soon would I leap high \ TO HIS COY ONE. Seest thou yon smiling orange ? Upon the tree still hangs it ; Already March hath vanished, And new-born flowers are shooting. I draw nigli to the tree then, And there I say : O orange, POEMS OF GOETHE 67 Thou ripe and juicy orange, Thou sweet aud luscious orange, I shake the tree, I shake it. Oh, fall into my lap. ROLLICKING HANS. Hallo there ! A glass ! Ha ! the draught's truly sweet! If for drink go on my shoes, I shall still have my feet. A maiden and wine. With sweet music and song, — I would they w^ere mine, All life's journey along ! If I depart from this sad sphere, And leave a will behind me here, A suit at law will be preferred, But as for thanks, — the deuce a word I So ere I die, I squander all. And that's a proper will I call. HIS COMRADE. Hallo there ! A glass ! Ha ! the draught's truly sweet ! If thou keepest thy shoes. Thou wilt then spare thy feet. A maiden and wine, With sweet nmsic and song, On payment, are thine, All hfe's journey along ! 68 POEMS OF GOETHE TO LIDA. The only one whom, Lida, thou canst love, Thou claim'st, and rightly claim'st, for only thee ; He, too, is wholly thine ; since doomed to rove Far from thee, in life's turmoils nought I see Save a thin veil, through which thy form I view. As though in clouds ; with kindly smile and true, It cheers me, like the stars eterne that gleam Across the northern hghts' far-fiick'ring beam. RECIPEOCAL. My mistress, where sits she ? What is it that charms ? The absent she's rocking. Held fast in her arms. In pretty cage prisoned She holds a bird still ; Yet lets him fly from her, Whenever he will. He pecks at her finger. And pecks at her lips, And hovers and flutters. And round her he skips. Then hasten thou homeward, In fashion to be ; If thou hast the maiden, She also hath thee. POEA\S OF GOETHE 69 THE FREEBOOTER No door has my house, No house has my door ; And in and out ever I carry my store. No grate has my kitchen, No kitchen my grate ; Yet roasts it and boils it Both early and late. My bed has no trestles. My trestles no bed ; Yet merrier moments No mortal e'er led. My cellar is lofty, My barn is full deep, From top to the bottom, — There lie I and sleep. And soon as I waken. All moves on its race ; My place has no fixture, My fixture no place. JOY AND SORROW. As fisher-boy I fared To the black rock in the sea, And, while false gifts I prepared, Listened aud sang merrily. 70 POEMS OF GOETHE Down descended the decoy, Soon a fish attacked the bait ; One exulting shout of joy, — And the fish was captured straight. Ah ! on shore, and to the wood. Past the cliffs, o'er stock and stone, One foot's traces I pursued, And the maiden was alone. Lips were silent, eyes downcast As a clasp-knife snaps the bait. With her snare she seized me fast. And the boy was captured straight. Heaven knows who's the happy swain That she rambles with anew ! I must dare the sea again, Spite of wind and weather, too. When the great and little fish Wail and flounder in my net, Straight returns my eager wish In her arms to revel yet ! MARCH. The snowflakes fall in showers, The time is absent still, When all Spring's beauteous flowers. When all Spring's beauteous flowers Our hearts with joy shall fill. With lustre false and fleeting The sun's bright rays are thrown ; The swallow's self is cheating, The swallow's self is cheating ; And why ? He comes alone ! POEMS OF GOETHE 71 Can I e'er feel delighted Alone, though Spring is near ? Yet when we are united, Yet when we are united, The summer will be here. APRIL. Tell me, eyes, what 'tis ye're seeking ; For ye're saying something sweet, Fit the ravished ear to greet. Eloquently, softly speaking. Yet I see now why ye're ro%dng ; For behind those eyes so bright, To itself abandoned quite, Lies a bosom, truthful, loviug, — One that it must fill with pleasure 'Mongst so many, dull and blind, One true look at length to find, That its worth can rightly treasure. Whilst I'm lost in studying ever To explain these ciphers duly, — To unravel my books truly In return be your endeavour ! MAY. Light and sUVry cloudlets hover In the air, as yet scarce warm ; ]\Iild, with glimmer soft tinged over, Peeps the sun through fragrant balm. 72 POEMS OF GOETHE Gently rolls and heaves the ocean As its waves the bank o'erflow, And with ever restless motion Moves the verdure to and fro, Mirrored brightly far below. What is now the fohage moving ? Air is stni, and hush'd the breeze, Sultriness, this fulness loviug, Through the thicket, from the trees. Now the eye at once gleams brightly, See ! the infaut band with mirth Moves and dances nimbly, lightly. As the morning gave it birth, riutt'ring two and two o'er earth. JUNE. She behind yon mountain lives, Who my love's sweet guerdon gives. Tell me, mount, how this can be. Very glass thou seem'st to me ! And I seem to be close by, For I see her drawing nigh ; Now, because I'm absent, sad. Now, because she sees me, glad. Soon between us rise to sight Valleys cool, with bushes light, Streams and meadows ; next appear Mills and wheels, the surest token That a level spot is near. Plains far-stretching and unbroken. And so onwards, onwards roam, To my garden and my home ! POEMS OF GOETHE 73 But how comes it then to pass ? All tlds gives no joy, alas ! — I was ravished by her sight, By her eyes so fair and bright, By her footstep soft and light. How her peerless charms I praised, When from head to foot I gazed ! I am here, she's far away, — I am gone, with her to stay. If on rugged hills she wander, If she haste the vale along. Pinions seem to flutter yonder, And the air is filled with song ; With the glow of youth still playing Joyous vigour in each limb. One in silence is delaying. She alone 'tis blesses him. Love, thou art too fair, I ween ! Fairer I have never seen ! From the heart full easily Blooming flowers are culled by thee. If I think : " Oh, were it so," Bone and marrow seem to glow ! If rewarded by her love. Can I greater rapture prove ? And still fairer is the bride. When in me she will confide, When she speaks and lets me know AU her tale of joy and woe. All her lifetime's history Now is fully known to me. Who in child or woman e'er Soul and body found so fair? 74 POEMS OF GOETHE NEXT YEAR'S SPEING. The bed of flowers Loosens amain, The beauteous snowdrops Drop o'er the plain. The crocus opens Its glowing bud, Like emeralds others, Others, like blood. With saucy gesture Primroses flare. And roguish violets Hidden with care ; And whatsoever There stirs and strives. The Spring's contented, It works and thrives. 'Mongst all the blossoms That fairest are. My sweetheart's sweetness Is sweetest far ; Upon me ever Her glances light, My song they waken My words make bright. An ever open And blooming mind. In sport, unsullied, In earnest, kind. Though roses and lilies By summer are brought, Against my sweetheart Prevails he nought. SWISS SONG. Up in the mountain I was a-sitting. With the bird there As my guest. Blithely singing. Blithely springing. And building His nest. In the garden I was a-standing. And the bee there Saw as well. Buzzing, humming. Going, coming. And building His cell. O'er the meadow I was a-going. And there saw the Butterflies, Sipping, dancing, riymg, glancing, And charming The eyes. And then came my Dear Hansel, And I showed them With glee, Sipping, quaffing. And he, laughing. Sweet kisses Gave me. POEMS OF GOETHE 7$ SICILIAN SONG. Ye black and roguish eyes, If ye coiuuiaud, Each house in ruiu lies, No town can stand. Aud shall my bosom's chain,- This plaster wall, — To think one moment, deign,- Shall it not fall ? AT MIDNIGHT HOUR [Goethe relates that a remarkable situation he was in one bright moonlight night led to the composition of this sweet song, which was " the dearer to him because he could not say whence it came and whither it would."] At midnight hour I went, not willingly, A little, little boy, yon churchyard past. To Father Vicar's house ; the stars on high On all around their beauteous radiance cast. At midnight hour. And when, in journeying o'er the path of life. My love I followed, as she onwaid moved, "With stars and northern lights o'erhead in strife. Going and coming, perfect bliss I proved At midnight hour. Until at length the full moon, lustre-fraught. Burst thro' the gloom wherein she was enshrined ; And then the willing, active, rapid thought Around the past, as round the future twinied. At midnight hour. 76 POEMS OF GOETHE TO THE EISING FULL MOON. Dornburg, 25th August, 1828. Wilt thou suddenly enshroud thee, Who this moment wert so nigh ? Heavy rising masses cloud thee, Thou art hidden from mine eye. Yet my sadness thou well knowest, Gleaming sweetly as a star ! That I'm loved, 'tis thou that showest, Though my loved one may be far. Upward mount then ! clearer, milder, Eobed in splendour far more bright ! Though my heart with grief throbs wilder, Fraught with rapture is the night ! THE BRIDEGROOM.i I SLEPT, — 'twas midnight, — in my bosom woke. As though 'twere day, my love-o'erflowing heart ; To me it seemed like night, when day first broke ; What is't to me, whate'er it may impart ? She was away ; the world's unceasing strife For her alone I suffered through the heat Of sultry day ; oh, what refreshing life At cooling eve ! — my guerdon was complete. The sun now set, and wand'ring hand in hand, His last and blissful look we greeted then ; While spake our eyes, as they each other scanned : " From the far east, let's trust, he'll come again ! " 1 Not in the English sense of the word, but the German, where it has the meaning of betrothed. POEMS OF GOETHE . 77 At miduight ! — the bright stars, iu vision blest, Guide to the threshold where she slumbers calm ; Oh, be it miue, there too at length to rest, — Yet howsoe'er this prove, life's full of charm ! SUCH, SUCH IS HE WHO PLEASETH ME. Fly, dearest, fly ! He is not nigh ! He who found thee one fair morn in Spring In the wood where thou thy flight didst wing. Fly, dearest, fly ! He is not nigh ! Never rests the foot of evil spy. Hark ! flutes' sweet strains and love's refrains Eeach the loved one, borne there by the wind. In the soft heart open doors they find. Hark ! flutes' sweet strains and love's refrains, Hark ! — yet bhssful love their echo pains. Erect his head, and firm his tread, Raven hair around his smootli brow strays, On his cheeks a spring eternal plays. Erect his head, and firm his tread, And by grace his ev'ry step is led. Happy his breast, with pureness blessed. And the dark eyes 'neath his eyebrows placed, With full many a beauteous line are graced. Happy his breast, with pureness blessed. Soon as seen, thy love must be confessed. His mouth is red — its power I dread. On his lips morn's fragrant incense lies, Round his lips the cooHng zephyr sighs. His mouth is red — its power I dread. With one glance from him, all sorrow's fled. 78 . POEMS OF GOETHE His blood is true, his heart bold too, In his soft arms, strength, protection, dwells, And his face with noble pity swells. His blood is true, his heart bold too. Blest the one whom those dear arms may woo ! GIPSY SONG. In the drizzling mist, with the snow high-piled. In the winter night, in the forest wild, I heard the wolves with their ravenous howl, I heard the screaming note of the owl r Wille wau wau wau ! Wille wo wo wo ! Wito hu ! I shot, one day, a cat in the ditch — The dear black cat of Anna the witch ; Upon me, at night, seven were-wolves came down, Seven women they were, from out of the town. Wille wau wau wau ! Wille wo wo wo ! Wito hu ! I knew them all ; ay, I knew them straight ; First, Anna, then Ursula, Eve, and Kate, And Barbara, Lizzy, and Bet as well : And forming a ring, they began to yell : Wille wau wau wau ! Wille wo wo wo ! Wito hu ! Then called I their names with angry threat : "What wouldst thou, Anna? What wouldst thou. Bet ? " POEMS OF GOETHE 79 At hearing my voice, themselves they shook, And howling and yelling, to flight they took. Wille wau wau wau ! Wille wo wo wo ! Wito hu ! THE DESTRUCTION OF MAGDEBURG. [For a fine account of the fearful sack of Magdeburg, by Tilly, in the year 1631, see Schiller's "History of the Thirty Years' War."] Oh, Magdeburg, the town ! Fair maids thy beauty c^o^vn, Thy charms fair maids and matrons crown ; Oh, Magdeburg, the town ! Where all so blooming stands. Advance fierce Tilly's bands ; O'er gardens and o'er w'ell-tilled lands Advance fierce Tilly's bands. Now Tilly's at the gate. Our homes who'll hberate ? Go, loved one, hasten to the gate. And dare the combat straight ! There is no need as yet, However fierce his threat ; Thy rosy cheeks I'll kiss, sweet pet ! There is no need as yet. My longing makes me pale. Oh, what can wealth avail ? E'en now thy father may be pale. Thou makest my courage fail. 8o POEMS OF GOETHE Oh, mother, give me bread ! Is then my father dead ? Oh, mother, one small crust of bread ! Oh ! what misfortune dread ! Thy father, dead lies he, The trembling townsmen flee, Adown the street the blood runs free ; Oh, whither shall we flee ? The churches ruined lie, The houses burn on high, The roofs they smoke, the flames out fly, Into the street then hie ! No safety there they meet ! The soldiers fill the street. With fire and sword the wreck complete : No safety there they meet ! Down falls the houses' line, Wliere now is thine or mine ? That bundle yonder is not thine, Thou flying maiden mine ! The women sorrow sore, The maidens far, far more. The living are no virgins more. Thus Tilly's troops make war ! FINNISH SONG. If the loved one, the well-known one. Should return as he departed. On his lips would ring my kisses. Though the wolf's blood might have dyed them ; And a hearty grasp I'd give him, Though his finger-ends were serpents. POEMS OF GOETHE 8i Wind ! Oh, if thou hadst but reason, Word for word in turns thou'dst carry, E'en though some perchance might perish Tweeu two lovers so far distant. All chuice morsels I'd dispense %vith, Table-flesh of priests neglect, too, Sooner tlian renounce my lover. Whom, in summer having vanquished, I in winter tamed still longer. DEPEESSION. EosES, ah, how fair ye be ! Ye are fading, dying ! Ye should with my lady be. On her bosom lying ; All your bloom is lost on me. Here despairing, sighing. Oh, the golden dreams I nursed. Ere I knew thy scorning, When I poured my passion first. And at break of morning, Plucked the rosebuds ere they burst For thy breast's adorning ! Every fruit and floweret rare. To thy feet I bore it, Fondly knelt, to see thee there Bending fondly o'er it. Gazing on thy face so fair. To revere, adore it. 82 POEMS OF GOETHE Koses, ah ! how fair ye be ! Ye are fading, dyiug ! Ye should with my lady be. On her bosom lying ; All your bloom is lost on me. Here despairing, sighing. SORROW WITHOUT CONSOLATION. Oh, wherefore shouldst thou try The tears of love to dry ? Nay, let them flow ! For didst thou only know, How barren and how dead Seems everything below, To those who have not tears enough to shed, Thou'dst rather bid them weep, and seek their com- fort so. THE PARTING. Let mine eyes the farewell make thee Which my lips refuse to speak ; Scorn me not, if to forsake thee Makes my very manhood weak. Joyless in our joy's eclipse, love. Are love's tokens, else divine, Cold the kisses of thy lips, love. Damp the hand that's locked in mine. Once thy lip, to touch it only. To my soul has sent a thrill, Sweeter than the violet lonely, Plucked in March-time by the rill. POEMS OF GOETHE 83 Garlands never more I'll fashion, Koses twine no mure fur thee ; Spring is here, but, ah, my passion, Autumn dark has come for me ! ON THE NEW YEAR [Composed for a merry party that used to meet, in 1802, at Goethe's house.] Fate now allows us, 'Twixt the departing And the upstarting, Happy to be ; And at the call of Memory cherished. Future and perished Moments we see. Seasons of anguish, — Ah, they must ever Truth from woe sever. Love and joy part ; Days still more worthy Soon will unite us, Fairer songs light us, Strength'ning the heart. We, thus united. Think of, with gladness, Rapture and sadness. Sorrow now flies. Oh, how mysterious Fortune's direction ! Old the connection. New-born the prize ! 84 POEMS OF GOETHE Thank, for this, Fortune, Wavering blindly ! Thank all that kindly Fate may bestow ! Eevel in change's Impulses clearer, Love far sincerer, More heartfelt glow. Over the old one, Wrinkles collected, Sad and dejected, Others may view ; But, on us gently Shineth a true one. And to the new one We, too, are new. As a fond couple 'Midst the dance veering, First disappearing, Then reappear. So let affliction Guide thro' life's mazy Pathways so hazy Into the year. ANNIVERSARY SONG. [This little song describes tlie different members of the party just spoken of.] Why pacest thou, my neighbour fair, The garden all alone ? If house and land thou seek'st to guard, I'd thee as mistress own. POEMS OF GOETHE 85 My brother sought the cellar-maid, And suflered her no rest ; She gave him a refreshing draught, A kiss, too, she impressed. My cousin is a prudent wight, The cook's by him adored ; He turns the spit round ceaselessly, To gain love's sweet reward. We six together then began A banquet to consume, When lo ! a fourth pair singing came, And danced into the room. Welcome were they, — and welcome, too, Was a fifth jovial pair, Brimful of news, and stored with tales And jests both new and rare. For riddles, spirit, raillery. And wit, a place remained ; A sixth pair then our circle joined. And so that prize was gained. And yet, to make us truly blest, One missed we, and full sore ; A true and tender couple came, — We needed then no more. The social banquet now goes on, Unchequered by alloy ; The sacred double-numbers then Let all at once enjoy ! 86 POEMS OF GOETHE THE SPRING ORACLE. Oh, prophetic bird so bright, Blossom-songster, cuckoo hight ! In the fairest time of year, Dearest bird, oh ! deign to hear What a youthful pair would pray ; Do thou call, if hope they may ; Thy cuck-oo, thy cuck-oo. Ever more cuck-oo, cuck-oo ! Hearest thou ? A loving pair Fain would to the altar fare ; Yes ! a pair in happy youth, Full of virtue, full of truth. Is the hour not fixed by fate ? Say, how long must they still wait ? Hark ! cuck-oo ! hark ! cuck-oo ! Silent yet ! for shame, cuck-oo ! 'Tis not our fault, certainly ! Only two years patient be ! But if we ourselves please here, Will pa-pa-papas appear ? Know that thou'lt more kmdness do us, More thou'lt prophesy unto us. One ! cuck-oo ! Two ! cuck-oo ! Ever, ever, cuck-oo, cuck-oo, coo ! If we've calculated clearly, We have half a dozen nearly. If good promises we'll give. Wilt thou say how long we'll live ? Truly, we'll confess to thee, We'd prolong it willingly. POEMS OF GOETHE 87 Coo, cuck-00, coo, cuck-00 ! Coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo ! Life is one continued feast — (If we keep uo score, at least). If now we together dwell, Will true love remain as well ? For if that should e'er decay, Happiness would pass away. Coo, cuck-00, coo, cuck-00. Coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo ! (Gracefully in imfinitum.) THE HAPPY COUPLE. After these vernal rains That we so warmly sought, Dear wife, see how our plains With blessings sweet are fraught ! We cast our distant gaze Far in the misty blue ; Here gentle love still strays, Here dwells still rapture true. Thou see'st whither go Yon pair of pigeons white. Where swelling violets blow Round sunny foliage l)right. 'Twas there we gathered first A nosegay as we roved ; There into flame first burst The passion that we proved. Yet when, with pliglited troth. The priest beheld us fare. 88 POEMS OF GOETHE Home from the altar both, With many a youthful pair, — Then other moons had birth, And many a beauteous sun, Then we had gained the earth Whereon hfe's race to run. A hundred thousand fold The mighty bond was sealed ; In woods, on mountains cold. In bushes, in the field. Within the wall, in caves, And on the craggy height. And love, e'en o'er the waves, Bore in his tube the light. Contented we remained. We deemed ourselves a pair ; 'Twas otherwise ordained, For, lo ! a third was there ; A fourth, fifth, sixth appeared. And sat around our board ; And now the plants we've reared High o'er our heads have soared. ■'G' How fair and pleasant looks. On yonder beauteous spot. Embraced by poplar-brooks, The newly finished cot ! Who is it there that sits In that glad home above ? Is't not our darling Fritz With his own darling love ? Beside yon precipice, Whence pent-up waters steal. POEMS OF GOETHE 89 And, leaving the abyss, Fall foaming through the wheel, — Though people ofteu tell Of millers' wives so fair, Yet none can e'er excel Our dearest daughter there ! Yet where the thick-set green Stands rouTid you church and sod, Where the old fir-tree's seen Alone tow'rd heaven to nod, — 'Tis there the ashes lie Of our untimely dead ; From earth our gaze on high By their blest memory's led. See how yon hill is bright With billowy-waving arms ! The force returns, whose might Has vanquished war's alarms. Who proudly hastens here With wreath-encircled brow ? 'Tis like our child so dear ! — Thus Charles comes homeward now. That dearest honoured guest Is welcomed by the bride ; She makes the true one blest. At the glad festal tide. And every one makes haste To join the dance with glee ; While thou with wreaths hast graced The youngest children three. To sound of flute and horn The time appears renewed, 90 POEMS OF GOETHE When we, in love's young morn. In the glad dance upstood ; And perfect bliss I know Ere the year's course is run. For to the font we go With grandson and with son ! SONG OF FELLOWSHIP. [Written and sung in honour of the birthday of the Pastor Ewald, at the time of Goethe's happy connection with Lili.] In every hour of joy That love and wine prolong, The moments we'll employ To carol forth this song ! We're gathered in His name, Whose power hath brought us here. He kindled first our flame, He bids it burn more clear. Then gladly glow to-night, And let our hearts combine ! Up ! quaff with fresh delight This glass of sparkhng wine ! Up ! hail the joyous hour, And let your kiss be true ; With each new bond of power The old becomes the new ! Who in our circle lives. And is not happy there ? True liberty it gives. And brother's love so fair. POEMS OF GOETHE 91 Thus heart and heart through life With mutual love are filled ; And by no causeless strife Our uuiou is e'er chilled. Our hopes a God has crowned With Hfe-disceninient free, And all we view around, Kenews our ecstasy. Ne'er by caprice oppressed. Our bliss is ne'er destroyed ; More freely throbs our breast, By fancies ne'er alloyed. Where'er our foot we set. The more life's path extends, And brighter, brighter yet Our gaze on high ascends. We know no grief or pain, Though all things fall and rise ; Long may we thus remain ! Eternal be our ties! CONSTANCY IN CHANGE. Could this early bliss but rest Constant for one single hour ! But e'en now the humid west Scatters many a vernal shower. Should the verdure give me joy ? 'Tis to it I owe the shade ; Soon will storms its l)loom destroy, Soon will Autumn bid it fade. 92 POEMS OF GOETHE Eagerly thy portion seize, If thou wouldst possess the fruit ! Fast begin to ripen these, And the rest already to shoot. With each heavy storm of rain Change comes o'er thy valley fair ; Once, alas ! but not again Can the same stream hold thee e'er. And thyself, what erst at least Firm as rocks appeared to rise, Walls and palaces thou seest But with ever-changing eyes. Fled for ever now the lip That with kisses used to glow, And the foot, that used to skip O'er the mountain, like the roe. And the hand, so true and warm. Ever raised in charity. And the cunning-fashioned form, — All are now changed utterly. And what used to bear thy name When upon yon spot it stood, Like a rolling billow came. Hastening on to join the flood. Be then the beginning found With the end in unison, Swifter than the forms around Are themselves now fleeting on ! Thank the merit in thy breast, Thank the mould within thy heart, That the Muses' favour blest Ne'er will perish, ne'er depart. POEMS OF GOETHE 93 TABLE SONG. [Composed for the merry party already mentioned, on» the oc- casion of the departure for France of the hereditary prince, who wa.s one of the number, and wlio is especially alluded to in the third verse.] O'er me, — how T cannot say, — ireavenly rapture's growing. Will it help to guide my way To yon stars all-glowing? Yet that here I'd sooner be, To assert I'm able, Where, with wine and harmony, I may thump the table. Wonder not, my dearest friends, Wliat 'tis gives me pleasure ; For of all that earth e'er lends, 'Tis the sweetest treasure. Therefore solemnly I swear, With no reservation, That maliciously I'll ne'er Leave my present station. Now that here we're gathered round. Chasing cares and slumbers, Let, methouglit, the goblet sound To the bard's glad numbers ! Many a hundred mile away. Go those we love dearly ; Therefore let us here to-day Make the glass ring clearly ! Here's ///.s health through whom we live ! I that faith inherit. 94 POEMS OF GOETHE To our king the next toast give, Honour is his merit, 'Gainst each in and outward foe He's our rock and tower. Of his maintenance thinks he though, More that grows his power. Next to her good health I drink, Who has stirred my passion ; Of his mistress let each think, Think in knightly fashion. If the beauteous maid but see Whom 'tis I now call so, Let her smiling nod to me : " Here's my love's health also." To those friends, — the two or three, - Be our next toast given, In whose presence revel we, In the silent even, — Who the gloomy mist so cold Scatter gently, lightly ; To those friends, then, new or old, Let the toast ring brightly. Broader now the stream rolls on. With its waves more swelling, While in higher, nobler tone, Comrades, we are dweUiug, — We who with collected might Bravely cling together, Both in fortune's sunshine bright. And in stormy weather. Just as we are gathered thus. Others are collected ; POEMS OF GOETHE 95 On them, therefore, as on us, Be Fate's smile dh-ected ! From the spring-head to the sea, Many a mill's revolving. And the world's prosperity Is the task I'm solving. WONT AND DONE. I HAVE loved ; for the first time with passion I rave ! I then was the servant, but now am the slave ; I then was the servant of all : By this creature so charming I now am fast bound. To love and love's guerdon she turns all around. And her my sole mistress I call. I've had faith ; for the first time my faith is now strong ! And though matters go strangely, though matters go wrong, To the ranks of the faithful I'm true : Though ofttimes 'twas dark, and though ofttimes 'twas drear, In the pressure of need, and when danger was near, Yet the dawning of light I now view. I have eaten ; but ne'er have thus relished my food ! For when glad are the senses and joyous the blood, At table all else is effaced : As for youth, it but swallows, then whistles an air ; As for me, to a jovial resort I'd repair, Where to eat and enjoy what I'd taste. I have drunk ; but have never thus relished the bowl ! For wine makes us lords, and enlivens the soul, And loosens the trembling slave's tongue. 96 POEMS OF GOETHE Let's seek not to spare then the heart-stirring drink, For though in the barrel the old wine may sink, In its place will fast mellow the young. I have danced, and to dancing am pledged by a vow ! Though no caper or waltz may be raved about now, In a dance that's becoming, whirl round. And he who a nosegay of flowers has dressed, And cares not for one any more than the rest, With a garland of love is aye crowned. Then once more be merry, and banish all woes ! For he who but gathers the blossoming rose, By its thorns will be tickled alone. To-day still, as yesterday, ghmmers the star ; Take care from all heads that hang down to keep far, And make but the future thine own. YANITAS, VANITATUM VANITAS. On nothing have I set my heart, Hurrah ! So in the world I bear my part, Hurrah ! And whoso will be friend of mine Must join with me, and not decline To clink a glass of wine. I set my heart on goods and wealth. Hurrah ! I lost thereby my nerves and health, Hurrah ! The coins they rolled off far and wide, And what with one hand I did hide, In t'other would not bide. POE.MS OF GOETHE 97 On woman next I set my heart, Hurrah ! From them I suffered many a smart, Ah, ah ! The false one sought another lord, Witli the true one I was greatly bored. The best could not afford. To travel next I did apply. Hurrah ! From house and kindred oft' did fly. Ah, ah ! I'm pleased with nothing I have seen, — The food was coarse, the bed not clean, None knew what I did mean. On honours next my heart I set. Hurrah ! But lo ! my neighbour more did get. Ah, ah ! And when I had advanced my name The folks did look askance, and blame As though I hurt their fame. I set my heart on fighting then. Hurrah ! And many a battle we did gain. Ah, ah ! We marched the foeraan's country through, Much profit there did not accrue, — My leg's loss there I rue. Now I have set my heart on nought. Hurrah ! The whole world to my feet is brought. Ah, ah ! 98 POEMS OF GOETHE My song and feast to end I'm fain. So every one your glasses drain, — Let not a drop remain ! FORTUNE OF WAR Nought more accursed in war I know Than getting off scot-free ; Inured to danger, on we go In constant victory ; We first unpack, then pack again, With only this reward, That when we're marching, we complain, And when in camp are bored. The time for billeting comes next, — The peasant curses it ; Each nobleman is sorely vexed, 'Tis hated by the cit. Be civil, bad though be thy food. The clowns politely treat ; If to our hosts we're ever rude. Jail-bread we're forced to eat. And when the cannon growl around, And small arms rattle clear, And trumpet, trot, and drums resound, We merry all appear ; And as it in the fight may chance. We yield, then charge amain. And now retire, and now advance, And yet a cross ne'er gain. At length there comes a musket-ball, And hits the leg, please heaven ; POEMS OF GOETHE 99 And then our troubles vanish all, For to the town we're driven, (Well covered by the victor's force), Where we in wrath first came, — The women, frightened then, of course, Are loving now and tame. Cellar and heart are opened wide, The cook's allowed no rest : While beds with softest down supplied Are by our members pressed. The nimble lads upon us wait. No sleep the hostess takes ; Her shift is torn in pieces straight, — What wondrous lint it makes ! If one has tended carefully The hero's wounded limb, Her neighbour cannot rest, for she Has also tended him. A third arrives in equal haste. At length they all are there, And in the middle he is placed Of the whole band so fair I On good authority the king Hears how we love the fight, And bids them cross and ribbon bring. Our coat and breast to dight. Say if a better fate can e'er A son of Mars pursue ! 'Midst tears at length we go from there, Beloved and honoured, too. loo POEMS OF GOETHE COPTIC SONG. Howe'er they may wraDgle, your pundits and sages, And love of contention infects all the breed, All the philosophers, search through all ages, Join with one voice in the following creed : Fools from their folly 'tis hopeless to stay ! Mules will be mules, by the law of their mulishness ; Then be advised, and leave fools to their foohshness, What from an ass can you get but a bray ? When Merhn I questioned, the old necromancer, As halo'd with light in his coffin he lay, I got from the wizard a similar answer, And thus ran the burden of what he did say : Fools from their folly 'tis hopeless to stay ! Mules will be mules, by the law of their mulishness ; Then be advised, and leave fools to their foohshness, What from an ass can be got but a bray ? And up on the wind-swept peaks of Armenia, And down in the depths, far hid from the day, Of the temples of Egypt and far Abyssinia This, and but this, was the gospel alway : Fools from their folly 'tis hopeless to stay ! Mules will be mules, by the law of their muhshness ; Then be advised, and leave fools to their foolishness, What from an ass can be got but a bray ? ANOTHER. Go ! obedient to my call, Turn to profit thy young days, Wiser make ])etimes thy breast ! POEMS OF GOETHE loi lu Fate's balance as it sways, Seldom is the cock at rest ; Thou must either mount, or fall, Thou must either rule and win, Or submissively give in. Triumph, or else yield to clamour, Be the anvil or the hammer. OPEN TABLE. Many a guest I'd see to-day, Met to taste my dishes ! Food in plenty is prepared. Birds, and game, and fishes. Invitations all have had, All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around ' Are they hither wending ? Pretty girls I hope to see, Dear and guileless misses, Ignorant how sweet it is Giving tender kisses. Invitations all have had, All propo.sed attending. Johnny, go and look around ! Are they hither wending ? Women also I expect, Loving toward their spouses, Whose rude grumbling in their breasts Greater love but rouses. Invitations they've had, too, All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around ! Are they hither wending ? 102 POEMS OF GOETHE I've too asked young gentlemen, Who are far from haughty, And whose purses are all well-stocked, Well behaved, not naughty. These especially I asked. All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around ! Are they hither wending ? Men I summoned with respect. Who their own wives treasure ; Who in ogling other Fair Never take a pleasure. To my greetings they replied. All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around ! Are they hither wending ? Then to make our joy complete, Poets I invited. Who love others' songs far more Than what they've indited. All acceded to my wish, All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around ! Are they hither wending ? Not a single one appears, None seem this way posting. All the soup boils fast away, Joints are over-roasting. Ah, I fear that we have been Rather too unbending ! Johnny, toll me what you think ! None are hither wending. POEMS OF GOETHE 103 Johnny, run, ;ui