第3章
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  EVERANDEVERYWHERE。

  FARexplorethemountainhollow,Highinairthecloudsthenfollow!

  ToeachbrookandvaletheMuseThousandtimeshercallrenews。

  Soonasaflow’retbloomsinspring,Itwakensmanyastrain。

  AndwhenTimespreadshisfleetingwing,Theseasonscomeagain。

  1820。*——

  PETITION。

  OHthousweetmaidenfair,Thouwiththeravenhair,Whytothewindowgo?

  Whilegazingdownbelow,Artstandingvainlythere?

  Oh,ifthoustood’stforme,Andlett’stthelatchbutfly,HowhappyshouldIbe!

  HowsoonwouldIleaphigh!

  1789。*——

  TOHISCOYONE。

  SEESTthouyonsmilingOrange?

  Uponthetreestillhangsit。

  AlreadyMarchbathvanish’d,Andnew-bornflow’rsareshooting。

  Idrawnightothetreethen,AndthereIsay:OhOrange,ThouripeandjuicyOrange,ThousweetandlusciousOrange,Ishakethetree,Ishakeit,Ohfallintomylap!

  1789。*——

  NIGHTTHOUGHTS。

  OH,unhappystars!yourfateImourn,Yebywhomthesea-toss’dsailor’slighted,Whowithradiantbeamstheheav’nsadorn,Butbygodsandmenareunrequited:

  Foryelovenot,——ne’erhavelearnttolove!

  Ceaselesslyinendlessdanceyemove,Inthespaciousskyyourcharmsdisplaying,Whatfartravelsyehavehasten’dthrough,Since,withinmylovedone’sarmsdelaying,I’veforgottenyouandmidnighttoo!

  1789。*——

  TOLIDA。

  THEonlyonewhom,Lida,thoucanstlove,Thouclaim’st,andrightlyclaim’st,foronlythee。

  Hetooiswhollythine。sincedoomedtoroveFarfromthee,inlife’sturmoilsnoughtIseeSaveathinveil,throughwhichthyformIview,Asthoughinclouds。withkindlysmileandtrue,Itcheersme,likethestarseternethatgleamAcrossthenorthern-lights’far-flick’ringbeam。

  1789。*——

  PROXIMITY。

  IKNOWnot,wherefore,dearestlove,ThouoftenartsostrangeandcoyWhen’mongstman’sbusyhauntswemove,Thycoldnessputstoflightmyjoy。

  Butsoonasnightandsilenceroundusreign,Iknowtheebythykissessweetagain!

  1789。*——

  RECIPROCAL。

  MYmistress,wheresitsshe?

  Whatisitthatcharms?

  Theabsentshe’srocking,Heldfastinherarms。

  Inprettycageprison’dSheholdsabirdstill。

  Yetletshimflyfromher,Wheneverhewill。

  Hepecksatherfinger,Andpecksatherlips,Andhoversandflutters,Androundherheskips。

  Thenhastenthouhomeward,Infashiontobe。

  Ifthouhastthemaiden,Shealsohaththee。

  1816——

  ROLLICKINGHANS。

  HALLOthere!Aglass!

  Ha!thedraught’strulysweet!

  Iffordrinkgomyshoes,Ishallstillhavemyfeet。

  Amaidenandwine,Withsweetmusicandsong,——

  Iwouldtheyweremine,Alllife’sjourneyalong!

  IfIdepartfromthissadsphere,Andleaveawillbehindmehere,Asuitatlawwillbepreferr’d,Butasforthanks,——thedeuceaword!

  SoereIdie,Isquanderall,AndthataproperwillIcall。

  HISCOMRADE。

  Hallothere!Aglass!

  Ha!thedraught’strulysweetIfthoukeepestthyshoes,Thouwiltthensparethyfeet。

  Amaidenandwine,Withsweetmusicandsong,Onpavement,arethine,Alllife’sjourneyalong!——

  THEFREEBOOTER,Nodoorhasmyhouse,Nohousehasmydoor。

  AndinandouteverIcarrymystore。

  Nogratehasmykitchen,Nokitchenmygrate。

  YetroastsitandboilsitBothearlyandlate。

  Mybedhasnotrestles,Mytrestlesnobed。

  YetmerriermomentsNomortale’erled。

  Mycellarislofty,Mybarnisfulldeep,Fromtoptothebottom,——

  TherelieIandsleep。

  AndsoonasIwaken,Allmovesonitsrace。

  Myplacehasnofixture,Myfixturenoplace。

  1827。*——

  JOYANDSORROW。

  Asafisher-boyIfaredTotheblackrockinthesea,And,whilefalsegiftsIprepared。

  Listen’dandsangmerrily,Downdescendedthedecoy,Soonafishattack’dthebait。

  Oneexultantshoutofjoy,——

  Andthefishwascapturedstraight。

  Ah!onshore,andtothewoodPastthecliffs,o’erstockandstone,Onefoot’stracesIpursued,Andthemaidenwasalone。

  Lipsweresilent,eyesdowncastAsaclasp-knifesnapsthebait,Withhersnaresheseizedmefast,Andtheboywascapturedstraight。

  Heav’nknowswho’sthehappyswainThatsherambleswithanew!

  Imustdaretheseaagain,Spiteofwindandweathertoo。

  WhenthegreatandlittlefishWailandflounderinmynet,StraightreturnsmyeagerwishInherarmstorevelyet!

  1815——

  MARCH。

  THEsnow-flakesfallinshowers,Thetimeisabsentstill,WhenallSpring’sbeauteousflowers,WhenallSpring’sbeauteousflowersOurheartswithjoyshallfill。

  WithlustrefalseandfleetingThesun’sbrightraysarethrown。

  Theswallow’sselfischeating:

  Theswallow’sselfischeating,Andwhy?Hecomesalone!

  CanIe’erfeeldelightedAlone,thoughSpringisnear?

  Yetwhenweareunited,Yetwhenweareunited,TheSummerwillbehere。

  1817——

  APRIL。

  TELLme,eyes,what’tisye’reseeking。

  Forye’resayingsomethingsweet,Fittheravish’deartogreet,Eloquently,softlyspeaking。

  YetIseenowwhyye’reroving。

  Forbehindthoseeyessobright,Toitselfabandon’dquite,Liesabosom,truthful,loving,——

  Onethatitmustfillwithpleasure’Mongstsomany,dullandblind,Onetruelookatlengthtofind,Thatitsworthcanrightlytreasure。

  WhilstI’mlostinstudyingeverToexplainthesecyphersduly,——

  TounravelmylookstrulyInreturnbeyourendeavour!

  1820——

  MAY。

  LIGHTandsilv’rycloudletshoverIntheair,asyetscarcewarm。

  Mild,withglimmersofttingedover,Peepsthesunthroughfragrantbalm。

  GentlyrollsandheavestheoceanAsitswavesthebanko’erflow。

  AndwitheverrestlessmotionMovestheverduretoandfro,Mirror’dbrightlyfarbelow。

  Whatisnowthefoliagemoving?

  Airisstill,andhush’dthebreeze,Sultriness,thisfullnessloving,Throughthethicket,fromthetrees。

  Nowtheeyeatoncegleamsbrightly,See!theinfantbandwithmirthMovesanddancesnimbly,lightly,Asthemorninggaveitbirth,Flutt’ringtwoandtwoo’erearth。

  ****

  1816——

  JUNE。

  SHEbehindyonmountainlives,Whomylove’ssweetguerdongives。

  Tellme,mount,howthiscanbe!

  Veryglassthouseem’sttome,AndIseemtobecloseby,ForIseeherdrawingnigh。

  Now,becauseI’mabsent,sad,Now,becausesheseesme,glad!

  SoonbetweenusrisetosightValleyscool,withbusheslight,Streamsandmeadows。nextappearMillsandwheels,thesuresttokenThatalevelspotisnear,Plainsfar-stretchingandunbroken。

  Andsoonwards,onwardsroam,Tomygardenandmyhome!

  Buthowcomesitthentopass?

  Allthisgivesnojoy,alas!——

  Iwasravish’dbyhersight,Byhereyessofairandbright,Byherfootstepsoftandlight。

  HowherpeerlesscharmsIpraised,WhenfromheadtofootIgazed!

  Iamhere,she’sfaraway,——

  Iamgone,withhertostay。

  Ifonruggedhillsshewander,Ifshehastethevalealong,Pinionsseemtoflutteryonder,Andtheairisfill’dwithsong。

  Withtheglowofyouthstillplaying,Joyousvigourineachlimb,Oneinsilenceisdelaying,Shealone’tisblesseshim。

  Love,thouarttoofair,Iween!

  FairerIhaveneverseen!

  FromtheheartfulleasilyBloomingflowersarecull’dbythee。

  IfIthink:Oh,wereitso,

  Boneandmarrowseentoglow!

  Ifrewardedbyherlove,CanIgreaterraptureprove?

  Andstillfaireristhebride,Wheninmeshewillconfide,WhenshespeaksandletsmeknowAllhertaleofjoyandwoe。

  Allherlifetime’shistoryNowisfullyknowntome。

  Whoinchildorwomane’erSoulandbodyfoundsofair?

  1815——

  NEXTYEAR’SSPRING。

  THEbedofflowersLoosensamain,ThebeauteoussnowdropsDroopo’ertheplain。

  ThecrocusopensItsglowingbud,Likeemeraldsothers,Others,likeblood。

  WithsaucygesturePrimrosesflare,Androguishviolets,Hiddenwithcare。

  AndwhatsoeverTherestirsandstrives,TheSpring’scontented,Ifworksandthrives。

  ’MongstalltheblossomsThatfairestare,Mysweetheart’ssweetnessIssweetestfar。

  UponmeeverHerglanceslight,Mysongtheywaken,Mywordsmakebright,AneveropenAndbloomingmind,Insport,unsullied,Inearnest,kind。

  ThoughrosesandliliesBySummerarebrought,AgainstmysweetheartPrevailshenought。

  1816——

  ATMIDNIGHTHOUR。

  [Goetherelatesthataremarkablesituationhewasinonebrightmoonlightnightledtothecompositionofthissweetsong,whichwasthedearertohimbecausehecouldnotsaywhenceitcameandwhitheritwould。]

  ATmidnighthourIwent,notwillingly,Alittle,littleboy,yonchurchyardpast,ToFatherVicar’shouse。thestarsonhighOnallaroundtheirbeauteousradiancecast,Atmidnighthour。

  Andwhen,injourneyingo’erthepathoflife,MyloveIfollow’d,assheonwardmoved,Withstarsandnorthernlightso’erheadinstrife,Goingandcoming,perfectblissIprovedAtmidnighthour。

  Untilatlengththefullmoon,lustre-fraught,Burstthro’thegloomwhereinshewasenshrined。

  Andthenthewilling,active,rapidthoughtAroundthepast,asroundthefuturetwined,Atmidnighthour。

  1818——

  TOTHERISINGFULLMOON。

  Dornburg,25thAugust,1828。

  WILTthousuddenlyenshroudthee,Whothismomentwertsonigh?

  Heavyrisingmassescloudthee,Thouarthiddenfrommineeye。

  Yetmysadnessthouwellknowest,Gleamingsweetlyasastar!

  ThatI’mloved,’tisthouthatshowest,Thoughmylovedonemaybefar。

  Upwardmountthen!clearer,milder,Robedinsplendourfarmorebright!

  Thoughmyheartwithgriefthrobswilder,Fraughtwithraptureisthenight!

  1828——

  THEBRIDEGROOM。*

  NotintheEnglishsenseoftheword,buttheGerman,whereithasthemeaningofbetrothed。

  ISLEPT,——’twasmidnight,——inmybosomwoke,Asthough’twereday,mylove-o’erflowingheart。

  Tomeitseemedlikenight,whendayfirstbroke。

  Whatis’ttome,whate’eritmayimpart?

  Shewasaway。theworld’sunceasingstrifeForheraloneIsuffer’dthroughtheheatOfsultryday。oh,whatrefreshinglifeAtcoolingeve!——myguerdonwascomplete。

  Thesunnowset,andwand’ringhandinhand,Hislastandblissfullookwegreetedthen。

  Whilespakeoureyes,astheyeachotherscann’d:

  Fromthefareast,let’strust,he’llcomeagain!

  Atmidnight!——thebrightstars,invisionblest,Guidetothethresholdwheresheslumberscalm:

  Ohbeitmine,theretooatlengthtorest,——

  Yethowsoe’erthisprove,life’sfullofcharm!

  1828——

  SUCH,SUCHISHEWHOPLEASETHME。

  FLY,dearest,fly!Heisnotnigh!

  HewhofoundtheeonefairmorninSpringInthewoodwherethouthyflightdidstwing。

  Fly,dearest,fly!Heisnotnigh!

  Neverreststhefootofevilspy。

  Hark!flutes’sweetstrainsandlove’srefrainsReachthelovedone,bornetherebythewind,Inthesoftheartopendoorstheyfind。

  Hark!flutes’sweetstrainsandlove’srefrains,Hark!——yetblissfullovetheirechopains。

  Erecthishead,andfirmhistread,Ravenhairaroundhissmoothbrowstrays,OnhischeeksaSpringeternalplays。

  Erecthishead,andfirmhistread,Andbygracehisev’rystepisled。

  Happyhisbreast,withpurenessbless’d,Andthedarkeyes’neathhiseyebrowsplaced,Withfullmanyabeauteouslinearegraced。

  Happyhisbreast,withpurenessbless’d,Soonasseen,thylovemustbeconfess’d。

  Hismouthisred——itspowerIdread,Onhislipsmorn’sfragrantincenselies,RoundhislipsthecoolingZephyrsighs。

  Hismouthisred——itspowerIdread,Withoneglancefromhim,allsorrow’sfled。

  Hisbloodistrue,hisheartboldtoo,Inhissoftarms,strength,protection,dwellsAndhisfacewithnoblepityswells。

  Hisbloodistrue,hisheartboldtoo,Blesttheonewhomthosedeararmsmaywoo!

  1816——

  SICILIANSONG。

  YEblackandroguisheyes,Ifyecommand。

  Eachhouseinruinslies,Notowncanstand。

  Andshallmybosom’schain,——

  Thisplasterwall,?

  Tothinkonemoment,deign,——

  Shalliinotfall?

  1811——

  SWISSSONG,Upinth’mountainIwasa-sitting,WiththebirdthereAsmyguest,Blithelysinging,Blithelyspringing,AndbuildingHisnest。

  InthegardenIwasa-standing,AndthebeethereSawaswell,Buzzing,humming,Going,coming,AndbuildingHiscell。

  O’erthemeadowIwasa-going,AndtheresawtheButterflies,Sipping,dancing,Flying,glancing,AndcharmingTheeyes。

  AndthencamemyDearHansel,AndIshow’dthemWithglee,Sipping,quaffing,Andhe,laughing,SweetkissesGaveme。

  1811——

  FINNISHSONG。

  IFthelovedone,thewell-knownone,Shouldreturnashedeparted,Onhislipswouldringmykisses,Thoughthewolf’sbloodmighthavedyedthem。

  AndaheartygraspI’dgivehim,Thoughhisfinger-endswereserpents。

  Wind!Oh,ifthouhadstbutreason,Wordforwordinturnsthou’dstcarry,E’enthoughsomeperchancemightperish’Tweentwoloverssofardistant。

  AllchoicemorselsI’ddispensewith,Table-fleshofpriestsneglecttoo,Soonerthanrenouncemylover,Whom,inSummerhavingvanquish’d,IinWintertamedstilllonger。

  1810——

  GIPSYSONG。

  INthedrizzlingmist,withthesnowhigh-pil’d,IntheWinternight,intheforestwild,Iheardthewolveswiththeirravenoushowl,Iheardthescreamingnoteoftheowl:

  Willewauwauwau!

  Willewowowo!

  Witohu!

  Ishot,oneday,acatinaditch——

  ThedearblackcatofAnnathewitch。

  Uponme,atnight,sevenwere-wolvescamedown,Sevenwomentheywere,fromoutofthetown。

  Willewauwauwau!

  Willewowowo!

  Witohu!

  Iknewthemall。ay,Iknewthemstraight。

  First,Anna,thenUrsula,Eve,andKate,AndBarbara,Lizzy,andBetaswell。

  Andformingaring,theybegantoyell:

  Willewauwauwau!

  Willewowowo!

  Witohu!

  Thencall’dItheirnameswithangrythreat:

  Whatwouldstthou,Anna?Whatwouldstthou,Bet?

  Athearingmyvoice,themselvestheyshook,Andhowlingandyelling,toflighttheytook。

  Willewauwauwau!

  Willewowowo!

  Witohu!

  1772——

  THEDESTRUCTIONOFMAGDEBURG。

  [ForafineaccountofthefearfulsackofMagdeburg,byTilly,intheyear1613,seeSCHILLER’sHistoryoftheThirtyYears’

  War。]

  OH,Magdebergthetown!

  Fairmaidsthybeautycrown,Thycharmsfairmaidsandmatronscrown。

  Oh,Magdeburgthetown!

  Whereallsobloomingstands,AdvancefierceTilly’sbands。

  O’ergardensando’erwell——till’dlandsAdvancefierceTilly’sbands。

  NowTilly’satthegate。

  Ourhomeswho’llliberate?

  Go,lovedone,hastentothegate,Anddarethecombatstraight!

  Thereisnoneedasyet,Howeverfiercehisthreat。

  ThyrosycheeksI’llkiss,sweetpet!

  Thereisnoneedasyet。

  Mylongingmakesmepale。

  Oh,whatcanwealthavail?

  E’ennowthyfathermaybepale。

  Thoumak’stmycouragefail。

  Oh,mother,givemebread!

  Isthenmyfatherdead?

  Oh,mother,onesmallcrustofbread!

  Oh,whatmisfortunedread!

  Thyfather,deadlieshe,Thetremblingtownsmenflee,Adownthestreetthebloodrunsfree。

  Oh,whithershallweflee?

  Thechurchesruinedlie,Thehousesburnonhigh,Theroofstheysmoke,theflamesoutfly,Intothestreetthenhie!

  Nosafetytheretheymeet!

  ThesoldiersfilltheStreet,Withfireandswordthewreckcomplete:

  Nosafetytheretheymeet!

  Downfallsthehouses’line,Wherenowisthineormine?

  Thatbundleyonderisnotthine,Thouflyingmaidenmine!

  Thewomensorrowsore。

  Themaidensfar,farmore。

  Thelivingarenovirginsmore。

  ThusTilly’stroopsmakewar!——

  FAMILIARSONGS——

  WhatwesingincompanySoonfromhearttoheartwillfly——

  THEGeselligeLieder,whichIhaveangicisledasabove,asseveralofthemcannotbecalledconvivialsongs,areseparatedbyGoethefromhisothersongs,andIhaveadheredtothesamearrangement。TheErgobibamusisawell-knowndrinkingsonginGermany,whereitenjoysvastpopularity。

  ONTHENEWYEAR。

  [Composedforamerrypartythatusedtomeet,in1802,atGoethe’shouse。]

  FATEnowallowsus,’TwixtthedepartingAndtheupstarting,Happytobe。

  AndatthecallofMemorycherish’d,Futureandperish’dMomentswesee。

  Seasonsofanguish,——

  Ah,theymusteverTruthfromwoesever,Loveandjoypart。

  DaysstillmoreworthySoonwilluniteus,Fairersongslightus,Strength’ningtheheart。

  We,thusunited,Thinkof,withgladness,Raptureandsadness,Sorrownowflies。

  Oh,howmysteriousFortune’sdirection!

  Oldtheconnection,New-borntheprize!

  Thank,forthis,Fortune,Waveringblindly!

  ThankallthatkindlyFatemaybestow!

  Revelinchange’sImpulsesclearer,Lovefarsincerer,Moreheartfeltglow!

  Overtheoldone,Wrinklescollected,Sadanddejected,Othersmayview。

  But,onusgentlyShinethatrueone,AndtothenewoneWe,too,arenew。

  Asafondcouple’Midstthedanceveering,Firstdisappearing,Thenreappear,SoletaffectionGuidethro’life’smazyPathwayssohazyIntotheyear!

  1802——

  ANNIVERSARYSONG。

  [Thislittlesongdescribesthedifferentmembersofthepartyjustspokenof。]

  WHYpacestthou,myneighbourfair,Thegardenallalone?

  Ifhouseandlandthouseek’sttoguard,I’dtheeasmistressown。

  Mybrothersoughtthecellar-maid,Andsufferedhernorest。

  Shegavehimarefreshingdraught,Akiss,too,sheimpress’d。

  Mycousinisaprudentwight,Thecook’sbyhimador’d。

  Heturnsthespitroundceaselessly,Togainlove’ssweetreward。

  WesixtogetherthenbeganAbanquettoconsume,Whenlo!afourthpairsingingcame,Anddancedintotheroom。

  Welcomewerethey,——andwelcometooWasafifthjovialpair。

  Brimfulofnews,andstoredwithtalesAndjestsbothnewandrare。

  Forriddles,spirit,raillery,Andwit,aplaceremain’d。

  Asixthpairthenourcirclejoin’d,Andsothatprizewasgain’d。

  Andyettomakeustrulyblest,Onemiss’dwe,andfullsore。

  Atrueandtendercouplecame,——

  Weneededthemnomore。

  Thesocialbanquetnowgoeson,Unchequer’dbyalloy。

  Thesacreddouble-numbersthenLetusatonceenjoy!

  1802——

  THESPRINGORACLE。

  OHpropheticbirdsobright,Blossom-songster,cuckoobight!

  Inthefairesttimeofyear,Dearestbird,oh!deigntohearWhatayouthfulpairwouldpray,Dothoucall,ifhopetheymay:

  Thycuck-oo,thycuck-oo。

  Evermorecuck-oo,cuck-oo!

  Hearestthou?AlovingpairFainwouldtothealtarfare。

  Yes!apairinhappyyouth,Fullofvirtue,fulloftruth。

  Isthehournotfix’dbyfate?

  Say,howlongmusttheystillwait?

  Hark!cuck-oo!hark!cuck-oo!

  Silentyet!forshame,cuck-oo!

  ’Tisnotourfault,certainly!

  Onlytwoyearspatientbe!

  Butifweourselvespleasehere,Willpa-pa-papasappear?

  Knowthatthou’ltmorekindnessdous,Morethou’ltprophesyuntous。

  One!cuck-oo!Two!cuck-oo!

  Ever,ever,cuck-oo,cuck-oo,coo!

  Ifwe’vecalculatedclearly,Wehavehalfadozennearly。

  Ifgoodpromiseswe’llgive,Wiltthousayhowlongwe’IIlive?

  Truly,we’llconfesstothee,We’dprolongitwillingly。

  Coocuck-oo,coocuck-oo,Coo,coo,coo,coo,coo,coo,coo,coo,coo!

  Lifeisonecontinuedfeast——

  Ifwekeepnoscore,atleast。

  Ifnowwetogetherdwell,Willtrueloveremainaswell?

  Forifthatshoulde’erdecay,Happinesswouldpassaway。

  Coocuck-oo,coocuck-oo,Coo,coo,coo,coo,coo,coo,coo,coo,coo!

  1803。*

  Gracefullyininfinitum。——

  THEHAPPYCOUPLE。

  AFTERthesevernalrainsThatwesowarmlysought,Dearwife,seehowourplainsWithblessingssweetarefraught!

  WecastourdistantgazeFarinthemistyblue。

  Heregentlelovestillstrays,Heredwellsstillrapturetrue。

  ThouseestwhithergoYonpairofpigeonswhite,WhereswellingvioletsblowRoundsunnyfoliagebright。

  ’Twastherewegather’dfirstAnosegayasweroved。

  ThereintoflamefirstburstThepassionthatweproved。

  Yetwhen,withplightedtroth,ThepriestbeheldusfareHomefromthealtarboth,Withmanyayouthfulpair,——

  Thenothermoonshadbirth,Andmanyabeauteoussun,Thenwehadgain’dtheearthWhereonlife’sracetorun。

  AhundredthousandfoldThemightybondwasseal’d。

  Inwoods,onmountainscold,Inbushes,inthefield,Withinthewall,incaves,Andonthecraggyheight,Andlove,e’eno’erthewaves,Boreinhistubethelight。

  Contentedweremain’d,Wedeem’dourselvesapair。

  ’Twasotherwiseordain’d,For,lo!athirdwasthere。

  Afourth,fifth,sixthappear’d,Andsataroundourboard。

  Andnowtheplantswe’verear’dHigho’erourheadshavesoar’d!

  Howfairandpleasantlooks,Onyonderbeauteousspot,Embracedbypoplar-brooks,Thenewly-finish’dcot!

  WhoisittherethatsitsInthatgladhomeabove?

  Is’tnotourdarlingFritzWithhisowndarlinglove?

  Besideyonprecipice,Whencepent-upwaterssteal,Andleavingtheabyss,Fallfoamingthroughthewheel,ThoughpeopleoftentellOfmillers’wivessofair,Yetnonecane’erexcelOurdearestdaughterthere!

  Yetwherethethick-setgreenStandsroundyonchurchandsad,Wheretheoldfir-tree’sseenAlonetow’rdheaventonod,——

  ’TistheretheasheslieOfouruntimelydead。

  FromearthourgazeonhighBytheirblestmemory’sled。

  SeehowyonhillisbrightWithbillowy-wavingarms!

  Theforcereturns,whosemightHasvanquishedwar’salarms。

  WhoproudlyhastenshereWithwreath-encircledbrow?

  ’TislikeourchildsodearThusCharlescomeshomewardnow。

  Thatdearesthonour’dguestIswelcom’dbythebride。

  Shemakesthetrueoneblest,Atthegladfestaltide。

  Andev’ryonemakeshasteTojointhedancewithglee。

  WhilethouwithwreathshastgracedTheyoungestchildrenthree。

  TosoundoffluteandhornThetimeappearsrenew’d,Whenwe,inlove’syoungmorn,Inthegladdanceupstood。

  AndperfectblissIknowEretheyear’scourseisrun,FortothefontwegoWithgrandsonandwithson!

  1803。*——

  SONGOFFELLOWSHIP。

  [WrittenandsunginhonourofthebirthdayofthePastorEwaldatthetimeofGoethe’shappyconnectionwithLily。]

  INev’ryhourofjoyThatloveandwineprolong,Themomentswe’llemployTocarolforththissong!

  We’regatheredinHisname,Whosepowerhathbroughtushere。

  Hekindledfirstourflame,Hebidsitburnmoreclear。

  Thengladlyglowto-night,Andletourheartscombine!

  Up!quaffwithfreshdelightThisglassofsparklingwine!

  Up!hailthejoyoushour,Andletyourkissbetrue。

  WitheachnewbondofpowerTheoldbecomesthenew!

  Whoinourcirclelives,Andisnothappythere?

  Truelibertyitgives,Andbrother’slovesofair。

  ThusheartandheartthroughlifeWithmutuallovearefill’d。

  AndbynocauselessstrifeOurunione’erischill’d。

  OurhopesaGodhascrown’dWithlife-discernmentfree,Andallweviewaround,Renewsourecstasy。

  Ne’erbycapriceoppress’d,Ourblissisne’erdestroy’d。

  Morefreelythrobsourbreast,Byfanciesne’eralloy’d。

  Where’erourfootweset,Themorelife’spathextends,Andbrighter,brighteryetOurgazeonhighascends。

  Weknownogrieforpain,Thoughallthingsfallandrise。

  Longmaywethusremain!

  Eternalbeourties!

  1775——

  CONSTANCYINCHANGE。

  COULDthisearlyblissbutrestConstantforonesinglehour!

  Bute’ennowthehumidWestScattersmanyavernalshower。

  Shouldtheverduregivemejoy?

  ’TistoitIowetheshade。

  Soonwillstormsitsbloomdestroy,SoonwillAutumnbiditfade。

  Eagerlythyportionseize,Ifthouwouldstpossessthefruit!

  Fastbegintoripenthese,Andtherestalreadyshoot。

  WitheachheavystormofrainChangecomeso’erthyvalleyfair。

  Once,alas!butnotagainCanthesamestreamholdtheee’er。

  Andthyself,whaterstatleastFirmasrocksappear’dtorise,WallsandpalacesthouseestButwithever-changingeyes。

  FledforevernowthelipThatwithkissesusedtoglow,Andthefoot,thatusedtoskipO’erthemountain,liketheroe。

  Andthehand,sotrueandwarm,Everraisedincharity,Andthecunning-fashion’dform,——

  Allarenowchangedutterly。

  Andwhatusedtobearthyname,Whenuponyonspotitstood,Likearollingbillowcame,Hast’ningontojointheflood。

  BethenthebeginningfoundWiththeendinunison,SwifterthantheformsaroundArethemselvesnowfleetingon!

  Thankthemeritinthybreast,Thankthemouldwithinthyheart,ThattheMuses’favourblestNe’erwillperish,ne’erdepart。

  1803。*——

  TABLESONG。

  [Composedforthemerrypartyalreadymentioned,ontheoccasionofthedepartureforFranceofthehereditaryprince,whowasoneofthenumber,andwhoisespeciallyalludedtointhe3rdverse。]

  O’ERme——howIcannotsay,——

  Heav’nlyrapture’sgrowing。

  WillithelptoguidemywayToyonstarsall-glowing?

  YetthathereI’dsoonerbe,ToassertI’mable,Where,withwineandharmony,Imaythumpthetable。

  Wondernot,mydearestfriends,What’tisgivesmepleasure。

  Forofallthatearthe’erlends,’Tisthesweetesttreasure。

  ThereforesolemnlyIswear,Withnoreservation,ThatmaliciouslyI’llne’erLeavemypresentstation。

  Nowthatherewe’regather’dround,Chasingcaresandslumbers,Let,methought,thegobletsoundTothebard’sgladnumbers!

  Manyahundredmileaway,Gothosewelovedearly。

  Thereforeletushereto-dayMaketheglassringclearly!

  Here’sHishealth,throughWhomwelive!

  Ithatfaithinherit。

  Toourkingthenexttoastgive,Honourishismerit,’Gainsteachin——andoutwardfoeHe’sourrockandtower。

  Ofhismaintenancethinkshethough,Morethatgrowshispower。

  NexttohergoodhealthIdrink,Whohasstirr’dmypassion。

  Ofhismistressleteachthink,Thinkinknightlyfashion。

  IfthebeauteousmaidbutseeWhom’tisInowcallso,Lethersmilingnodtome:

  Here’smylove’shealthalso!

  Tothosefriends,——thetwoorthree,——

  Beournexttoastgiven,Inwhosepresencerevelwe,Inthesilenteven,——

  WhothegloomymistsocoldScattergently,lightly。

  Tothosefriends,then,neworold,Letthetoastringbrightly。

  Broadernowthestreamrollson,Withitswavesmoreswelling,Whileinhigher,noblertone,Comrades,wearedwelling,——

  Wewhowithcollectedmight,Bravelyclingtogether,Bothinfortune’ssunshinebright,Andinstormyweather。

  Justaswearegather’dthus,Othersarecollected。

  Onthem,therefore,asonus,BeFate’ssmiledirected!

  Fromthespringheadtothesea,Manyamill’srevolving,Andtheworld’sprosperityIsthetaskI’msolving。

  1802——

  WONTANDDONE。

  IHAVEloved。forthefirsttimewithpassionIrave!

  Ithenwastheservant,butnowamtheslave。

  Ithenwastheservantofall:

  BythiscreaturesocharmingInowamfastbound,Toloveandlove’sguerdonsheturnsallaround,AndhermysolemistressIcall。

  l’vehadfaith。forthefirsttimemyfaithisnowstrong!

  Andthoughmattersgostrangely,thoughmattersgowrong,TotheranksofthefaithfulI’mtrue:

  Thoughofttimes’twasdarkandthoughofttimes’twasdrear,Inthepressureofneed,andwhendangerwasnear,YetthedawningoflightInowview。

  Ihaveeaten。butne’erhavethusrelish’dmyfood!

  Forwhengladarethesenses,andjoyoustheblood,AttableallelseiseffacedAsforyouth,itbutswallows,thenwhistlesanair。

  Asforme,toajovialresortI’drepair,Wheretoeat,andenjoywhatItaste。

  Ihavedrunk。buthaveneverthusrelish’dthebowl!

  Forwinemakesuslords,andenlivensthesoul,Andloosensthetremblingslave’stongue。

  Let’snotseektosparethentheheart-stirringdrink,Forthoughinthebarreltheoldwinemaysink,Initsplacewillfastmellowtheyoung。

  Ihavedanced,andtodancingampledgedbyavow!

  Thoughnocaperorwaltzmayberavedaboutnow,Inadancethat’sbecoming,whirlround。

  Andhewhoanosegayofflowershasdress’d,Andcaresnotforoneanymorethantherest,Withagarlandofmirthisayecrown’d。

  Thenoncemorebemerry,andbanishallwoes!

  Forhewhobutgatherstheblossomingrose。

  Byitsthornswillbetickledalone。

  To-daystill,asyesterday,glimmersthestar。

  Takecarefromallheadsthathangdowntokeepfar,Andmakebutthefuturethineown。

  1813——

  GENERALCONFESSION。

  Inthisnobleringto-dayLetmywarningshameye!

  Listentomysolemnvoice,——

  Seldomdoesitnameye。

  Manyathinghaveyeintended,Manyathinghavebadlyended,AndnowImustblameye。

  AtsomemomentinourlivesWemustallrepentus!

  Soconfess,withpioustrust,Allyoursinsmomentous!

  Error’scrookedpathwaysshunning。

  Letus,onthestraightroadrunning,Honestlycontentus!

  Yes!we’veoft,whenwaking,dream’d,Let’sconfessitrightly。

  Leftundrain’dthebrimmingcup,Whenitsparkledbrightly。

  Manyashepherd’s-hour’ssoftblisses,Manyadearmouth’sflyingkissesWe’veneglectedlightly。

  Muteandsilenthavewesat,Whilsttheblockheadsprated,Andabovee’ensongdivineHavetheirbabblingsrated。

  Toaccountwe’veevencall’dusForthemomentsthatenthrall’dus,Withenjoymentfreighted。

  Ifthou’ltabsolutiongrantTothytrueonesever,We,toexecutethywill,Ceaselesswillendeavour,Fromhalf-measuresstrivetoweanus,Wholly,fairly,welldemeanus,Resting,flaggingnever。

  Atallblockheadswe’llatonceLetourlaughringclearly,Andthepearly-foamingwineNeversipatmerely。

  Ne’erwitheyealonegivekisses,ButwithboldnesssuckinblissesFromthoselipsloveddearly。

  1803。*——

  COPTICSONG。

  LEAVEwethepedantstoquarrelandstrive,Rigidandcautioustheteacherstobe!

  Allofthewisestmene’erseenaliveSmile,nod,andjoininthechoruswithme:

  Vain’tistowaittillthedoltgrowslesssilly!

  Playthenthefoolwiththefool,willy-nilly,——

  Childrenofwisdom,——remembertheword!

  Merlintheold,fromhisglitteringgrave,WhenI,astripling,oncespoketohim,——gaveJustthesameanswerasthatI’vepreferr’d。

  Vain’tistowaittillthedoltgrowslesssilly!

  Playthenthefoolwiththefool,willy-nilly,——

  Childrenofwisdom,——remembertheword!

  AndontheIndianbreezeasitbooms,AndinthedepthsofEgyptiantombs,OnlythesameholysayingI’veheard:

  Vain’tistowaittillthedoltgrowslesssilly!

  Playthenthefoolwiththefool,willy-nilly,——

  Childrenofwisdom,——remembertheword!

  1789。*——

  ANOTHER。

  Go!obedienttomycall,Turntoprofitthyyoungdays,WisermakebetimesthybreastInFate’sbalanceasitsways,Seldomisthecockatrest。

  Thoumusteithermount,orfall,Thoumusteitherruleandwin,Orsubmissivelygivein,Triumph,orelseyieldtoclamour:

  Betheanvilorthehammer。

  1789——

  VANITAS!VANITATUMVANITAS!

  MYtrustinnothingnowisplaced,Hurrah!

  SointheworldtruejoyItaste,Hurrah!

  ThenhewhowouldbeacomradeofmineMustrattlehisglass,andinchoruscombine,Overthesedregsofwine。

  Iplacedmytrustingoldandwealth,Hurrah!

  ButthenIlostalljoyandhealth,Lack-a-day!

  Bothhereandtherethemoneyroll’d,AndwhenIhadithere,behold,Fromtherehadfledthegold!

  Iplacedmytrustinwomennext,Hurrah!

  Butthereintruthwassorelyvex’d,Lack-a-day!

  TheFalseanotherportionsought,TheTruewithtediousnesswerefraught,TheBestcouldnotbebought。

  MytrustintravelsthenIplaced,Hurrah!

  Andleftmynativelandinhaste。

  Lack-a-day!

  Butnotasinglethingseem’dgood,Thebedswerebad,andstrangethefood,AndInotunderstood。

  Iplacedmytrustinrankandfame,Hurrah!

  Anotherputmestraighttoshame,Lack-a-day!

  AndasIhadbeenprominent,Allscowl’duponmeasIwent,Ifoundnotonecontent。

  Iplacedmytrustinwarandfight,Hurrah!

  Wegain’dfullmanyatriumphbright,Hurrah!

  Intothefoeman’slandwecross’d,Weputourfriendstoequalcost,AndtherealegIlost。

  Mytrustisplacedinnothingnow,Hurrah!

  Atmycommandtheworldmustbow,Hurrah!

  Andaswe’veendedfeastandstrain,Thecupwe’lltothebottomdrain。

  Nodregsmustthereremain!

  1806——

  FORTUNEOFWAR。

  NOUGHTmoreaccursedinwarIknowThangettingoffscot-free。

  Inuredtodanger,onwegoInconstantvictory。

  Wefirstunpack,thenpackagain,Withonlythisreward,Thatwhenwe’remarching,wecomplain,Andwhenincamp,arebor’d。

  Thetimeforbilletingcomesnext,——

  Thepeasantcursesit。

  Eachnoblemanissorelyvex’d,’Tishatedbythecit。

  Becivil,badthoughbethyfood,Theclownspolitelytreat。

  Iftoourhostswe’reeverrude,Jail-breadwe’reforcedtoeat。

  Andwhenthecannonsgrowlaround,Andsmallarmsrattleclear,Andtrumpet,trot,anddrumresound,Wemerryallappear。

  Andasitinthefightmaychance,Weyield,thenchargeamain,Andnowretire,andnowadvance,Andyetacrossne’ergain。

  Atlengththerecomesamusket-ball,Andhitstheleg,pleaseHeaven。

  Andthenourtroublesvanishall,Fortothetownwe’redriven,Wellcover’dbythevictor’sforce,

  Whereweinwrathfirstcame,——

  Thewomen,frightenedthen,ofcourse,Arelovingnowandtame。

  Cellarandheartareopen’dwide,Thecook’sallow’dnorest。

  WhilebedswithsoftestdownsuppliedArebyourmemberspress’d。

  Thenimbleladsuponuswait,NosleepthehostesstakesHershiftistorninpiecesstraight,——

  Whatwondrouslintitmakes!

  IfonehastendedcarefullyThehero’swoundedlimb,Herneighbourcannotrest,forsheHasalsotendedhim。

  Athirdarrivesinequalhaste,Atlengththeyallarethere,AndinthemiddleheisplacedOfthewholebandsofair!

  OngoodauthoritythekingHearshowwelovethefight,Andbidsthemcrossandribbonbring,Ourcoatandbreasttodight。

  Sayifabetterfatecane’erAsonofMarspursue!

  ’Midsttearsatlengthwegofromthere,Belovedandhonour’dtoo。

  1814——

  OPENTABLE。

  MANYaguestI’dseeto-day,Mettotastemydishes!

  Foodinplentyisprepar’d,Birds,andgame,andfishes。

  Invitationsallhavehad,Allproposedattending。

  Johnny,goandlookaround!

  Aretheyhitherwending?

  PrettygirlsIhopetosee,Dearandguilelessmisses,IgnoranthowsweetitisGivingtenderkisses。

  Invitationsallhavehad,Allproposedattending。

  Johnny,goandlookaround!

  Aretheyhitherwending?

  WomenalsoIexpect,Lovingtow’rdtheirspouses,WhoserudegrumblingintheirbreastsGreaterlovebutrouses。

  Invitationsthey’vehadtoo,Allproposedattending!

  Johnny,goandlookaround!

  Aretheyhitherwending?

  I’vetooask’dyounggentlemen,Whoarefarfromhaughty,Andwhosepursesarewell-stock’d,Well-behaved,nothaughty。

  TheseespeciallyIask’d,Allproposedattending。

  Johnny,goandlookaround!

  Aretheyhitherwending?

  MenIsummon’dwithrespect,Whotheirownwivestreasure。

  WhoinoglingotherFairNevertakeapleasure。

  Tomygreetingstheyreplied,Allproposedattending。

  Johnny,goandlookaround!

  Aretheyhitherwending?

  Thentomakeourjoycomplete,PoetsIinvited,Wholoveother’ssongsfarmoreThanwhatthey’veindited。

  Allaccededtomywish,Allproposedattending。

  Johnny,goandlookaround!

  Aretheyhitherwending?

  Notasingleoneappears,Noneseemthiswayposting。

  Allthesoupboilsfastaway,Jointsareover-roasting。

  Ah,IfearthatwehavebeenRathertoounbending!

  Johnny,tellmewhatyouthink!

  Nonearehitherwending。

  Johnny,runandquicklybringOthergueststomenow!

  Eacharrivingasheis——

  That’stheplan,Iseenow。

  Inthetownatonce’tisknown,Everyone’scommending。

  Johnny,openallthedoors:

  Allarehitherwending!

  1815。*

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