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。*