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。*