RINALDO。*
[ThisCantatawaswrittenforPrinceFrederickofGotha,andsettomusicbyWinter,thePrincesingingthepartofRinaldo——SeetheAnnalen。]
*SeeTasso’sGerusalemmeLiberata,CantoXVI。
CHORUS。
Tothestrand!quick,mountthebark!
Ifnofavouringzephyrsblow,Plytheoarandnimblyrow,Andwithzealyourprowessmark!
O’ertheseawethuscareer。
RINALDO。
Oh,letmelingeroneshortmomenthere!
’Tisheaven’sdecree,Imaynothenceaway。
Theruggedcliffs,thewood-encircledbay,Holdmeaprisoner,andmyflightdelay。
Yeweresofair,butnowthatdreamiso’er。
Thecharmsofearth,thecharmsofheavenarenought。
Whatkeepsmeinthisspotsoterror-fraught?
Myonlyjoyisfledforevermore。
Letmetastethosedayssosweet,Heav’n-descended,onceagain!
Heart,dearheart!ay,warmlybeat!
Spirittrue,recallthosedaysFreebornbreaththygentlelaysMingledarewithjoyandpain。
Roundthebeds,sorichlygleaming,Risesupapalacefair。
Allwithrosyfragranceteeming,Asindreamthousaw’stitne’er。
Andthisspaciousgardenround,Farextendthegalleries。
Rosesblossomneartheground,Highinair,too,bloomthetrees。
Wat’ryflakesandjetsarefalling。
Sweetandsilv’rystrainsarise。
Whiletheturtle-doveiscalling,Andthenightingalereplies。
CHORUS。
Gentlycome!feelnoalarm,Onanobledutybent。
Vanish’dnowisev’rycharmThatbymagicpowerwaslent。
FriendlywordsandgreetingscalmOnhiswoundswillpoursoftbalm。
Fillhismindwithsweetcontent。
RINALDO。
Hark!theturtle-doveiscalling,Andthenightingalereplies。
Wat’ryflakesandjetsarefalling,Minglingwiththeirmelodies。
Butallofthemsay:
Heronlywemean。
Butallflyaway,Assoonasshe’sseen,——
Thebeauteousyoungmaiden,Withgracessorife,ThenlilyandroseInwreathsareentwining。
Indancingcombining,EachzephyrthatblowsItsbrotherisgreeting,Allflyingandmeeting,Withbalsamfullladen,Whenwaken’dtolife。
CHORUS。
No!nolongermaywewait。
Rousehimfromhisvisionstraight!
Showtheadamantineshield!
RINALDO。
Woe!whatformisherereveal’d!
CHORUS。
’Twilldisclosethecheattothee。
RINALDO。
AmIdoom’dmyselftoseeThusdegradedevermore?
CHORUS。
Couragetake,andalliso’er。
RINALDO。
Beitso!I’lltakefreshheart,Fromthespotbeloveddepart,LeaveArmidaonceagain,——
Comethen!herenomoreremain。
CHORUS。
Yes,’tiswell!nomoreremain。
SEMI-CHORUS。
Awaythen!let’sflyO’erthezephyr-kiss’docean!
Thesoul-lightedeyeSeesarmiesinmotion,SeeproudbannerswaveO’erthedust-sprinkledcourse。
CHORUS。
FromhisforefathersbraveDrawstheheronewforce。
RINALDO。
Withsorrowladen,Withinthisvalley’sAll-silentalleysThefairestmaidenAgainIsee。
Twicecanthisbe?
What!shallIhearit,AndnothavespiritToeaseherpains?
CHORUS。
Unworthychains?
RINALDO。
AndnowI’veseeher,Alas!howchanged!
Withcolddemeanour。
Andlooksestranged,Withghostlytread,——
Allhopeisfled,Yes,fledforever。
Thelightningsquiver,Eachpalacefalls。
Thegodlikehalls,EachjoyoushourOfspirit-power,Withlove’ssweetdayAllfadeaway!
CHORUS。
Yes,fadeaway!
SEMI-CHORUS。
AlreadyareheardTheprayersofthepious。
Whylongerdenyus?
ThefavouringzephyrForbidsalldelay。
CHORUS。
Away,then!away!
RINALDO。
Withheartsadlystirr’d,YourcommandIreceive。
Yeforcemetoleave。
Unkindisthezephyr,——
Oh,whereforenotstay?
CHORUS。
Away,then!away!
1811——
THEFIRSTWALPURGIS-NIGHT。
ADRUID。
SWEETsmilestheMay!
TheforestgayFromfrostandiceisfreed。
Nosnowisfound,GladsongsresoundAcrosstheverdantmead。
UpontheheightThesnowlieslight,Yetthithernowwego,TheretoextolourFather’sname,Whomweforagesknow。
Amidthesmokeshallgleamtheflame。
Thuspuretheheartwillgrow。
THEDRUIDS。
Amidthesmokeshallgleamtheflame。
ExtolwenowourFather’sname,Whomweforagesknow!
Up,up,then,letusgo!
ONEOFTHEPEOPLE。
Wouldye,then,sorashlyact?
Wouldyeinstantdeathattract?
KnowyenotthecruelthreatsOfthevictorsweobey?
RoundaboutareplacedtheirnetsInthesinfulheathen’sway。
Ah!upontheloftywallWifeandchildrenslaughterthey。
AndweallHastentoacertainfall。
CHORUSOFWOMEN。
Ay,uponthecamp’shighwallAllourchildrenlovedtheyslay。
Ah,whatcruelvictorsthey!
AndweallHastentoacertainfall。
ADRUID。
Whofearsto-dayHisritestopay,Deserveshischainstowear。
Theforest’sfree!
Thiswoodtakewe,Andstraightapileprepare!
YetinthewoodTostay’tisgoodByday,tillallisstill,Withwatchersallaroundusplac’dProtectingyoufromill。
Withcouragefresh,thenletushasteOurdutiestofulfil。
CHORUSOFWATCHERS。
Yevaliantwatchers,nowdivideYournumbersthroughtheforestwide,Andseethatallisstill,Whiletheytheirritesfulfil。
AWATCHER。
Letusinacunningwise,YondullChristianpriestssurpriseWiththedeviloftheirtalkWe’llthoseverypriestsconfound。
Comewithprong,andcomewithfork。
RaiseawildandrattlingsoundThroughthelivelongnight,andprowlAlltherockypassesround。
Screechowl,owl,Joininchoruswithourhowl!
CHORUSOFWATCHERS。
Comewithprong,andcomewithfork,Likethedeviloftheirtalk,Andwithwildlyrattlingsound,Prowlthedesertrocksaround!
Screechowl,owl,Joininchoruswithourhowl!
ADRUID。
Thusfar’tisright。
ThatwebynightOurFather’spraisessing。
Yetwhen’tisday,ToTheewemayAheartunsulliedbring。
’Tistruethatnow,Andoften,ThouFav’restthefoeinfight。
Asfromthesmokeisfreedtheblaze,Soletourfaithburnbright!
Andiftheycrushourgoldenways,Whoe’ercancrushThylight?
ACHRISTIANWATCHER。
Comrades,quick!youraidafford!
Allthebroodofhell’sabroad。
SeehowtheirenchantedformsThroughandthroughwithflamesareglowing!
Dragon-women,men-wolfswarms,Oninquicksuccessiongoing!
Letus,letushastetofly!
Wilderyetthesoundsaregrowing,Andthearchfiendroarsonhigh。
FromthegroundHellishvapoursrisearound。
CHORUSOFCHRISTIANWATCHERS。
Terribleenchantedforms,Dragon-women,men-wolfswarms!
Wilderyetthesoundsaregrowing!
See,thearchfiendcomes,all-glowing!
FromthegroundHellishvapoursrisearound!
CHORUSOFDRUIDS。
Asfromthesmokeisfreedtheblaze,Soletourfaithburnbright!
Andiftheycrushourgoldenways,Whoe’ercancrushThylight?
1799——
ODES——
THESEarethemostsingularofallthePoemsofGoethe,andtomanywillappearsowildandfantastic,astoleaveanythingbutapleasingimpression。Thoseatthebeginning,addressedtohisfriendBehrisch,werewrittenattheageofeighteen,andmostoftheremainderwerecomposedwhilehewasstillquiteyoung。
Despite,however,theextravaganceofsomeofthem,suchastheWinterJourneyovertheHartzMountains,andtheWanderer’sStorm-Song,nothingcanbefinerthanthenobleoneentitledMahomet’sSong,andothers,suchastheSpiritSong’overtheWaters,TheGod-like,and,aboveall,themagnificentsketchofPrometheus,whichformspartofanunfinishedpiecebearingthesamename,andcalledbyGoethea’DramaticFragment。’
TOMYFRIEND。
[ThesethreeOdesareaddressedtoacertainBehrisch,whowastutortoCountLindenau,andofwhomGoethegivesanoddaccountattheendoftheSeventhBookofhisAutobiography。]
FIRSTODE。
TRANSPLANTthebeauteoustree!
Gardener,itgivesmepain。
Ahappierresting-placeItstrunkdeserved。
YetthestrengthofitsnatureToEarth’sexhaustingavarice,ToAir’sdestructiveinroads,Anantidoteopposed。
SeehowitinspringtimeCoinsitspalegreenleaves!
Theirorange-fragrancePoisonseachflyblowstraight。
Thecaterpillar’stoothIsbluntedbythem。
Withsilv’ryhuestheygleamInthebrightsunshine,ItstwigsthemaidenFainwouldtwineinHerbridal-garland。
Youthsitsfruitareseeking。
See,theautumncometh!
ThecaterpillarSighstothecraftyspider,——
Sighsthatthetreewillnotfade。
Hov’ringthitherFromoutheryew-treedwelling,ThegaudyfoeadvancesAgainstthekindlytree,Andcannothurtit,ButthemoreartfuloneDefileswithnauseousvenomItssilverleaves。
AndseeswithtriumphHowthemaidenshudders,Theyouth,howmournshe,Onpassingby。
Transplantthebeauteoustree!
Gardener,itgivesmepain。
Tree,thankthegardenerWhomovestheehence!
1767——
SECONDODE。
THOUgo’st!Imurmur——
Go!letmemurmur。
Oh,worthyman,Flyfromthisland!
Deadlymarshes,SteamingmistsofOctoberHereinterweavetheircurrents,Blendingforever。
NoisomeinsectsHereareengender’d。
FataldarknessVeilstheirmalice。
Thefiery-tonguedserpent,Hardbythesedgybank,Stretcheshispamper’dbody,Caress’dbythesun’sbrightbeams。
Temptnogentlenight-ramblesUnderthemoon’scoldtwilight!
LoathsometoadsholdtheirmeetingsYonderateverycrossway。
Injuringnot,Fearwilltheycausethee。
Oh,worthyman,Flyfromthisland!
1767——
THIRDODE。
BEvoidoffeeling!
Aheartthatsoonisstirr’d,IsapossessionsadUponthischangingearth。
Behrisch,letspring’ssweetsmileNevergladdenthybrow!
Thenwinter’sgloomytempestsNeverwillshadowito’er。
Leanthyselfne’eronamaiden’sSorrow-engenderingbreast。
Ne’eronthearm,Misery-fraught,ofafriend。
AlreadyenvyFromouthisrockyambushUpontheeturnsTheforceofhislynx-likeeyes,Stretcheshistalons,Ontheefalls,InthyshouldersCunninglyplantsthem。
Strongarehisskinnyarms,Aspanther-claws。
Heshakeththee,Andrendsthyframe。
Death’tistopart,’TisthreefolddeathTopart,nothopingEvertomeetagain。
ThouwouldstrejoicetoleaveThishatedlandbehind,Wertthounotchain’dtomeWithfriendshipsflowerychains。
Burstthem!I’llnotrepine。
NonoblefriendWouldstayhisfellow-captive,Ifmeansofflightappear。
TheremembranceOfhisdearfriend’sfreedomGiveshimfreedomInhisdungeon。
Thougo’st,——I’mleft。
Bute’enalreadyThelastyear’swingedspokesWhirlroundthesmokingaxle。
InumbertheturnsOfthethunderingwheel。
ThelastoneIbless——
Eachbarthenisbroken,I’mfreethenasthou!
1767——
MAHOMET’SSONG。
[ThissongwasintendedtobeintroducedinadramaticpoementitledMahomet,theplanofwhichwasnotcarriedoutbyGoethe。HementionsthatitwastohavebeensungbyAlitowardstheendofthepiece,inhonorofhismaster,Mahomet,shortlybeforehisdeath,andwhenattheheightofhisglory,ofwhichitistypical。]
SEEtherock-bornstream!
LikethegleamOfastarsobrightKindlyspiritsHighabovethecloudsNourishedhimwhileyouthfulInthecopsebetweenthecliffs。
Youngandfresh。
FromthecloudshedancethDownuponthemarblerocks。
Thentow’rdheavenLeapsexulting。
Throughthemountain-passesChasethhethecolour’dpebbles,And,advancinglikeachief,TearshisbrotherstreamletswithhimInhiscourse。
Inthevalleydownbelow’Neathhisfootstepsspringtheflowers,AndthemeadowInhisbreathfindslife。
Yetnoshadyvalecanstayhim,Norcanflowers,Roundhiskneesall-softlytwiningWiththeirlovingeyesdetainhim。
Totheplainhiscoursehetaketh,Serpent-winding,SocialstreamletsJoinhiswaters。AndnowmovesheO’ertheplaininsilv’ryglory,Andtheplaininhimexults,Andtheriversfromtheplain,Andthestreamletsfromthemountain,Shoutwithjoy,exclaiming:Brother,Brother,takethybrethrenwiththee,Withtheetothineagedfather,Totheeverlastingocean,Who,witharmsoutstretchingfar,Waitethforus。
Ah,invainthosearmslieopenToembracehisyearningchildren。
ForthethirstysandconsumesusInthedesertwaste。thesunbeamsDrinkourlife-blood。hillsaroundusIntolakeswoulddamus!Brother,Takethybrethrenoftheplain,TakethybrethrenofthemountainWiththee,tothyfather’sarms!
Letallcome,then!——
AndnowswellsheLordlierstill。yea,e’enapeopleBearshisregalfloodonhigh!
Andintriumphonwardrolling,Namestocountriesgiveshe,——citiesSpringtolightbeneathhisfoot。
Ever,ever,onherushes,Leavesthetowers’flame-tipp’dsummits,Marblepalaces,theoffspringOfhisfullness,farbehind。
Cedar-housesbearstheAtlasOnhisgiantshoulders。flutt’ringInthebreezefar,farabovehimThousandflagsaregailyfloating,Bearingwitnesstohismight。
Andsobearethhehisbrethren,Allhistreasures,allhischildren,Wildlyshouting,tothebosomOfhislong-expectantsire。
1774——
SPIRITSONGOVERTHEWATERS。
THEsoulofmanResemblethwater:
Fromheavenitcometh,Toheavenitsoareth。
AndthenagainToearthdescendeth,Changingever。
DownfromtheloftyRockywallStreamsthebrightflood,ThenspreadethgentlyIncloudybillowsO’erthesmoothrock,Andwelcomedkindly,Veiling,onroamsit,Softmurmuring,Tow’rdtheabyss。
CliffsprojectingOpposeitsprogress,——
AngrilyfoamsitDowntothebottom,Stepbystep。
Now,inflatchannel,Throughthemeadowlandstealsit,Andinthepolish’dlakeEachconstellationJoyouslypeepeth。
WindisthelovingWooerofwaters。
WindblendstogetherBillowsall-foaming。
Spiritofman,Thouartlikeuntowater!
Fortuneofman,Thouartlikeuntowind!
1789。*——
MYGODDESS。
SAY,whichImmortalMeritsthehighestreward?
WithnonecontendI,ButIwillgiveitTotheaye-changing,Ever-movingWondrousdaughterofJove。
Hisbest-belovedoffspring。
SweetPhantasy。
ForuntoherHathhegrantedAllthefancieswhicherstTononeallow’dheSavinghimself。
NowhetakeshispleasureInthemadone。
Shemay,crownedwithroses,Withstafftwinedroundwithlilies,Roamthro’flow’ryvalleys,Rulethebutterfly-people,Andsoft-nourishingdewWithbee-likelipsDrinkfromtheblossom:
OrelseshemayWithflutteringhairAndgloomylooksSighinthewindRoundrockycliffs,Andthousand-hued。
Likemornandeven。
Everchanging,Likemoonbeam’slight,Tomortalsappear。
Letusall,then,AdoretheFather!
Theold,themighty,WhosuchabeauteousNe’er-fadingspouseDeignstoaccordToperishingmortals!
TousaloneDothheuniteher,Withheavenlybonds,Whilehecommandsher,injoyandsorrow,AsatruespouseNevertoflyus。
AlltheremainingRacessopoorOflife-teemingearth。
Inchildrensorich。
WanderandfeedInvacantenjoyment,And’midthedarksorrowsOfevanescentRestrictedlife,——
Bow’dbytheheavyYokeofNecessity。
ButuntousheHathhismostversatile,MostcherisheddaughterGranted,——whatjoy!
LovinglygreetherAsabelovedone!
Giveherthewoman’sPlaceinourhome!
Andoh,maytheagedStepmotherWisdomHergentlespiritNe’erseektoharm!
YetknowIhersister,Theolder,sedater,Mineownsilentfriend。
Oh,mayshenever,Tilllife’slampisquench’d,Turnawayfromme,——
Thatnobleinciter,Comforter,——Hope!
1781——
WINTERJOURNEYOVERTHEHARTZMOUNTAINS。
[Thefollowingexplanationisnecessary,inordertomakethisodeinanywayintelligible。ThePoetissupposedtoleavehiscompanions,whoareproceedingonahuntingexpeditioninwinter,inorderhimselftopayavisittoahypochondriacalfriend,andalsotoseetheminingintheHartzmountains。Theodealternatelydescribes,inaveryfragmentaryandpeculiarmanner,thenaturallyhappydispositionofthePoethimselfandtheunhappinessofhisfriend。itpicturesthewildnessoftheroadandthedrearinessoftheprospect,whichisrelievedatonespotbythedistantsightofatown,averyvagueallusiontowhichismadeinthethirdstrophe。itrecallsthehuntingpartyonwhichhiscompanionshavegone。andafteranaddresstoLove,concludesbyacontrastbetweentheunexploredrecessesofthehighestpeakoftheHartzandthemetalliferousveinsofitssmallerbrethren。]
LIKEthevultureWhoonheavymorningcloudsWithgentlewingreposingLooksforhisprey,——
Hover,mysong!
ForaGodhathUntoeachprescribedHisdestinedpath,WhichthehappyoneRunso’erswiftlyTohisgladgoal:
HewhoseheartcruelFatehathcontracted,StrugglesbutvainlyAgainstallthebarriersThebrazenthreadraises,ButwhichtheharshshearsMustonedaysever。
ThroughgloomythicketsPresseththewilddeeron,AndwiththesparrowsLonghavethewealthySettledthemselvesinthemarsh。
Easy’tisfollowingthechariotThatbyFortuneisdriven,LikethebaggagethatmovesOverwell-mendedhighwaysAfterthetrainofaprince。
Butwhostandsthereapart?
Inthethicket,lostishispath。
BehindhimthebushesAreclosingtogether,Thegrassspringsupagain,Thedesertengulphshim。
Ah,who’llhealhisafflictions,Towhombalsamwaspoison,Who,fromlove’sfullness,Drankinmisanthropyonly?
Firstdespised,andnowadespiser,He,insecret,wastethAllthatheisworth,Inaselfishnessvain。
Iftherebe,onthypsaltery,FatherofLove,butonetoneThattohisearmaybepleasing,Oh,then,quickenhisheart!
Clearhiscloud-envelopedeyesOverthethousandfountainsClosebythethirstyoneInthedesert。
Thouwhocreatestmuchjoy,Foreachameasureo’erflowing,BlessthesonsofthechaseWhenonthetrackoftheprey,Withawildthirstingforblood,YouthfulandjoyousAvenginglatetheinjusticeWhichthepeasantresistedVainlyforyearswithhisstaff。
ButthelonelyoneveilWithinthygoldclouds!
Surroundwithwinter-green,Untiltherosesbloomagain,Thehumidlocks,OhLove,ofthyminstrel!
WiththyglimmeringtorchLightestthouhimThroughthefordswhen’tisnight,OverbottomlessplacesOndesert-likeplains。
WiththethousandcoloursofmorningGladd’nesthisbosom。
Withthefierce-bitingstormBearesthimproudlyonhigh。
Wintertorrentsrushfromthecliffs,——
Blendwithhispsalms。
AnaltarofgratefuldelightHefindsinthemuch-dreadedmountain’sSnow-begirdedsummit,WhichforebodingnationsCrown’dwithspirit-dances。
Thoustand’stwithbreastinscrutable,Mysteriouslydisclosed,Higho’erthewonderingworld,Andlook’stfromcloudsUponitsrealmsanditsmajesty,WhichthoufromtheveinsofthybrethrenNeartheedostwater。
1777——
TOFATHER*KRONOS。
[writteninapost-chaise。]
*Intheoriginal,Schwager,whichhasthetwofoldmeaningofbrother-in-lawandpostilion。
HASTENthee,Kronos!
OnwithclatteringtrotDownhillgoeththypath。
Loathsomedizzinessever,Whenthoudelayest,assailsme。
Quick,rattlealong,OverstockandstoneletthytrotIntolifestraightwayleadNowoncemoreUpthetoilsomeascentHasten,pantingforbreath!
Up,then,noridlebe,——
Strivingandhoping,up,up!
Wide,high,glorioustheviewGazingrounduponlife,WhilefrommountuntomountHoversthespiriteterne,Lifeeternalforeboding。
Sidewaysaroof’spleasantshadeAttractsthee,AndalookthatpromisescoolnessOnthemaidenlythreshold。
Thererefreshthee!And,maiden,Givemethisfoamingdraughtalso,Givemethishealth-ladenlook!
Down,now!quickerstill,down!
SeewherethesunsetsErehesets,ereoldageSeizethmeinthemorass,Eremytoothlessjawsmumble,Andmyuselesslimbstotter。
WhiledrunkwithhisfarewellbeamHurlme,——afieryseaFoamingstillinmineeye,——
Hurlme,whiledazzledandreeling,Downtothegloomyportalofhell。
Blow,then,gossip,thyhorn,Speedonwithechoingtrot,SothatOrcusmayknowwearecoming。
SothatourhostmaywithjoyWaitatthedoortoreceiveus。
1774——
THEWANDERER’SSTORM-SONG。
[Goethesaysofthisode,thatitistheonlyoneremainingoutofseveralstrangehymnsanddithyrambscomposedbyhimataperiodofgreatunhappiness,whenthelove-affairbetweenhimandFredericahadbeenbrokenoffbyhim。Heusedtosingthemwhilewanderingwildlyaboutthecountry。Thisparticularonewascausedbyhisbeingcaughtinatremendousstormononeoftheseoccasions。Hecallsitahalf-crazypiecehalkunsinn,andthereaderwillprobablyagreewithhim。]
Hewhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,FeelsnodreadwithinhisheartAtthetempestortherain。
Hewhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,Willtotherain-clouds,Willtothehailstorm,SinginreplyAsthelarksings,Ohthouonhigh!
Himwhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,Thouwiltraiseabovethemud-trackWiththyfierypinions。
Hewillwander,As,withfloweryfeet,OverDeucalion’sdarkflood,Python-slaying,light,glorious,PythiusApollo。
Himwhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,ThouwiltplaceuponthyfleecypinionWhenhesleepethontherock,——
ThouwiltshelterwiththyguardianwingIntheforest’smidnighthour。
Himwhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,ThouwiltwrapupwarmlyInthesnow-drift。
Tow’rdthewarmthapproachtheMuses,Tow’rdthewarmthapproachtheGraces。
YeMuses,hoverroundme!
YeGracesalso!
Thatiswater,thatisearth,AndthesonofwaterandofearthOverwhichIwander,Likethegods。
Yearepure,liketheheartofthewater,Yearepurelikethemarrowofearth,Hov’ringroundme,whileIhoverOverwater,o’ertheearthLikethegods。
Shallhe,then,return,Thesmall,thedark,thefierypeasant?
Shallhe,then,return,waitingOnlythygifts,ohFatherBromius,Andbrightlygleaming,warmth-spreadingfire?
Returnwithjoy?
AndI,whomyeattended,YeMusesandyeGraces,Whomallawaitsthatye,YeMusesandyeGraces,OfcirclingblissinlifeHaveglorified——shallI
Returndejected?
FatherBromius!
ThourttheGenius,Geniusofages,Thou’rtwhatinwardglowToPindarwas,WhattotheworldPhoebusApollo。
Woe!WoeInwardwarmth,Spirit-warmth,Central-point!
Glow,andviewithPhoebusApollo!
ColdlysoonHisregallookOvertheewillswiftlyglide,——
Envy-struckLingero’erthecedar’sstrength,Which,toflourish,Waitshimnot。
Whydothmylaynametheethelast?
Thee,fromwhomitbegan,Thee,inwhomitendeth,Thee,fromwhomitflows,JupiterPluvius!
Tow’rdtheestreamsmysong。
AndaCastalianspringRunsasafellow-brook,Runstotheidleones,Mortal,happyones,Apartfromthee,Whocov’restmearound,JupiterPluvius!
Notbytheelm-treeHimdidstthouvisit,WiththepairofdovesHeldinhisgentlearm,——
Withthebeauteousgarlandofroses,——
Caressinghim,soblestinhisflowers,Anacreon,Storm-breathinggodhead!
Notinthepoplargrove,NeartheSybaris’strand,Notonthemountain’sSun-illuminedbrowDidstthouseizehim,Theflower-singing,Honey-breathing,SweetlynoddingTheocritus。
Whenthewheelswererattling,Wheelonwheeltow’rdthegoal,HigharoseThesoundofthelashOfyouthswithvictoryglowing,Inthedustrolling,AsfromthemountainfallShowersofstonesinthevale——
Thenthysoulwasbrightlyglowing,Pindar——
Glowing?Poorheart!
There,onthehill,——
Heavenlymight!
ButenoughglowThithertowend,Whereismycot!
1771——
THESEA-VOYAGE。
MANYadayandnightmybarkstoodreadyladen。
Waitingfav’ringwinds,Isatwithtruefriendsroundme,Pledgingmetopatienceandtocourage,Inthehaven。
Andtheyspokethuswithimpatiencetwofold:
Gladlyprayweforthyrapidpassage,Gladlyforthyhappyvoyage。fortuneInthedistantworldiswaitingforthee,Inourarmsthoultfindthyprize,andlovetoo,Whenreturning。
Andwhenmorningcame,aroseanuproar,Andthesailors’joyousshoutsawokeus。
Allwasstirring,allwasliving,moving,Bentonsailingwiththefirstkindzephyr。
Andthesailssooninthebreezeareswelling,Andthesunwithfieryloveinvitesus。
Fill’dthesailsare,cloudsonhigharefloating,OntheshoreeachfriendexultingraisesSongsofhope,ingiddyjoyexpectingJoythevoyagethrough,asonthemornofsailing,Andtheearlieststarrynightssoradiant。
ButbyGod-sentchangingwindserelonghe’sdrivenSidewaysfromthecoursehehadintended,Andhefeignsasthoughhewouldsurrender,Whilehegentlystrivethtooutwitthem,Tohisgoal,e’enwhenthuspress’d,stillfaithful。
Butfromoutthedampgreydistancerising,Softlynowthestormproclaimsitsadvent,Pressethdowneachbirduponthewaters,Pressethdownthethrobbingheartsofmortals。
Anditcometh。Atitsstubbornfury,Wiselyev’rysailtheseamanstriketh。
Withtheanguish-ladenballaresportingWindandwater。
Andonyondershorearegather’dstanding,Friendsandlovers,tremblingfortheboldone:
Why,alas,remain’dheherenotwithus!
Ah,thetempest!Castawaybyfortune!
Mustthegoodoneperishinthisfashion?
Mightnotheperchance……Yegreatimmortals!
Yethe,likeaman,standsbyhisrudder。
Withthebarkaresportingwindandwater,Windandwatersportnotwithhisbosom:
Onthefiercedeeplookshe,asamaster,——
Inhisgods,orshipwreck’d,orsafelanded,Trustingever。
1776——
THEEAGLEANDDOVE。
INsearchofpreyonceraisedhispinionsAneaglet。
Ahuntsman’sarrowcame,andreftHisrightwingofallmotivepower。
Headlonghefellintoamyrtlegrove,Forthreelongdaysonanguishfed,IntormentwrithedThroughoutthreelong,threewearynights。
Andthenwascured,Thankstoall-healingNature’sSoft,omnipresentbalm。
Hecreptawayfromoutthecopse,Andstretch’dhiswing——alas!
Lostisallpowerofflight——
HescarcecanlifthimselfFromoffthegroundTocatchsomemean,unworthyprey,Andrests,deep-sorrowing,Onthelowrockbesidethestream。
Uptotheoakhelooks,Looksuptoheaven,Whileinhisnobleeyetheregleamsatear。
Then,rustlingthroughthemyrtleboughs,behold,Therecomesawantonpairofdoves,Whosettledown,and,nodding,strutO’erthegoldsandsbesidethestream,Andgraduallyapproach。
Theirred-tingedeyes,sofulloflove,Soonseetheinward-sorrowingone。
Themale,inquisitivelysocial,leapsOnthenextbush,andlooksUponhimkindlyandcomplacently。
Thousorrowest,murmurshe:
Beofgoodcheer,myfriend!
AllthatisneededforcalmhappinessHastthounothere?
HastthounotpleasureinthegoldenboughThatshieldstheefromtheday’sfierceglow?
Canstthounotraisethybreasttocatch,Onthesoftmossbesidethebrook,Thesun’slastraysateven?
Herethoumaystwanderthroughtheflowers’freshdew,PluckfromtheoverflowTheforest-treesprovide,Thychoicestfood,——maystquenchThylightthirstatthesilveryspring。
Ohfriend,truehappinessLiesincontentedness,AndthatcontentednessFindseverywhereenough。
Oh,wiseone!saidtheeagle,whilehesankIndeepandeverdeep’ningthought——
OhWisdom!likeadovethouspeakest!
1774。*——
PROMETHEUS。
COVERthyspaciousheavens,Zeus,Withcloudsofmist,And,liketheboywholopsThethistles’heads,Disportwithoaksandmountain-peaks,YetthoumustleaveMyearthstillstanding。
Mycottagetoo,whichwasnotraisedbythee。
Leavememyhearth,WhosekindlyglowBytheeisenvied。
IknownoughtpoorerUnderthesun,thanyegods!
Yenourishpainfully,WithsacrificesAndvotiveprayers,Yourmajesty:
Yewoulde’enstarve,IfchildrenandbeggarsWerenottrustingfools。
WhileyetachildAndignorantoflife,IturnedmywanderinggazeUptow’rdthesun,asifwithhimTherewereaneartohearmywailings,Aheart,likemine,Tofeelcompassionfordistress。
Whohelp’dmeAgainsttheTitans’insolence?
Whorescuedmefromcertaindeath,Fromslavery?
Didstthounotdoallthisthyself,Mysacredglowingheart?
Andglowedst,youngandgood,DeceivedwithgratefulthanksToyonderslumberingone?
Ihonourthee!andwhy?
Hastthoue’erlighten’dthesorrowsOftheheavyladen?
Hastthoue’erdriedupthetearsOftheanguish-stricken?
WasInotfashion’dtobeamanByomnipotentTime,AndbyeternalFate,Mastersofmeandthee?
Didstthoue’erfancyThatlifeIshouldlearntohate,Andflytodeserts,BecausenotallMyblossomingdreamsgrewripe?
HeresitI,formingmortalsAftermyimage。
Araceresemblingme,Tosuffer,toweep,Toenjoy,tobeglad,Andtheetoscorn,AsI!
1773——
GANYMEDE。
How,inthelightofmorning,Roundmethouglowest,Spring,thoubelovedone!
Withthousand-varyinglovingblissThesacredemotionsBornofthywarmtheternalPress’gainstmybosom,Thouendlesslyfairone!
CouldIbutholdtheeclasp’dWithinminearms!
Ah!uponthybosomLayI,pining,Andthenthyflowers,thygrass,Werepressingagainstmyheart。
ThoucoolesttheburningThirstofmybosom,Beauteousmorningbreeze!
ThenightingalethencallsmeSweetlyfromoutofthemistyvale。
Icome,Icome!
Whither?Ah,whither?
Up,up,liesmycourse。
WhiledownwardthecloudsArehovering,thecloudsArebendingtomeetyearninglove。
Forme,WithinthinearmsUpwards!
Embracedandembracing!
Upwardsintothybosom,OhFatherall-loving!
1789。*——
THEBOUNDARIESOFHUMANITY。
WHENtheprimevalAll-holyFatherSowswithatranquilhandFromclouds,astheyroll,Bliss-spreadinglightningsOvertheearth,ThendoIkissthelastHemofhisgarment,WhilebyachildlikeaweFiil’dismybreast。
ForwithimmortalsNe’ermayamortalMeasurehimself。
IfhesoarupwardsAndifhetouchWithhisforeheadthestars,NowherewillrestthenHisinsecurefeet,AndwithhimsportTempestandcloud。
ThoughwithfirmsinewyLimbshemaystandOntheenduringWell-groundedearth,AllheiseverAbletodo,IstoresembleTheoakorthevine。
WhereindogodsDifferfrommortals?
InthattheformerSeeendlessbillowsHeavingbeforethem。
UsdoththebillowLiftupandswallow,Sothatweperish。
SmallistheringEnclosingourlife,AndwholegenerationsLinkthemselvesfirmlyOntoexistence’sChainnever-ending。
1789。*——
THEGODLIKE。
NOBLEbeman,Helpfulandgood!
ForthataloneDistinguishethhimFromallthebeingsUntousknown。
Hailtothebeings,Unknownandglorious,Whomweforebode!
FromhisexampleLearnwetoknowthem!
ForunfeelingNatureisever:
OnbadandongoodThesunalikeshineth。
Andonthewicked,Asonthebest,Themoonandstarsgleam。
Tempestandtorrent,Thunderandhail,Roarontheirpath,Seizingthewhile,Astheyhasteonward,Oneafteranother。
Evenso,fortuneGropes’midthethrong——
Innocentboyhood’sCurlyheadseizing,——
SeizingthehoaryHeadofthesinner。
Afterlawsmighty,Brazen,eternal,MustallwemortalsFinishthecircuitOfourexistence。
Man,andmanonlyCandotheimpossible。
He’tisdistinguisheth,Choosethandjudgeth。
HetothemomentEndurancecanlend。
HeandheonlyThegoodcanreward,Thebadcanhepunish,Canhealandcansave。
AllthatwandersandstraysCanusefullyblend。
AndwepayhomageTotheimmortalsAsthoughtheyweremen,Anddidinthegreat,Whatthebest,inthesmall,Doesormightdo。
Bethemanthatisnoble,Bothhelpfulandgood。
UnweariedlyformingTherightandtheuseful,AtypeofthosebeingsOurmindhathforeshadow’d!
1782——
MISCELLANEOUSPOEMS——
inthewaresbeforeyouspread,Typesofallthingsmayberead——
THEGERMANPARNASSUS。
’NEATHtheshadowOfthesebushes,OnthemeadowWherethecoolingwatergushes。
Phoebusgaveme,whenaboy,Alllife’sfullnesstoenjoy。
So,insilence,astheGodBadethemwithhissov’reignnod,SacredMusestrain’dmydaysTohispraise——
Withthebrightandsilv’ryfloodOfParnassusstirr’dmyblood,AndthesealsopureandchasteBythemonmylipswasplaced。
Withhermodestpinions,see,Philomelencirclesme!
Inthesebushes,inyongrove,Callsshetohersister-throng,AndtheirheavenlychoralsongTeachesmetodreamoflove。
FullnesswaxesinmybreastOfemotionssocial,blest。
Friendship’snurtured膌oveawakes,——
AndthesilencePhoebusbreaksOfhismountains,ofhisvales,Sweetlyblowthebalmygales。
Allforwhomheshowsaffection,Whoareworthyhisprotection,Gladlyfollowhisdirection。
ThisonecomeswithjoyousbearingAndwithopen,radiantgaze。
Thatasternerlookiswearing,Thisone,scarcelycured,withdaringWakesthestrengthofformerdays。
Forthesweet,destructiveflamePiercedhismarrowandhisframe。
ThatwhichAmorstolebeforePhoebusonlycanrestore,Peace,andjoy,andharmony,Aspirationspureandfree。
Brethren,riseye!
Numbersprizeye!
Deedsofworthresemblethey。
WhocanbetterthanthebardGuideafriendwhengoneastray?
Ifhisdutyheregard,Morehe’lldo,thanothersmay。
Yes!afarIhearthemsing!
Yes!Ihearthemtouchthestring,AndwithmightygodlikestrokeRightanddutytheyinspire,Andevoke,Astheysing,andwakethelyre,Tendenciesofnoblestworth,Toeachtypeofstrengthgivebirth。
PhantasiesofsweetestpowerFlowerRoundaboutonev’rybough,BendingnowLikethemagicwoodofold,’Neaththefruitthatgleamslikegold。
WhatwefeelandwhatweviewInthelandofhighestbliss,——
Thisdearsoil,asunlikethis,——
Luresthebestofwomentoo。
AndtheMuses’breathingsblestRousethemaiden’sgentlebreast,Tunethethroattominstrelsy,Andwithcheeksofbeauteousdye,Biditsingaworthysong,Sitthesister-bandamong。
Andtheirstrainsgrowsofterstill,Astheyviewithearnestwill。
OneamongstthebandbetimesGoestowanderBythebeeches,’neaththelimes,Yonderseeking,findingyonderThatwhichinthemorning-groveShehadlostthroughroguishLove,Allherbreast’sfirstaspirations,Andherheart’scalmmeditations,TotheshadywoodsofairGentlystealing,Takesshethatwhichmancanne’erDulymerit,——eachsoftfeeling,——
DisregardsthenoontiderayAndthedewatcloseofday,?
Intheplainherpathsheloses。
Ne’erdisturbheronherway!
Seekhersilently,yeMusesShoutsIhear,whereinthesoundOfthewaterfallisdrown’d。
Fromthegroveloudclamoursrise,Strangethetumult,strangethecries。
SeeIrightly?Canitbe?
Totheverysanctuary,Lo,animpioustroopin-hies!
O’erthelandStreamstheband。
Hotdesire,Drunken-fireIntheirgazeWildlyplays,——
MakestheirhairBristlethere。
Andthetroop,Withfellswoop,Women,men,Comingthen,PlytheirblowsAndexpose,Voidofshame,Alltheframe。
Ironshot,Fierceandhot,StrikewithfearOntheear。
AlltheyslayOntheirway。
O’erthelandPourstheband。
AlltakeflightAttheirsight。
Ah,o’erev’ryplanttheyrush!
Ah,theircruelfootstepscrushAlltheflowersthatfilltheirpath!
Whowilldaretostemtheirwrath?
Brethren,letusventureall!
Virtueinyourpurecheekglows。
PhoebuswillattendourcallWhenheseesourheavywoes。
AndthatwemayhavearightWeaponssuitedtothefight,Hethemountainshakethnow——
FromitsbrowRattlingdownStoneonstoneThroughthethicketspreadappear。
Brethren,seizethem!Whereforefear?
Nowthevillaincrewassail,Asthoughwithastormofhail,AndexpelthestrangerswildFromtheseregionssoftandmildWherethesunhaseversmil’d!
WhatstrangewonderdoIsee?
Canitbe?
Allmylimbsofpowerarereft。
Andallstrengthmyhandhasleft。
Canithe?
NonearestrangersthatIsee!
Andourbrethren’tiswhogoOnbefore,thewaytoshow!
Oh,therecklessimpiousones!
Howthey,withtheirjarringtones,Beatthetime,asontheyhie!
Quick,mybrethren!——letusfly!
Totherashones,yetaword!
Ay,myvoiceshallnowbeheard,Asapealofthunder,strong!
Wordsaspoets’armsweremade,——
Whenthegodwillheobey’d,Followfasthisdartserelong。
WasitpossiblethatyeThusyourgodlikedignityShouldforget?TheThyrsusrudeMustaheavyburdenfeelTothehandbutwonttostealO’erthelyreingentlemood。
Fromthesparklingwaterfalls,Fromthebrookthatpurlingcalls,ShallSilenus’loathsomebeastBeallow’datwilltofeast?
Aganippe’s*wavehesipsWithprofaneandspreadinglips,——
Withungainlyfeetstampsmadly,Tillthewatersflowonsadly。
FainI’dthinkmyselfdeludedInthesadd’ningsoundsIhear。
FromtheholygladessecludedHatefultonesassailtheear。
Laughterwildexchangehowmournful!
Takestheplaceoflove’ssweetdream。
Women-hatersandthescornfulInexultingchorusscream。
NightingaleandturtledoveFlytheirnestssowarmandchaste,And,inflamedwithsensuallove,HoldstheFauntheNymphembrac’d。
Hereagarment’stornaway,Scoffssucceedtheirsatedbliss,Whilethegod,withangryray,Looksuponeachimpiouskiss。
Vapour,smoke,asfromafire,AndadvancingcloudsIview。
Chordsnotonlygracethelyre,Forthebowitschordsbathtoo。
Eventheadorer’sheartDreadsthewildadvancinghand,FortheflamesthatroundthemdartShowthefiercedestroyer’shand。
OhneglectnotwhatIsay,ForIspeakitlovingly!
Fromourboundarieshasteaway,Fromthegod’sdreadangerfly!
Cleanseoncemoretheholyplace,Turnthesavagetrainaside!
EarthcontainsuponitsfaceManyaspotunsanctified。
Hereweonlyprizethegood。
Starsunsulliedroundusburn。
Ifye,inrepentantmood,Fromyourwanderingswouldreturn,——
IfyefailtofindtheblissThatyefoundwithusofyore,——
OrwhenlawlessmirthlikethisGivesyourheartsdelightnomore,——
Thenreturninpilgrimguise,Gladlyupthemountaingo,Whileyourstrainsrepentantrise,Andourbrethren’sadventshow。
Letanew-bornwreathentwineSolemnlyyourtemplesround。
RaptureglowsinheartsdivineWhenalong-lostsinner’sfound。
Swiftere’enthanLathe’sfloodRoundDeath’ssilenthousecanplay,Ev’ryerrorofthegoodWilllove’schalicewashaway。
Allwillhasteyourstepstomeet,Asyecomeinmajesty,——
Menyourblessingwillentreat——
Oursyethuswilldoublybe!
1798。
*Aganippe——AspringinBoeotia,whicharoseoutofMountHelicon,andwassacredtoApolloandtheMuses。