THEDROPSOFNECTAR。
  WHENMinerva,togivepleasureToPrometheus,herwell-lovedone,BroughtabrimmingbowlofnectarFromthegloriousrealmsofheavenAsablessingforhiscreatures,AndtopourintotheirbosomsImpulsesforartsennobling,Shewithrapidfootstephasten’d,FearingJupitermightseeher,Andthegoldengoblettrembled,AndtherefellafewdropsfromitOntheverdantplainbeneathher。
  ThenthebusybeesflewthitherStraightway,eagerlytodrinkthem,AndthebutterflycamequicklyThathe,too,mightfindadropthere。
  EventhemisshapenspiderThithercrawl’dandsuck’dwithvigour。
  Toahappyendtheytasted,They,andothergentleinsects!
  ForwithmortalsnowdividetheyArt膖hatnoblestgiftofall。
  1789。*——
  THEWANDERER。
  [PublishedintheGottingenMusenAlmanach,havingbeenwrittentoexpresshisfeelingsandcapricesafterhisseparationfromFrederica。]
  WANDERER。
  YOUNGwoman,mayGodblessthee,Thee,andthesuckinginfantUponthybreast!
  Letme,’gainstthisrockywall,Neaththeelm-tree’sshadow,Layasidemyburden,Neartheetakemyrest。
  WOMAN。
  Whatvocationleadsthee,Whilethedayisburning,Upthisdustypath?
  Bring’stthougoodsfromoutthetownRoundthecountry?
  Smil’stthou,stranger,Atmyquestion?
  WANDERER。
  FromthetownnogoodsIbring。
  Coolisnowtheevening。
  Showtomethefountain’Whencethoudrinkest,Womanyoungandkind!
  WOMAN。
  Uptherockypathwaymount。
  Gothoufirst!AcrossthethicketLeadsthepathwaytow’rdthecottageThatIlivein,TothefountainWhenceIdrink。
  WANDERER。
  Signsofman’sarranginghandSeeI’midthetrees!
  Notbytheethesestoneswerejoin’d,Nature,whosofreelyscatterest!
  WOMAN。
  Up,stillup!
  WANDERER。
  Lo,amossyarchitraveishere!
  Idiscernthee,fashioningspirit!
  Onthestonethouhastimpress’dthyseal。
  WOMAN。
  Onward,stranger!
  WANDERER。
  OveraninscriptionamItreading!
  ’Tiseffaced!
  Yeareseennolonger,Wordssodeeplygraven,Whoyourmaster’struedevotionShouldhaveshowntothousandgrandsons!
  WOMAN。
  Atthesestones,whyStart’stthou,stranger?
  ManystonesarelyingyonderRoundmycottage。
  WANDERER。
  Yonder?
  WOMAN。
  Throughthethicket,Turningtotheleft,Here!
  WANDERER。
  YeMusesandyeGraces!
  WOMAN。
  This,then,ismycottage。
  WANDERER。
  ’Tisaruin’dtemple!*
  WOMAN。
  Justbelowit,see,SpringsthefountainWhenceIdrink。
  WANDERER。
  ThoudosthoverO’erthygrave,allglowing,Genius!whileupontheeHaththymaster-pieceFallencrumbling,ThouImmortalOne!
  WOMAN。
  Stay,acupI’llfetchtheeWhencetodrink。
  WANDERER。
  IvycirclesthyslenderFormsogracefulandgodlike。
  HowyeriseonhighFromtheruins,Column-pairAndthou,theirlonelysisteryonder,——
  Howthou,Duskymossuponthysacredhead,——
  LookestdowninmournfulmajestyOnthybrethren’sfiguresLyingscatter’dAtthyfeet!
  IntheshadowofthebrambleEarthandrubbishveilthem,Loftygrassiswavingo’erthemIsitthusthou,Nature,prizestThygreatmasterpiece’smasterpiece?
  CarelesslydestroyestthouThineownsanctuary,Sowingthistlesthere?
  WOMAN。
  Howtheinfantsleeps!
  Wiltthouresttheeinthecottage,Stranger?WouldstthouratherIntheopenairstilllinger?
  Now’tiscool!takethouthechildWhileIgoanddrawsomewater。
  Sleepon,darling!sleep!
  WANDERER。
  Sweetisthyrepose!
  How,withheaven-bornhealthimbued,Peacefullyheslumbers!
  Ohthou,bornamongtheruinsSpreadbygreatantiquity,Ontheerestherspirit!
  HewhomitencirclesWill,ingodlikeconsciousness,Ev’rydayenjoy。
  Full,ofgerm,unfold,Asthesmilingspringtime’sFairestcharm,Outshiningallthyfellows!
  Andwhentheblossom’shuskisfaded,MaythefullfruitshootforthFromoutthybreast,Andripeninthesunshine!
  WOMAN。
  Godblesshim!——Ishesleepingstill?
  TothefreshdraughtInoughtcanadd,Savingacrustofbreadfortheetoeat。
  WANDERER。
  Ithanktheewell。
  Howfairtheverdureallaround!
  Howgreen!
  WOMAN。
  MyhusbandsoonWillhomereturnFromlabour。Tarry,tarry,man,Andwithuseatoureveningmeal。
  WANDERER。
  Is’thereyedwell?
  WOMAN。
  Yonder,withinthosewallswelive。
  Myfather’twaswhobuiltthecottageOftilesandstonesfromouttheruins。
  ’Tisherewedwell。
  Hegavemetoahusbandman,Andinourarmsexpired——
  Hastthoubeensleeping,dearestheartHowlively,andhowfullofplay!
  Sweetrogue!
  WANDERER。
  Nature,thoueverbuddingone,Thouformesteachforlife’senjoyments,And,likeamother,allthychildrendear,Blessestwiththatsweetheritage,——ahomeTheswallowbuildsthecorniceround,UnconsciousofthebeautiesSheplastersup。
  Thecaterpillarspinsaroundthebough,Tomakeherbroodawinterhouse。
  Andthoudostpatch,betweenantiquity’sMostgloriousrelics,Forthymeanuse,Ohman,ahumblecot,——
  Enjoyeste’enmidtombs!——
  Farewell,thouhappywoman!
  WOMAN。
  Thouwiltnotstay,then?
  WANDERER。
  MayGodpreservethee,Andblessthyboy!
  WOMAN。
  Ahappyjourney!
  WANDERER。
  WhitherconductsthepathAcrossyonhill?
  WOMAN。
  ToCuma。
  WANDERER。
  Howfarfromhence?
  WOMAN。
  ’Tisfullthreemiles。
  WANDERER。
  Farewell!
  OhNature,guidemeonmyway!
  Thewanderingstrangerguide,Whoo’erthetombsOfholybygonetimesIspassing,Toakindshelteringplace,FromNorthwindssafe,AndwhereapoplargroveShutsoutthenoontideray!
  AndwhenIcomeHometomycotAtevening,Illuminedbythesettingsun,Letmeembraceawifelikethis,Herinfantinherarms!
  1772。
  *Comparewiththebeautifuldescriptioncontainedinthesubsequentlines,anaccountofaruinedtempleofCeres,givenbyChamberlayneinhisPharonnidapublishedin1659……WithmournfulmajesiyAheapofsolitaryruinslie,Halfsepulchredindust,thebankruptheirToprodigalantiquity——
  LOVEASALANDSCAPEPAINTER。
  ONarockypeakoncesatIearly,Gazingonthemistwitheyesunmoving。
  Stretch’doutlikeapallofgreyishtexture,Allthingsround,andallaboveitcover’d。
  Suddenlyaboyappear’dbesideme,SayingFriend,whatmeanestthoubygazingOnthevacantpallwithsuchcomposure?
  HastthoulostforevermoreallpleasureBothinpaintingcunningly,andforming?
  OnthechildIgazed,andthoughtinsecret:
  Wouldtheboypretendtobeamaster?
  Wouldstthoubeforeverdullandidle,
  Saidtheboy,nowisdomthou’ltattainto。
  See,I’llstraightwaypaintfortheeafigure,——
  Howtopaintabeauteousfigure,showthee。
  Andhethenextendedhisfore-finger,——
  Ruddywasitasayouthfulrosebud
  Tow’rdthebroadandfaroutstretchingcarpet,Andbegantodrawtherewithhisfinger。
  Firstonhigharadiantsunhepainted,Whichuponmineeyeswithsplendourglisten’d,Andhemadethecloudswithgoldenborder,Throughthecloudsheletthesunbeamsenter。
  PaintedthenthesoftandfeatherysummitsOfthefreshandquicken’dtrees,behindthemOnebyonewithfreedomdrewthemountains。
  Underneathheleftnolackofwater,ButtheriverpaintedsolikeNature,Thatitseem’dtoglitterinthesunbeams,Thatitseem’dagainstitsbankstomurmur。
  Ah,thereblossom’dflowersbesidetheriver,Andbrightcoloursgleam’duponthemeadow,Gold,andgreen,andpurple,andenamell’d,Alllikecarbunclesandemeraldsseeming!
  Brightandclearheaddedthentheheavens,Andtheblue-tingedmountainsfarandfarther,SothatI,asthoughnewborn,enrapturedGazedon,nowthepainter,nowthepicture。
  Thenspakehe:AlthoughIhaveconvincedtheeThatthisartIunderstandfullsurely,Yetthehardeststillislefttoshowthee。
  Thereuponhetraced,withpointedfinger,Andwithanxiouscare,upontheforest,Attheutmostverge,wherethestrongsunbeamsFromtheshininggroundappear’dreflected,Tracedthefigureofalovelymaiden,Fairinform,andcladingracefulfashion,Freshthecheeksbeneathherbrownlocks’ambush,Andthecheekspossess’dtheselfsamecolourAsthefingerthathadservedtopaintthem。
  Ohthouboy!exclaim’dIthen,whatmasterInhisschoolreceivedtheeashispupil,TeachingtheesotruthfullyandquicklyWiselytobegin,andwelltofinish?
  WhilstIstillwasspeaking,lo,azephyrSoftlyrose,andsetthetree-topsmoving,Curlingallthewaveletsontheriver,Andtheperfectmaiden’sveil,too,fill’dit,Andtomakemywondermentstillgreater,Soonthemaidensetherfootinmotion。
  Onshecame,approachingtow’rdthestationWherestillsatIwithmyarchinstructor。
  Asnowall,yes,allthusmovedtogether,——
  Flowers,river,trees,theveil,——allmoving,——
  Andthegentlefootofthatmostfairone,CanyethinkthatonmyrockIlinger’d,Likearock,asthoughfast-chain’dandsilent?
  1788——
  GOD,SOUL,ANDWORLD——
  RHYMEDDISTICHS。
  [TheDistichs,ofwhichthesearegivenasaspecimen,areaboutfortyinnumber。]
  WHOtrustsinGod,FearsnotHisrod——
  THIStruthmaybebyallbelieved:
  WhomGoddeceives,iswelldeceived——
  HOW?when?andwhere?——Noanswercomesfromhigh。
  Thouwait’stfortheBecause,andyetthouask’stnotWhy?——
  IFthewholeisevertogladdenthee,Thatwholeinthesmallestthingthoumustsee——
  WATERitslivingstrengthfirstshows,Whenobstaclesitscourseoppose——
  TRANSPARENTappearstheradiantair,Thoughsteelandstoneinitsbreastitmaybear。
  Atlengththey’llmeetwithfierypower,Andmetalandstonesontheearthwillshower——
  WHATE’ERalivingflamemaysurround,Nolongerisshapeless,orearthlybound。
  ’Tisnowinvisible,fliesfromearth,Andhastensonhightotheplaceofitsbirth。
  1815。*——
  PROCEMION。
  INHisblestname,whowasHisowncreation,Whofromalltimemakesmakinghisvocation。
  ThenameofHimwhomakesourfaithsobright,Love,confidence,activity,andmight。
  InthatOne’sname,who,namedthoughoftHebe,UnknowniseverinReality:
  Asfarasearcanreach,oreyesightdim,ThoufindestbuttheknownresemblingHim。
  Howhighso’erthyfieryspirithovers,ItssimileandtypeitstraightdiscoversOnwardthou’rtdrawn,withfeelingslightandgay,Where’erthougoest,smilingistheway。
  Nomorethounumbrest,reckonestnotime,Eachstepisinfinite,eachstepsublime。
  1816——
  WHATGodwouldoutwardlyalonecontrol,AndonhisfingerwhirlthemightyWhole?
  Helovestheinnerworldtomove,toviewNatureinHim,HimselfinNaturetoo,SothatwhatinHimworks,andis,andlives,ThemeasureofHisstrength,Hisspiritgives。
  1816——
  WITHINusallauniversedothdwell。
  Andhenceeachpeople’susagelaudable,Thatev’ryonetheBestthatmeetshiseyesAsGod,yeae’enhisGod,dothrecognise。
  ToHimbothearthandheavensurrendershe,FearsHim,andlovesHimtoo,ifthatmaybe。
  1816——
  THEMETAMORPHOSISOFPLANTS。
  THOUartconfused,mybeloved,at,seeingthethousandfoldunionShowninthisflowerytroop,overthegardendispers’d。
  anyanamedostthouhearassign’d。oneafteranotherFallsonthylist’ningear,withabarbariansound。
  Noneresemblethanother,yetalltheirformshavealikeness。
  Therefore,amysticallawisbythechorusproclaim’d。
  Yes,asacredenigma!Oh,dearestfriend,couldIonlyHappilyteachtheetheword,whichmaythemysterysolve!
  Closelyobservehowtheplant,bylittleandlittleprogressing,Stepbystepguidedon,changethtoblossomandfruit!
  Firstfromtheseeditunravelsitself,assoonasthesilentFruit-bearingwomboftheearthkindlyallowsItsescape,Andtothecharmsofthelight,theholy,theever-in-motion,Trusteththedelicateleaves,feeblybeginningtoshoot。
  Simplyslumber’dtheforceintheseed。agermofthefuture,Peacefullylock’dinitself,’neaththeintegumentlay,Leafandroot,andbud,stillvoidofcolour,andshapeless。
  Thusdoththekernel,whiledry,coverthatmotionlesslife。
  Upwardthenstrivesittoswell,ingentlemoistureconfiding,And,fromthenightwhereitdwelt,straightwayascendethtolight。
  Yetstillsimpleremainethitsfigure,whenfirstitappeareth。
  And’tisatokenlikethis,pointsoutthechild’midtheplants。
  Soonashoot,succeedingit,risethonhigh,andreneweth,Piling-upnodeuponnode,evertheprimitiveform。
  Yetnoteveralike:forthefollowingleaf,asthouseest,Everproducethitself,fashionedinmanifoldways。
  Longer,moreindented,inpointsandinpartsmoredivided,Which。all-deform’duntilnow,sleptintheorganbelow,Soatlengthitattaineththenobleanddestinedperfection,Which,infullmanyatribe,fillstheewithwonderingawe。
  Manyribb’dandtooth’d,onasurfacejuicyandswelling,Freeandunendingtheshootseemethinfullnesstobe。
  YethereNaturerestraineth,withpowerfulhands,theformation,Andtoaperfecterend,guidethwithsoftnessitsgrowth,Lessabundantlyyieldingthesap,contractingthevessels,Sothatthefigureerelonggentlereffectsdothdisclose。
  Soonandinsilenceischeck’dthegrowthofthevigorousbranches,Andtheribofthestalkfullerbecomethinform。
  Leafless,however,andquickthetendererstemthenup-springeth,Andamiraculoussightdoththeobserverenchant。
  Rangedinacircle,innumbersthatnowaresmall,andnowcountless,Gatherthesmaller-sizedleaves,closebythesideoftheirlike。
  Roundtheaxiscompress’dtheshelteringcalyxunfoldeth,And,astheperfectesttype,brilliant-huedcoronalsforms。
  ThusdothNaturebloom,inglorystillnoblerandfuller,Showing,inorderarranged,memberonmemberuprear’d。
  Wondermentfreshdostthoufeel,assoonasthestemrearstheflowerOverthescaffoldingfrailofthealternatingleaves。
  Butthisgloryisonlythenewcreation’sforeteller,Yes,theleafwithitshuesfeeleththehandalldivine,Andonasuddencontractethitself。thetenderestfiguresTwofoldasyet,hastenon,destinedtoblendintoone。
  Lovinglynowthebeauteouspairsarestandingtogether,Gather’dincountlessarray,therewherethealtarisraised。
  Hymenhoveretho’erthem,andscentsdeliciousandmightyStreamforththeirfragrancesosweet,allthingsenliv’ningaround。
  Presently,parcell’dout,unnumber’dgermsareseenswelling,Sweetlyconcealdinthewomb,whereismadeperfectthefruit。
  HeredothNatureclosetheringofherforceseternal。
  Yetdothanewone,atonce,clingtotheonegonebefore,Sothatthechainbeprolongedforeverthroughallgenerations,Andthatthewholemayhavelife,e’enasenjoy’dbyeachpart。
  Now,mybelovedone,turnthygazeonthemany-huedthousandsWhich,confusingnomore,gladdenthemindastheywave。
  Everyplantuntotheeproclaimeththelawseverlasting,Everyfloweredspeakslouderandloudertothee。
  Butifthouherecanstdecipherthemysticwordsofthegoddess,Everywherewilltheybeseen,e’enthoughthefeaturesarechanged。
  Creepinginsectsmaylinger,theeagerbutterflyhasten,——
  Plasticandforming,maymanchangee’enthefiguredecreed!
  Oh,then,bethinkthee,aswell,howoutofthegermofacquaintance,Kindlyintercoursesprang,slowlyunfoldingitsleaves。
  Soonhowfriendshipwithmightunveil’ditselfinourbosoms,AndhowAmor,atlength,broughtforthblossomandfruitThinkofthemanifoldwayswhereinNaturehathlenttoourfeelings,Silentlygivingthembirth,eitherthefirstorthelast!
  Yes,andrejoiceinthepresentday!ForlovethatisholySeekeththenoblestoffruits,——thatwherethethoughtsarethesame,Wheretheopinionsagree,——thatthepairmay,inraptcontemplation,Lovinglyblendintoone,——findthemoreexcellentworld。
  1797——
  PROVERBS——
  ’TISeasierfarawreathtobind,Thanagoodownerforttofind——
  IKILL’Dathousandfliesovernight,Yetwaswaken’dbyone,assoonastwaslight——
  TothemotherIgive。
  ForthedaughterIlive——
  ABREACHiseveryday,Bymanyamortalstorm’d。
  Letthemfallinthegapsastheymay,Yetaheapofdeadisne’erform’d——
  WHATharmhasthypoormirrordone,alas?
  Looknotsougly,prythee,intheglass!
  1815。*——
  TAMEXENIA。
  THEEpigramsbearingthetitleofXENIAwerewrittenbyGoetheandSchillertogether,havingbeenfirstoccasionedbysomeviolentattacksmadeonthembysomeinsignificantwriters。Theyareextremelynumerous,butscarcelyanyofthemcouldbetranslatedintoEnglish。Thoseheregivenaremerelypresentedasaspecimen。
  GODgavetomortalsbirth,Inhisownimagetoo。
  ThencameHimselftoearth,Amortalkindandtrue。
  1821。*——
  BARBARIANSoftendeavourGodsforthemselvestomakeButthey’remorehideouseverThandragonorthansnake。
  1821。*——
  WHATshallIteachthee,theveryfirstthing?——
  FainwouldIlearno’ermyshadowtospring!
  1827。*——
  WHATisscience,rightlyknown?
  ’Tisthestrengthoflifealone。
  Lifecanstthouengendernever,Lifemustbelife’sparentever。
  1827。*——
  Itmattersnot,Iween,Wherewormsourfriendsconsume,Beneaththeturfsogreen,Or’neathamarbletomb。
  Remember,yewholive,Thoughfrownsthefleetingday,ThattoyourfriendsyegiveWhatneverwilldecay。
  1827。*——
  RELIGIONANDCHURCH——
  THOUGHTSONJESUSCHRIST’SDESCENTINTOHELL。
  [THEremarkablePoemofwhichthisisaliteralbutfaintrepresentation,waswrittenwhenGoethewasonlysixteenyearsold。Itderivesadditionalinterestfromthefactofitsbeingtheveryearliestpieceofhisthatispreserved。ThefewotherpiecesincludedbyGoetheunderthetitleofReligionandChurcharepolemical,anddevoidofinteresttotheEnglishreader。]
  WHATwondrousnoiseisheardaround!
  Throughheavenexultingvoicessound,AmightyarmymarchesonBythousandmillionsfollow’d,lo,ToyondarkplacemakeshastetogoGod’sSon,descendingfromHisthrone!
  Hegoes——thetempestsroundHimbreak,AsJudgeandHerocomethHe。
  Hegoes——theconstellationsquake,Thesun,theworldquakefearfully。
  IseeHiminHisvictor-car,Onfieryaxlesborneafar,Whoonthecrossforusexpired。
  ThetriumphtoyonrealmsHeshows,——
  Remotefromearth,wherestarne’erglows,ThetriumphHeforusacquired。
  Hecometh,Helltoextirpate,WhomHe,bydying,wellnighkill’d。
  HeshallpronounceherfearfulfateHark!nowthecurseisstraightfulfill’d。
  Hellseesthevictorcomeatlast,Shefeelsthatnowherreignispast,ShequakesandfearstomeetHissight。
  SheknowsHisthunders’terrorsdread,Invainsheseekstohideherhead,Attemptstofly,butvainisflight。
  Vainlyshehastesto’scapepursuitAndtoavoidherJudge’seye。
  TheLord’sfiercewrathrestrainsherfootLikebrazenchains,——shecannotfly。
  HereliestheDragon,trampleddown,Helies,andfeelsGod’sangryfrown,Hefeels,andgrinnethhideously。
  HefeelsHell’sspeechlessagonies,Athousandtimeshehowlsandsighs:
  Oh,burningflames!quick,swallowme!
  Thereliesheinthefierywaves,Bytormentsrack’dandpangsinfernal,Instantannihilationcraves,Andhears,thosepangswillbeeternal。
  Thosemightysquadrons,too,arehere,Thepartnersofhiscursedcareer,Yetfarlessbadthanhewerethey。
  Hereliesthecountlessthrongcombined,Inblackandfearfulcrowdsentwined,Whileroundhimfierytempestsplay。
  HeseeshowtheytheJudgeavoid,Heseesthestormuponthemfeed,Yetisnotatthesighto’erjoy’d,Becausehispangse’entheirsexceed。
  TheSonofManintriumphpassesDowntoHell’swildandblackmorasses,AndthereunfoldsHismajesty。
  Hellcannotbearthebrightarray,For,sinceherfirstcreatedday。
  Darknessalonee’ergovern’dshe。
  Shelayremotefromev’rylightWithtormentsfill’dinChaoshere。
  Godturn’dforeverfromhersightHisradiantfeatures’gloryclear。
  Withintherealmsshecallsherown,SheseesthesplendouroftheSon,Hisdreadedgloriesshiningforth。
  SheseesHimcladinrollingthunder,Sheseestherocksallquakewithwonder,WhenGodbeforeherstandsinwrath。
  SheseesHecomesherJudgetobe,Shefeelstheawfulpangsinsideher,Herselftoslayendeavoursshe,Bute’enthiscomfortisdeniedher。
  Nowlookssheback,withpainsuntold,Uponthosehappytimesofold,Whenthosegloriesgaveherjoy。
  Whenyetherheartreveredthetruth,Whenhergladsoul,inendlessyouthAndrapturedwelt,withoutalloy。
  Shecallstomindwithmadden’dthoughtHowovermanherwilesprevail’d。
  TotakerevengeonGodshesought,Andfeelsthevengeanceitentail’d。
  Godwasmademan,andcametoearth。
  ThenSatancriedwithfearfulmirth:
  E’enHemyvictimnowshallbe!
  HesoughttoslaytheLordMostHigh,Theworld’sCreatornowmustdie。
  But,Satan,endlesswoetothee!
  Thouthought’sttoovercomeHimthen,RejoicinginHissuffering。
  ButheintriumphcomesagainTobindthee:Death!whereisthysting?
  Speak,Hell!whereisthyvictory?
  Thypowerdestroy’dandscatter’dsee!
  Know’stthounotnowtheHighest’smight?
  See,Satan,seethyruleo’erthrown!
  Bythousand-varyingpangsweigh’ddown,Thoudwell’stindarkandendlessnight。
  Asthoughbylightningstruckthouliest,Nogleamofrapturefarorwide。
  Invain!nohopethoutheredecriest,——
  FormealoneMessiahdied!
  Ahowlingrisesthroughtheair,Atremblingfillseachdarkvaultthere,WhenChristtoHellisseentocome。
  Shesnarlswithrage,butneedsmustcowerBeforeourmightyhero’spower。
  Hesigns——andHellisstraightwaydumb。
  Beforehisvoicethethundersbreak,OnhighHisvictor-bannerblows。
  E’enangelsatHisfuryquake,WhenChristtothedreadjudgmentgoes。
  NowspeaksHe,andHisvoiceisthunder,Hespeaks,therocksarerentinsunder,Hisbreathislikedevouringflames。
  ThusspeaksHe:Tremble,yeaccurs’d!
  HewhofromEdenhurl’dyouerst,Yourkingdom’soverthrowproclaims。
  Lookup!Mychildrenoncewereye,YourarmsagainstMethenyeturn’d,Yefell,thatyemightsinnersbe,Ye’venowthewagesthatyeearn’d。
  Mygreatestfoemanfromthatday,Yeledmydearestfriendsastray,——
  Asyehadfallen,manmustfall。
  Tokillhimevermoreyesought,’Theyallshalldiethedeath,’yethought。
  Buthowl!forMeIwonthemall。
  ForthemalonedidIdescend,Forthempray’d,suffer’d,perish’dI。
  Yene’ershallgainyourwickedend。
  WhotrustsinMeshallneverdie。
  Inendlesschainsherelieyenow,Nothingcansaveyoufromtheslough。
  Notboldness,notregretforcrime。
  Lie,then,andwritheinbrimstonefire!
  ’TwasyeyourselvesdrewdownMineire,Lieandlamentthroughoutalltime!
  Andalsoye,whomIselected,E’enyeforeverIdisown,ForyeMysavinggracerejectedYemurmur?blameyourselvesalone!
  YemighthavelivedwithMeinbliss,ForIofyorehadpromis’dthis。
  Yesinn’d,andallMypreceptsslightedWrapp’dinthesleepofsinyedwelt,NowisMyfearfuljudgmentfelt,Byajustdoomyourguiltrequited——
  ThusspakeHe,andafearfulstormFromHimproceeds,thelightningsglow,Thethundersseizeeachwickedform,Andhurltheminthegulfbelow。
  TheGod-manclosethHell’ssaddoors,InallHismajestyHesoarsFromthosedarkregionsbacktolight。
  HesittethattheFather’sside。
  Oh,friends,whatjoydoththisbetide!
  Forus,forusHestillwillfight!
  TheangelssacredquirearoundRejoicebeforethemightyLord,Sothatallcreatureshearthesound:
  Zebaoth’sGodbeayeador’d!
  1765——
  ANTIQUES——
  LEOPOLD,DUKEOFBRUNSWICK。
  [Writtenontheoccasionofthedeath,bydrowning,ofthePrince。]
  THOUwertforciblyseizedbythehoarylordoftheriver,——
  Holdingthee,everheshareswiththeehisstreamingdomain,Calmlysleepestthounearhisurnasitsilentlytrickles,Tillthoutoactionartroused,wakedbytheswift-rollingflood。
  Kindlybetothepeople,aswhenthoustillwertamortal,Perfectingthatasagod,whichthoudidstfailin,asman。
  1785——
  TOTHEHUSBANDMAN。
  SMOOTHLYandlightlythegoldenseedbythefurrowiscover’d。
  Yetwilladeeperone,friend,coverthybonesatthelast。
  Joyouslyplough’dandsow’d!Herefoodalllivingisbudding,E’enfromthesideofthetombHopewillnotvanishaway。
  1789。*——
  ANACREON’SGRAVE。
  HEREwheretherosesblossom,wherevinesroundthelaurelsaretwining,Wheretheturtle-dovecalls,wheretheblithecricketisheard,Say,whosegravecanthisbe,withlifebyalltheImmortalsBeauteouslyplantedanddeck’d?——HeredothAnacreonsleepSpringandsummerandautumnrejoicedthethrice-happyminstrel,Andfromthewinterthismoundkindlyhathscreen’dhimatlast。
  1789。*——
  THEBRETHREN。
  SLUMBERandSleep,twobrethrenordain’dbythegodstotheirservice,WerebyPrometheusimplored,comforttogivetohisrace。
  Butthoughsolighttothegods,tooheavyformanwastheirburden,Weintheirslumberfindsleep,weintheirsleepmeetwithdeath。
  1789。*——
  MEASUREOFTIME。
  EROS,whatmean’stthoubythis?Ineachofthinehandsisanhourglass!
  What,ohthoufrivolousgod!twofoldthymeasureoftime?
  Slowlyrunfromtheone,thehoursofloverswhenparted。
  Whilethroughtheothertheyrushswiftly,assoonastheymeet。
  1789。*——
  WARNING。
  WAKENnotAmorfromsleep!Thebeauteousurchinstillslumbers。
  Go,andcompletethouthetask,thattothedayisassign’d!
  Thusdoththeprudentmotherwithcareturntimetoherprofit,Whileherbabeisasleep,for’twillawakebuttoosoon。
  1785。*——
  SOLITUDE。
  OHyekindlynymphs,whodwell’mongsttherocksandthethickets,Grantuntoeachwhatsoe’erhemayinsilencedesire!
  Comfortimparttothemourner,andgivetothedoubterinstruction,Andlettheloverrejoice,findingtheblissthathecraves。
  Forfromthegodsyereceivedwhattheyeverdenieduntomortals,Powertocomfortandaidallwhoinyoumayconfide。
  1782——
  THECHOSENCLIFF。
  HEREinsilencetheloverfondlymusedonhislovedone。
  Gladlyhespaketomethus:Bethoumywitness,thoustone!
  Yetthoumustnotbevainglorious,thouhastmanycompanions。
  Untoeachrockontheplain,whereI,thehappyone,dwell,UntoeachtreeofthewoodthatIclingto,asonwardIramble,’Bethouasignofmybliss!’shoutI,andthen’tisordain’d。
  YettotheeonlyIlendavoice,asaMusefromthepeopleChoosethoneforherself,kissinghislipsasafriend。
  1782——
  THECONSECRATEDSPOT。
  WHENinthedanceoftheNymphs,inthemoonlightsoholyassembled,MingletheGraces,downfromOlympusinsecretdescending,Heredoththeminstrelhide,andlisttotheirnumbersenthralling,Heredothhewatchtheirsilentdances’mysteriousmeasure。
  AllthatisgloriousinHeaven,andallthattheearthinherbeautyEverhathbroughtintolife,thedreamerawakeseesbeforehim。
  AllherepeatstotheMuses,andlestthegodsshouldbeanger’d,Howtotellofsecretsdiscreetly,theMusesinstructhim。
  1789。*——
  THEINSTRUCTORS。
  WHENDiogenesquietlysunn’dhimselfinhisbarrel,WhenCalanuswithjoyleaptintheflame-breathinggrave,Oh,whatnoblelessonswerethosefortherashsonofPhilip,Werenotthelordoftheworlde’enforinstructiontoogreat!
  1789。*——
  THEUNEQUALMARRIAGE,EVENthisheavenlypairwereunequallymatch’dwhenunited:
  Psychegrewolderandwise,Amorremain’dstillachild,1789。*——
  EXCUSE。
  THOUdostcomplainofwomanforchangingfromonetoanother?
  Censurehernot:forsheseeksonewhowillconstantremain。
  1789。*——
  SAKONTALA。
  WOULDSTthoutheblossomsofspring,aswellasthefruitsoftheautumn,Wouldstthouwhatcharmsanddelights,wouldstthouwhatplenteously,feeds,WouldthouincludebothHeavenandearthinonedesignation,Allthatisneededisdone,whenISakontalaname。
  1792——
  THEMUSE’SMIRROR。
  EARLYoneday,theMuse,wheneagerlybentonadornment,Follow’daswift-runningstreamlet,thequietestnookbyitseeking。
  Quicklyandnoisilyflowing,thechangefulsurfacedistortedEverhermovingform。thegoddessdepartedinanger。
  Yetthestreamcall’dmockinglyafterher,saying:What,truly!
  Wiltthounotview,then,thetruth,inmymirrorsoclearlydepicted?
  Butshealreadywasfaraway,onthebrinkoftheocean,Inherfigurerejoicing,anddulyarranginghergarland。
  1799。*——
  PHOEBUSANDHERMES。
  DELOS’statelyruler,andMaia’sson,theadroitone,Warmlywerestriving,forbothsoughtthegreatprizetoobtain。
  Hermesthelyredemanded,thelyrewasclaim’dbyApollo,Yetweretheheartsofthefoesfruitlesslynourish’dbyhope。
  ForonasuddenAresburstin,withfurydecisive,Dashingintwainthegoldtoy,brandishingwildlyhissword。
  Hermes,maliciousone,laughedbeyondmeasure。yetdeep-seatedsorrowSeizeduponPhoebus’sheart,seizedontheheartofeachMuse。
  1799。*——
  THENEWAMOR。
  AMOR,notthechild,theyouthfulloverofPsyche,Look’droundOlympusoneday,boldly,totriumphinured。
  Thereheespiedagoddess,thefairestamongsttheimmortals,——
  VenusUraniashe,——straightwashispassioninflamed。
  Eventheholyonepowerlessproved,alas!’gainsthiswooing,——
  Tightlyembracedinhisarm,heldherthedaringonefast。
  Thenfromtheirunionaroseanew,amorebeauteousAmor,Whofromhisfatherhiswit,gracefromhismotherderives。
  Everthou’ltfindhimjoin’dinthekindlyMuses’communion,Andhischarm-ladenboltfoundeththeloveofthearts。
  1792——
  THEGARLANDS。
  KLOPSTOCKwouldleadusawayfromPindus。nolongerforlaurelMaywebeeager——thehomelyacornalonemustcontentus。
  Yethehimselfhismore-than-epiccrusadeisconductingHighonGolgotha’ssummit,thatforeigngodshemayhonour!
  Yet,onwhathillheprefers,lethimgathertheangelstogether,Sufferdeserteddisciplestoweepo’erthegraveofthejustone:
  Therewhereaheroandsainthathdied,whereabardbreath’dhisnumbers,BothforourlifeandourdeathanensampleofcourageresplendentAndoftheloftiesthumanworthtobequeath,——ev’rynationTherewilljoyouslykneelindevotionecstatic,reveringThornandlaurelgarland,andallitscharmsanditstortures。
  1815。*——
  THESWISSALPS。
  YESTERDAYbrownwasstillthyhead,asthelocksofmylovedone,Whosesweetimagesodearsilentlybeckonsafar。
  Silver-greyistheearlysnowto-dayonthysummit,Throughthetempestuousnightstreamingfastoverthybrow。
  Youth,alas,throughoutlifeascloselytoageisunitedAs,insomechangeabledream,yesterdayblendswithto-day。
  Uri,October7th,1797——
  DISTICHS。
  CHORDSaretouch’dbyApollo,——thedeath-ladenbow,too,hebendeth。
  Whilehetheshepherdesscharms,Pythonhelaysinthedust——
  WHATismercifulcensure?Tomakethyfaultsappearsmaller?
  Maybetoveilthem?No,no!O’erthemtoraisetheeonhigh!——
  DEMOCRATICfoodsooncloysonthemultitude’sstomach。
  ButI’llwager,erelong,otherthou’ltgivetheminstead——
  WHATinFrancehaspass’dby,theGermanscontinuetopractise,Fortheproudestofmenflattersthepeopleandfawns——
  WHOisthehappiestofmen?Hewhovaluesthemeritsofothers,Andintheirpleasuretakesjoy,evenasthough’twerehisown——
  NOTinthemorningalone,notonlyatmid-dayhecharmeth。
  Evenatsetting,thesunisstillthesamegloriousplanet——
  VENETIANEPIGRAMS。
  Writtenin1790。——
  URNandsarcophaguserstwerewithlifeadorn’dbytheheathenFaunsaredancingaround,whilewiththeBacchanaltroopChequerdcirclestheytrace。andthegoat-footed,puffy-cheekdplayerWildlyproducethhoarsetonesoutoftheclamoroushorn。
  Cymbalsanddrumsresound。weseeandwehear,too,themarble。
  Flutteringbird!ohhowsweettastestheripefruittothybill!
  Noisethereisnonetodisturbthee,stilllesstoscareawayAmor,Who,inthemidstofthethrong,learnstodelightinhistorch。
  Thusdothfullnessovercomedeath。andtheashestherecover’dSeem,inthatsilentdomain,stilltobegladdendwithlife。
  Thusmaytheminstrel’ssarcophagusbehereaftersurroundedWithsuchascroll,whichhimselfrichlywithlifehasadorn’d——
  CLASP’DinmyarmsforevereagerlyholdImymistress,Evermypantingheartthrobswildlyagainstherdearbreast,Andonherkneesforeverisleaningmyhead,whileI’mgazingNowonhersweet-smilingmouth,nowonherbrightsparklingeyes。
  Ohthoueffeminate!spakeone,andthus,then,thydaysthouartspending?
  Ah,theyinsorrowarespent。ListwhileItelltheemytale:
  Yes!Ihaveleftmyonlyjoyinlifefarbehindme,Twentylongdayshathmycarbornemeawayfromhersight。
  Vettrinidefyme,whilecraftychamberlainsflatter,AndtheslyValetdeplacethinksbutofliesanddeceit。
  IfIattempttoescape,thePostmasterfastensuponme,Postboystheupperhandget,custom-housedutiesenrage。
  Truly,Ican’tunderstandthee!thoutalkestenigmas!thouseemestWrapp’dinablissfulrepose,gladasRinaldoofyore:
  Ah,Imyselfunderstandfullwell。’tismybodythattravels,And’tismyspiritthatrestsstillinmymistress’sarms——
  IWOULDlikenthisgondolauntothesoft-rockingcradle,Andthechestonitsdeckseemsavastcoffintobe。
  Yes!’tweenthecradleandcoffin,wetotterandwaverforeverOnthemightycanal,carelessourlifetimeisspent——
  WHYarethepeoplethusbusilymoving?Forfoodtheyareseeking,Childrentheyfainwouldbeget,feedingthemwellastheycan。
  Traveller,markthiswell,andwhenthouarthome,dothoulikewise!
  Morecannomortaleffect,workwithwhatardourhewill——
  IWOULDcomparetothelandthisanvil,itslordtothehammer,Andtothepeopletheplate,whichinthemiddleisbent。
  Sadisthepoortin-plate’slot,whentheblowsarebutgivenatrandom:
  Ne’erwillthekettlebemade,whiletheyuncertainlyfall——
  WHATisthelifeofaman?Yetthousandsareeveraccustom’dFreelytotalkaboutman,——whathehasdone,too,andhow。
  Evenlessisapoem。yetthousandsreadandenjoyit,Thousandsabuseit——Myfriend,liveandcontinuetorhyme!——
  MERRY’Sthetradeofapoet。butsomewhatadearone,IfearmeFor,asmybookgrowsapace,allofmysequinsIlose——
  Is’thou’rtinearnest,nolongerdelay,butrendermehappy。
  Artthouinjest?Ah,sweetlove!timeforalljestingispast——
  ARTthou,then,vex’datmysilence?WhatshallIspeakof?ThoumarkestNeithermysorrowfulsigh,normysofteloquentlook。
  Onlyonegoddessisablethesealofmylipstounloosen,——
  WhenbyAuroraI’mfound,slumberingcalmonthybreast。
  Ah,thenmyhymnintheearsoftheearliestgodsshallbechaunted,AstheMemnonianformbreath’dforthsweetsecretsinsong——
  INthetwilightofmorningtoclimbtothetopofthemountain,——
  Theetosalute,kindlystar,earliestheraldofday,——
  Andtoawait,withimpatience,thegazeoftherulerofheaven,——
  Youthfuldelight,ohoftlur’stthoumeoutinthenight!
  Ohyeheraldsofday,yeheavenlyeyesofmymistress,Nowyeappear,andthesunevermorerisethtoosoon——
  THOUartamazed,anddostpointtotheocean。Itseemstobeburning,Flame-crestedbillowsinplaydartroundournight-movingbark。
  Meitastonishethnot,——oftheoceanwasbornAphrodite,——
  Didnotaflame,too,proceedfromherforus,inherson?——
  GLEAMINGtheoceanappear’d,thebeauteousbillowsweresmiling,Whileafresh,favouringwind,fillingthesails,droveuson。
  Freewasmybosomfromyearning。yetsoonmylanguishingglancesTurn’dthemselvesbackwardinhaste,seekingthesnow-cover’dhills。
  Treasuresunnumber’daresouthwardslying。YetonetothenorthwardsDrawsmeresistlesslyback,likethestrongmagnetinforce——
  SPACIOUSandfairistheworld。yetoh!howIthankthekindheavensThatIagardenpossess,smallthoughitbe,yetmineown。
  Onewhichenticethmehomewards。whyshouldagardenerwander?
  Honourandpleasurehefinds,whentohisgardenhelooks——
  AH,mymaidenisgoing!shemountsthevessel!Mymonarch,AEolus!potentatedread!keepev’rystormfaraway!
  Oh,thoufool!criedthegod:ne’erfeartheblusteringtempest。
  WhenLovefluttershiswings,thenmaystthoudreadthesoftbreeze——
  ELEGIES——
  PARTI。
  ROMANELEGIES。
  [TheRomanElegieswerewritteninthesameyearastheVenetianEpigrams——viz。1790。]
  SPEAK,yestones,Ientreat!Ohspeak,yepalaceslofty!
  Utteraword,ohyestreets!Wiltthounot,Genius,awake?
  Allthatthysacredwalls,eternalRome,holdwithinthemTeemethwithlife。buttome,allisstillsilentanddead。
  Oh,whowillwhisperuntome,——whenshallIseeatthecasementThatonebeauteousform,which,whileitscorcheth,revives?
  CanIasyetnotdiscerntheroad,onwhichIforeverToherandfromhershallgo,heedingnottimeasitflies?
  StilldoImarkthechurches,palaces,ruins,andcolumns,Asawisetravellershould,wouldhehisjourneyimprove。
  Soonallthiswillbepast。andthenwilltherebebutonetemple,Amor’stemplealone,wheretheInitiatemaygo。
  Thouartindeedaworld,ohRome。andyet,wereLoveabsent,Thenwouldtheworldbenoworld,thenwoulde’enRomebenoRome——
  Donotrepent,mineownlove,thatthousosoondidstsurrenderTrustme,Ideemtheenotbold!reverenceonlyIfeel。
  ManifoldworkingsthedartsofAmorpossess。somebutscratching,Yetwithinsidiouseffect,poisonthebosomforyears。
  Othersmightilyfeather’d,withfreshandnewly-bornsharpnessPiercetotheinnermostbone,kindlethebloodintoflame。
  Intheheroicaltimes,whenlovedeachgodandeachgoddess,Longingattendedonsight。thenwithfruitionwasbless’d。
  Think’stthouthegoddesshadlongbeenthinkingofloveanditspleasuresWhenshe,inIda’sretreats,own’dtoAnchisesherflame?
  HadbutLunadelaydtokissthebeautifulsleeper,Oh,byAurora,erelong,hehadinenvybeenrous’d!
  HeroLeanderespiedatthenoisyfeast,andtheloverHotlyandnimbly,erelong,plungedinthenight-cover’dflood。
  RheaSilvia,virginprincess,roam’dneartheTiber,Seekingtherewatertodraw,whenbythegodshewasseiz’d。
  ThuswerethesonsofMarsbegotten!Thetwinsdidashe-wolfSuckleandnurture,——andRomecall’dherselfqueenoftheworld,——
  ALEXANDER,andCaesar,andHenry,andFred’rick,themighty,Onmewouldgladlybestowhalfoftheglorytheyearn’d,CouldIbutgrantuntoeachonenightonthecouchwhereI’mlying。
  Butthey,byOrcus’snight,sternly,alas!arehelddown。
  Thereforerejoice,ohthoulivingone,blestinthylove-lightedhomestead,ErethedarkLethe’ssadwavewetteththyfugitivefoot——
  THESEfewleaves,ohyeGraces,abardpresents,inyourhonour,Onyouraltarsopure,addingsweetrosebudsaswell,Andhedoesitwithhope。Theartistisgladinhisworkshop,WhenaPantheonitseemsroundhimforevertobring。
  Jupiterknitshisgodlikebrow,——her’s,Junoup-lifteth。
  Phoebusstridesonbefore,shakinghiscurly-lock’dheadCalmlyanddrilyMinervalooksdown,andHermesthelightone,Turnethhisglancesaside,roguishandtenderatonce。
  Buttow’rdsBacchus,theyielding,thedreaming,raisethCythereLooksbothlongingandsweet,e’eninthemarbleyetmoist。
  Ofhisembracesshethinkswithdelight,andseemstobeaskingShouldnotourglorioussontakeuphisplacebyourside?