SONGS.

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Late resounds the early strain;

Weal and woe in song remain.

——-

SOUND, SWEET SONG.

SOUND, sweet song, from some far land,

Sighing softly close at hand,

Now of joy, and now of woe!

Stars are wont to glimmer so.

Sooner thus will good unfold;

Children young and children old

Gladly hear thy numbers flow.

1820.* ——-

* In the cases in which the date is marked thus (*), it signifies the original date of publication—the year of composition not being known. In other cases, the date given is that of the actual composition. All the poems are arranged in the order of the recognised German editions. ——- TO THE KIND READER.

No one talks more than a Poet;

Fain he’d have the people know it.

Praise or blame he ever loves;

None in prose confess an error,

Yet we do so, void of terror,

In the Muses’ silent groves.

What I err’d in, what corrected,

What I suffer’d, what effected,

To this wreath as flow’rs belong;

For the aged, and the youthful,

And the vicious, and the truthful,

All are fair when viewed in song.

1800.* ——- THE NEW AMADIS.

IN my boyhood’s days so drear

I was kept confined;

There I sat for many a year,

All alone I pined,

As within the womb.

Yet thou drov’st away my gloom,

Golden phantasy!

I became a hero true,

Like the Prince Pipi,

And the world roam’d through,

Many a crystal palace built,

Crush’d them with like art,

And the Dragon’s life-blood spilt

With my glitt’ring dart.

Yes! I was a man!

Next I formed the knightly plan

Princess Fish to free;

She was much too complaisant,

Kindly welcomed me,—

And I was gallant.

Heav’nly bread her kisses proved,

Glowing as the wine;

Almost unto death I loved.

Sun-s appeared to shine

In her dazzling charms.

Who hath torn her from mine arms?

Could no magic band

Make her in her flight delay?

Say, where now her land?

Where, alas, the way?

1775.* ——- WHEN THE FOX DIES, HIS SKIN COUNTS.*

(* The name of a game, known in English as “Jack’s alight.")

WE young people in the shade

Sat one sultry day;

Cupid came, and “Dies the Fox”

With us sought to play.

Each one of my friends then sat

By his mistress dear;

Cupid, blowing out the torch,

Said: “The taper’s here!”

Then we quickly sent around

The expiring brand;

Each one put it hastily

ln his neighbour’s hand.

Dorilis then gave it me,

With a scoffing jest;

Sudden into flame it broke,

By my fingers press’d.

And it singed my eyes and face,

Set my breast on fire;

Then above my head the blaze

Mounted ever higher.

Vain I sought to put it out;

Ever burned the flame;

Stead of dying, soon the Fox

Livelier still became.

1770. ——- THE HEATHROSE.

ONCE a boy a Rosebud spied,

Heathrose fair and tender,

All array’d in youthful pride,—

Quickly to the spot he hied,

Ravished by her splendour.

Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red,

Heathrose fair and tender!

Said the boy, “I’ll now pick thee,

Heathrose fair and tender!”

Said the rosebud, “I’ll prick thee,

So that thou’lt remember me,

Ne’er will I surrender!”

Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red,

Heathrose fair and tender!

Now the cruel boy must pick

Heathrose fair and tender;

Rosebud did her best to prick,—

Vain ‘twas ‘gainst her fate to kick—

She must needs surrender.

Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red,

Heathrose fair and tender!

1779.* ——- BLINDMAN’S BUFF.

OH, my Theresa dear!

Thine eyes, I greatly fear,

Can through the bandage see!

Although thine eyes are bound,

By thee I’m quickly found,

And wherefore shouldst thou catch but me?

Ere long thou held’st me fast,

With arms around me cast,

Upon thy breast I fell;

Scarce was thy bandage gone,

When all my joy was flown,

Thou coldly didst the blind repel.

He groped on ev’ry side,

His limbs he sorely tried,

While scoffs arose all round;

If thou no love wilt give,

In sadness I shall live,

As if mine eyes remain’d still bound.

1770. ——- CHRISTEL.

My senses ofttimes are oppress’d,

Oft stagnant is my blood;

But when by Christel’s sight I’m blest,

I feel my strength renew’d.

I see her here, I see her there,

And really cannot tell

The manner how, the when, the where,

The why I love her well.

If with the merest glance I view

Her black and roguish eyes,

And gaze on her black eyebrows too,

My spirit upward flies.

Has any one a mouth so sweet,

Such love-round cheeks as she?

Ah, when the eye her beauties meet,

It ne’er content can be.

And when in airy German dance

I clasp her form divine,

So quick we whirl, so quick advance,

What rapture then like mine!

And when she’s giddy, and feels warm,

I cradle her, poor thing,

Upon my breast, and in mine arm,—

I’m then a very king!

And when she looks with love on me,

Forgetting all but this,

When press’d against my bosom, she

Exchanges kiss for kiss,

All through my marrow runs a thrill,

Runs e’en my foot along!

I feel so well, I feel so ill,

I feel so weak, so strong!

Would that such moments ne’er would end!

The day ne’er long I find;

Could I the night too with her spend,

E’en that I should not mind.

If she were in mine arms but held,

To quench love’s thirst I’d try;

And could my torments not be quell’d,

Upon her breast would die.

1776.* ——— THE COY ONE.

ONE Spring-morning bright and fair,

Roam’d a shepherdess and sang;

Young and beauteous, free from care,

Through the fields her clear notes rang:

So, Ia, Ia! le ralla, &c.

Of his lambs some two or three

Thyrsis offer’d for a kiss;

First she eyed him roguishly,

Then for answer sang but this:

So, Ia, Ia! le ralla, &c.

Ribbons did the next one offer,

And the third, his heart so true

But, as with the lambs, the scoffer

Laugh’d at heart and ribbons too,—

Still ‘twas Ia! le ralla, &c.

1791. ——- THE CONVERT.

As at sunset I was straying

Silently the wood along,

Damon on his flute was playing,

And the rocks gave back the song,

So la, Ia! &c.

Softly tow’rds him then he drew me;

Sweet each kiss he gave me then!

And I said, “Play once more to me!”

And he kindly play’d again,

So la, la! &c.

All my peace for aye has fleeted,

All my happiness has flown;

Yet my ears are ever greeted

With that olden, blissful tone,

So la, la! &c.

1791. ——- PRESERVATION.

My maiden she proved false to me;

To hate all joys I soon began,

Then to a flowing stream I ran,—

The stream ran past me hastily.

There stood I fix’d, in mute despair;

My head swam round as in a dream;

I well-nigh fell into the stream,

And earth seem’d with me whirling there.

Sudden I heard a voice that cried—

I had just turn’d my face from thence—

It was a voice to charm each sense:

“Beware, for deep is yonder tide!”

A thrill my blood pervaded now,

I look’d and saw a beauteous maid

I asked her name—twas Kate, she said—

“Oh lovely Kate! how kind art thou!

“From death I have been sav’d by thee,

‘Tis through thee only that I live;

Little ‘twere life alone to give,

My joy in life then deign to be!”

And then I told my sorrows o’er,

Her eyes to earth she sweetly threw;

I kiss’d her, and she kiss’d me too,

And—then I talked of death no more.

1775.* ——- THE MUSES’ SON.

[Goethe quotes the beginning of this song in his Autobiography, as expressing the manner in which his poetical effusions used to pour out from him.]

THROUGH field and wood to stray,

And pipe my tuneful lay,—

‘Tis thus my days are pass’d;

And all keep tune with me,

And move in harmony,

And so on, to the last.

To wait I scarce have power

The garden’s earliest flower,

The tree’s first bloom in Spring;

They hail my joyous strain,—

When Winter comes again,

Of that sweet dream I sing.

My song sounds far and near,

O’er ice it echoes clear,

Then Winter blossoms bright;

And when his blossoms fly,

Fresh raptures meet mine eye,

Upon the well-till’d height.

When ‘neath the linden tree,

Young folks I chance to see,

I set them moving soon;

His nose the dull lad curls,

The formal maiden whirls,

Obedient to my tune.

Wings to the feet ye lend,

O’er hill and vale ye send

The lover far from home;

When shall I, on your breast,.

Ye kindly muses, rest,

And cease at length to roam?

1800.* ——— FOUND.

ONCE through the forest

Alone I went;

To seek for nothing

My thoughts were bent.

I saw i’ the shadow

A flower stand there

As stars it glisten’d,

As eyes ‘twas fair.

I sought to pluck it,—

It gently said:

“Shall I be gather’d

Only to fade?”

With all its roots

I dug it with care,

And took it home

To my garden fair.

In silent corner

Soon it was set;

There grows it ever,

There blooms it yet.

1815.* ——- LIKE AND LIKE.

A FAIR bell-flower

Sprang tip from the ground;

And early its fragrance

It shed all around;

A bee came thither

And sipp’d from its bell;

That they for each other

Were made, we see well.

1814. ——- RECIPROCAL INVITATION TO THE DANCE.

THE INDIFFERENT.

COME to the dance with me, come with me, fair one!

Dances a feast-day like this may well crown.

If thou my sweetheart art not, thou canst be so,

But if thou wilt not, we still will dance on.

Come to the dance with me, come with me, fair one!

Dances a feast-day like this may well crown.

THE TENDER.

Loved one, without thee, what then would all feast be?

Sweet one, without thee, what then were the dance?

If thou my sweetheart wert not, I would dance not.

If thou art still so, all life is one feast.

Loved one, without thee, what then would all feasts be?

Sweet one, without thee, what then were the dance?

THE INDIFFERENT.

Let them but love, then, and leave us the dancing!

Languishing love cannot bear the glad dance.

Let us whirl round in the waltz’s gay measure,

And let them steal to the dim-lighted wood.

Let them but love, then, and leave us the dancing!

Languishing love cannot bear the glad dance.

THE TENDER.

Let them whirl round, then, and leave us to wander!

Wand’ring to love is a heavenly dance.

Cupid, the near one, o’erhears their deriding,

Vengeance takes suddenly, vengeance takes soon.

Let them whirl round, then, and leave us to wander!

Wand’ring to love is a heavenly dance.

1789.* ——- SELF-DECEIT.

My neighbour’s curtain, well I see,

Is moving to and fin.

No doubt she’s list’ning eagerly,

If I’m at home or no.

And if the jealous grudge I bore

And openly confess’d,

Is nourish’d by me as before,

Within my inmost breast.

Alas! no fancies such as these

E’er cross’d the dear child’s thoughts.

I see ‘tis but the ev’ning breeze

That with the curtain sports.

1803. ——- DECLARATION OF WAR.

OH, would I resembled

The country girls fair,

Who rosy-red ribbons

And yellow hats wear!

To believe I was pretty

I thought was allow’d;

In the town I believed it

When by the youth vow’d.

Now that Spring hath return’d,

All my joys disappear;

The girls of the country

Have lured him from here.

To change dress and figure,

Was needful I found,

My bodice is longer,

My petticoat round.

My hat now is yellow.

My bodice like snow;

The clover to sickle

With others I go.

Something pretty, e’er long

Midst the troop he explores;

The eager boy signs me

To go within doors.

I bashfully go,—

Who I am, he can’t trace;

He pinches my cheeks,

And he looks in my face.

The town girl now threatens

You maidens with war;

Her twofold charms pledges .

Of victory are.

1803. ——- LOVER IN ALL SHAPES.

To be like a fish,

Brisk and quick, is my wish;

If thou cam’st with thy line.

Thou wouldst soon make me thine.

To be like a fish,

Brisk and quick, is my wish.

Oh, were I a steed!

Thou wouldst love me indeed.

Oh, were I a car

Fit to bear thee afar!

Oh, were I a steed!

Thou wouldst love me indeed.

I would I were gold

That thy fingers might hold!

If thou boughtest aught then,

I’d return soon again.

I would I were gold

That thy fingers might hold!

I would I were true,

And my sweetheart still new!

To be faithful I’d swear,

And would go away ne’er.

I would I were true,

And my sweetheart still new!

I would I were old,

And wrinkled and cold,

So that if thou said’st No,

I could stand such a blow!

I would I were old,

And wrinkled and cold.

An ape I would be,

Full of mischievous glee;

If aught came to vex thee,

I’d plague and perplex thee.

An ape I would be,

Full of mischievous glee

As a lamb I’d behave,

As a lion be brave,

As a lynx clearly see,

As a fox cunning be.

As a lamb I’d behave,

As a lion be brave.

Whatever I were,

All on thee I’d confer;

With the gifts of a prince

My affection evince.

Whatever I were,

All on thee I’d confer.

As nought diff’rent can make me,

As I am thou must take me!

If I’m not good enough,

Thou must cut thine own stuff.

As nought diff’rent can make me,

As I am thou must take me!

1815.* ——- THE GOLDSMITH’S APPRENTICE.

My neighbour, none can e’er deny,

Is a most beauteous maid;

Her shop is ever in mine eye,

When working at my trade.

To ring and chain I hammer then

The wire of gold assay’d,

And think the while: “For Kate, oh when

Will such a ring be made?”

And when she takes her shutters down,

Her shop at once invade,

To buy and haggle, all the town,

For all that’s there displayd.

I file, and maybe overfile

The wire of gold assay’d;

My master grumbles all the while,—

Her shop the mischief made.

To ply her wheel she straight begins,

When not engaged in trade;

I know full well for what she spins,—

‘Tis hope guides that dear maid.

Her leg, while her small foot treads on,

Is in my mind portray’d;

Her garter I recall anon,—

I gave it that dear maid.

Then to her lips the finest thread

Is by her hand convey’d.

Were I there only in its stead,

How I would kiss the maid!

1808. ——- ANSWERS IN A GAME OF QUESTIONS.

THE LADY.

IN the small and great world too,

What most charms a woman’s heart?

It is doubtless what is new,

For its blossoms joy impart;

Nobler far is what is true,

For fresh blossoms it can shoot

Even in the time of fruit.

THE YOUNG GENTLEMAN.

With the Nymphs in wood and cave

Paris was acquainted well,

Till Zeus sent, to make him rave,

Three of those in Heav’n who dwell;

And the choice more trouble gave

Than e’er fell to mortal lot,

Whether in old times or not.

THE EXPERIENCED.

Tenderly a woman view,

And thoult win her, take my word;

He who’s quick and saucy too,

Will of all men be preferr’d;

Who ne’er seems as if he knew

If he pleases, if he charms,—

He ‘tis injures, he ‘tis harms.

THE CONTENTED.

Manifold is human strife,

Human passion, human pain;

Many a blessing yet is rife,

Many pleasures still remain.

Yet the greatest bliss in life,

And the richest prize we find,

Is a good, contented mind.

THE MERRY COUNSEL.

He by whom man’s foolish will

Is each day review’d and blamed,

Who, when others fools are still,

Is himself a fool proclaim’d,—

Ne’er at mill was beast’s back press’d

With a heavier load than he.

What I feel within my breast

That in truth’s the thing for me!

1789. ——- DIFFERENT EMOTIONS ON THE SAME SPOT.

THE MAIDEN.

I’VE seen him before me!

What rapture steals o’er me!

Oh heavenly sight!

He’s coming to meet me;

Perplex’d, I retreat me,

With shame take to flight.

My mind seems to wander!

Ye rocks and trees yonder,

Conceal ye my rapture.

Conceal my delight!

THE YOUTH.

‘Tis here I must find her,

‘Twas here she enshrined her,

Here vanish’d from sight.

She came, as to meet me,

Then fearing to greet me,

With shame took to flight.

Is’t hope? Do I wander?

Ye rocks and trees yonder,

Disclose ye the loved one,

Disclose my delight!

THE LANGUISHING.

O’er my sad, fate I sorrow,

To each dewy morrow,

Veil’d here from man’s sight

By the many mistaken,

Unknown and forsaken,

Here I wing my flight!

Compassionate spirit!

Let none ever hear it,—

Conceal my affliction,

Conceal thy delight!

THE HUNTER.

To-day I’m rewarded;

Rich booty’s afforded

By Fortune so bright.

My servant the pheasants,

And hares fit for presents

Takes homeward at night;

Here see I enraptured

In nets the birds captured!—

Long life to the hunter!

Long live his delight!

1789. ——- WHO’LL BUY GODS OF LOVE?

OF all the beauteous wares

Exposed for sale at fairs,

None will give more delight

Than those that to your sight

From distant lands we bring.

Oh, hark to what we sing!

These beauteous birds behold,

They’re brought here to be sold.

And first the big one see,

So full of roguish glee!

With light and merry bound

He leaps upon the ground;

Then springs up on the bougd,

We will not praise him now.

The merry bird behold,—

He’s brought here to be sold.

And now the small one see!

A modest look has he,

And yet he’s such apother

As his big roguish brother.

‘Tis chiefly when all’s still

He loves to show his will.

The bird so small and bold,—

He’s brought here to be sold.

Observe this little love,

This darling turtle dove!

All maidens are so neat,

So civil, so discreet

Let them their charms set loose,

And turn your love to use;

The gentle bird behold,—

She’s brought here to be sold.

Their praises we won’t tell;

They’ll stand inspection well.

They’re fond of what is new,—

And yet, to show they’re true,

Nor seal nor letter’s wanted;

To all have wings been granted.

The pretty birds behold,—

Such beauties ne’er were sold!

1795. ——- THE MISANTHROPE.

AT first awhile sits he,

With calm, unruffled brow;

His features then I see,

Distorted hideously,—

An owl’s they might be now.

What is it, askest thou?

Is’t love, or is’t ennui?

‘Tis both at once, I vow.

1767-9. ——- DIFFERENT THREATS.

I ONCE into a forest far

My maiden went to seek,

And fell upon her neck, when: “Ah!”

She threaten’d, “I will shriek!”

Then cried I haughtily: “I’ll crush

The man that dares come near thee!”

“Hush!” whisper’d she: “My loved one, hush!

Or else they’ll overhear thee!”

1767-9. ——- MAIDEN WISHES.

WHAT pleasure to me

A bridegroom would be!

When married we are,

They call us mamma.

No need then to sew,

To school we ne’er go;

Command uncontroll’d,

Have maids, whom to scold;

Choose clothes at our ease,

Of what tradesmen we please;

Walk freely about,

And go to each rout,

And unrestrained are

By papa or mamma.

1767-9. ——- MOTIVES.

IF to a girl who loves us truly

Her mother gives instruction duly

In virtue, duty, and what not,—

And if she hearkens ne’er a jot,

But with fresh-strengthen’d longing flies

To meet our kiss that seems to burn,—

Caprice has just as much concerned

As love in her bold enterprise.

But if her mother can succeed

In gaining for her maxims heed,

And softening the girl’s heart too,

So that she coyly shuns our view,—

The heart of youth she knows but ill;

For when a maiden is thus stern,

Virtue in truth has less concern

In this, than an inconstant will.

1767-9. ——- TRUE ENJOYMENT.

VAINLY wouldst thou, to gain a heart,

Heap up a maiden’s lap with gold;

The joys of love thou must impart,

Wouldst thou e’er see those joys unfold.

The voices of the throng gold buys,

No single heart ‘twill win for thee;

Wouldst thou a maiden make thy prize,

Thyself alone the bribe must be.

If by no sacred tie thou’rt bound,

Oh youth, thou must thyself restrain!

Well may true liberty be found,

Tho’ man may seem to wear a chain.

Let one alone inflame thee e’er,

And if her heart with love o’erflows,

Let tenderness unite you there,

If duty’s self no fetter knows.

First feel, oh youth! A girl then find

Worthy thy choice,—let her choose thee,

In body fair, and fair in mind,

And then thou wilt be blessed, like me.

I who have made this art mine own,

A girl have chosen such as this

The blessing of the priest alone

Is wanting to complete our bliss.

Nought but my rapture is her guide,

Only for me she cares to please,—

Ne’er wanton save when by my side,

And modest when the world she sees;

That time our glow may never chill,

She yields no right through frailty;

Her favour is a favour still,

And I must ever grateful be.

Yet I’m content, and full of joy,

If she’ll but grant her smile so sweet,

Or if at table she’ll employ,

To pillow hers, her lover’s feet,

Give me the apple that she bit,

The glass from which she drank, bestow,

And when my kiss so orders it,

Her bosom, veil’d till then, will show.

And when she wills of love to speak,

In fond and silent hours of bliss,

Words from her mouth are all I seek,

Nought else I crave,—not e’en a kiss.

With what a soul her mind is fraught,

Wreath’d round with charms unceasingly!

She’s perfect,—and she fails in nought

Save in her deigning to love me.

My rev’rence throws me at her feet,

My longing throws me on her breast;

This, youth, is rapture true and sweet,

Be wise, thus seeking to be blest.

When death shall take thee from her side,

To join the angelic choir above,

In heaven’s bright mansions to abide,—

No diff’rence at the change thoult prove.

1767-8. ——- THE FAREWELL.

[Probably addressed to his mistress Frederica.]

LET mine eye the farewell say,

That my lips can utter ne’er;

Fain I’d be a man to-day,

Yet ‘tis hard, oh, hard to bear!

Mournful in an hour like this

Is love’s sweetest pledge, I ween;

Cold upon thy mouth the kiss,

Faint thy fingers’ pressure e’en.

Oh what rapture to my heart

Used each stolen kiss to bring!

As the violets joy impart,

Gather’d in the early spring.

Now no garlands I entwine,

Now no roses pluck. for thee,

Though ‘tis springtime, Fanny mine,

Dreary autumn ‘tis to me!

1771. ——- THE BEAUTIFUL NIGHT.

Now I leave this cottage lowly,

Where my love hath made her home,

And with silent footstep slowly

Through the darksome forest roam,

Luna breaks through oaks and bushes,

Zephyr hastes her steps to meet,

And the waving birch-tree blushes,

Scattering round her incense sweet.

Grateful are the cooling breezes

Of this beauteous summer night,

Here is felt the charm that pleases,

And that gives the soul delight.

Boundless is my joy; yet, Heaven,

Willingly I’d leave to thee

Thousand such nights, were one given

By my maiden loved to me!

1767-8. ——- HAPPINESS AND VISION.

TOGETHER at the altar we

In vision oft were seen by thee,

Thyself as bride, as bridegroom I.

Oft from thy mouth full many a kiss

In an unguarded hour of bliss

I then would steal, while none were by.

The purest rapture we then knew,

The joy those happy hours gave too,

When tasted, fled, as time fleets on.

What now avails my joy to me?

Like dreams the warmest kisses flee,

Like kisses, soon all joys are gone.

1767-8. ——- LIVING REMEMBRANCE.

HALF vex’d, half pleased, thy love will feel,

Shouldst thou her knot or ribbon steal;

To thee they’re much—I won’t conceal;

Such self-deceit may pardon’d be;

A veil, a kerchief, garter, rings,

In truth are no mean trifling things,

But still they’re not enough for me.

She who is dearest to my heart,

Gave me, with well dissembled smart,

Of her own life, a living part,

No charm in aught beside I trace;

How do I scorn thy paltry ware!

A lock she gave me of the hair

That wantons o’er her beauteous face.

If, loved one, we must sever’d be,

Wouldst thou not wholly fly from me,

I still possess this legacy,

To look at, and to kiss in play.—

My fate is to the hair’s allied,

We used to woo her with like pride,

And now we both are far away.

Her charms with equal joy we press’d,

Her swelling cheeks anon caress’d,

Lured onward by a yearning blest,

Upon her heaving bosom fell.

Oh rival, free from envy’s sway,

Thou precious gift, thou beauteous prey.

Remain my joy and bliss to tell!

1767-9. ——- THE BLISS OF ABSENCE.

DRINK, oh youth, joy’s purest ray

From thy loved one’s eyes all day,

And her image paint at night!

Better rule no lover knows,

Yet true rapture greater grows,

When far sever’d from her sight.

Powers eternal, distance, time,

Like the might of stars sublime,

Gently rock the blood to rest,

O’er my senses softness steals,

Yet my bosom lighter feels,

And I daily am more blest.

Though I can forget her ne’er,

Yet my mind is free from care,

I can calmly live and move;

Unperceived infatuation

Longing turns to adoration,

Turns to reverence my love.

Ne’er can cloud, however light,

Float in ether’s regions bright,

When drawn upwards by the sun,

As my heart in rapturous calm.

Free from envy and alarm,

Ever love I her alone!

1767-9. ——- TO LUNA.

SISTER of the first-born light,

Type of sorrowing gentleness!

Quivering mists in silv’ry dress

Float around thy features bright;

When thy gentle foot is heard,

From the day-closed caverns then

Wake the mournful ghosts of men,

I, too, wake, and each night-bird.

O’er a field of boundless span

Looks thy gaze both far and wide.

Raise me upwards to thy side!

Grant this to a raving man!

And to heights of rapture raised,

Let the knight so crafty peep

At his maiden while asleep,

Through her lattice-window glazed.

Soon the bliss of this sweet view,

Pangs by distance caused allays;

And I gather all thy rays,

And my look I sharpen too.

Round her unveil’d limbs I see

Brighter still become the glow,

And she draws me down below,

As Endymion once drew thee.

1767-9. ——- THE WEDDING NIGHT.

WITHIN the chamber, far away

From the glad feast, sits Love in dread

Lest guests disturb, in wanton play,

The silence of the bridal bed.

His torch’s pale flame serves to gild

The scene with mystic sacred glow;

The room with incense-clouds is fil’d,

That ye may perfect rapture know.

How beats thy heart, when thou dost hear

The chime that warns thy guests to fly!

How glow’st thou for those lips so dear,

That soon are mute, and nought deny!

With her into the holy place

Thou hast’nest then, to perfect all;

The fire the warder’s hands embrace,

Grows, like a night-light, dim and small.

How heaves her bosom, and how burns

Her face at every fervent kiss!

Her coldness now to trembling turns,

Thy daring now a duty is.

Love helps thee to undress her fast,

But thou art twice as fast as he;

And then he shuts both eye at last,

With sly and roguish modesty.

1767. ——- MISCHIEVOUS JOY.

AS a butterfly renew’d,

When in life I breath’d my last,

To the spots my flight I wing,

Scenes of heav’nly rapture past,

Over meadows, to the spring,

Round the hill, and through the wood.

Soon a tender pair I spy,

And I look down from my seat

On the beauteous maiden’s head—

When embodied there I meet

All I lost as soon as dead,

Happy as before am I.

Him she clasps with silent smile,

And his mouth the hour improves,

Sent by kindly Deities;

First from breast to mouth it roves,

Then from mouth to hands it flies,

And I round him sport the while.

And she sees me hov’ring near;

Trembling at her lovers rapture,

Up she springs—I fly away,

“Dearest! let’s the insect capture

Come! I long to make my prey

Yonder pretty little dear!”

1767-9. ——- APPARENT DEATH.

WEEP, maiden, weep here o’er the tomb of Love;

He died of nothing—by mere chance was slain.

But is he really dead?—oh, that I cannot prove:

A nothing, a mere chance, oft gives him life again.

1767-9. ——- NOVEMBER SONG.

To the great archer—not to him

To meet whom flies the sun,

And who is wont his features dim

With clouds to overrun—

But to the boy be vow’d these rhymes,

Who ‘mongst the roses plays,

Who hear us, and at proper times

To pierce fair hearts essays.

Through him the gloomy winter night,

Of yore so cold and drear,

Brings many a loved friend to our sight,

And many a woman dear.

Henceforward shall his image fair

Stand in yon starry skies,

And, ever mild and gracious there,

Alternate set and rise.

1815.*

——-

TO THE CHOSEN ONE.

[This sweet song is doubtless one of those addressed to

Frederica.]

HAND in hand! and lip to lip!

Oh, be faithful, maiden dear!

Fare thee well! thy lover’s ship

Past full many a rock must steers

But should he the haven see,

When the storm has ceased to break,

And be happy, reft of thee,—

May the Gods fierce vengeance take!

Boldly dared is well nigh won!

Half my task is solved aright;

Ev’ry star’s to me a sun,

Only cowards deem it night.

Stood I idly by thy side,

Sorrow still would sadden me;

But when seas our paths divide,

Gladly toil I,—toil for thee!

Now the valley I perceive,

Where together we will go,

And the streamlet watch each eve,

Gliding peacefully below

Oh, the poplars on yon spot!

Oh, the beech trees in yon grove!

And behind we’ll build a cot,

Where to taste the joys of love!

1771. ——- FIRST LOSS.

AH! who’ll e’er those days restore,

Those bright days of early love

Who’ll one hour again concede,

Of that time so fondly cherish’d!

Silently my wounds I feed,

And with wailing evermore

Sorrow o’er each joy now perish’d.

Ah! who’ll e’er the days restore

Of that time so fondly cherish’d.

1789.* ——- AFTER-SENSATIONS.

WHEN the vine again is blowing,

Then the wine moves in the cask;

When the rose again is glowing,

Wherefore should I feel oppress’d?

Down my cheeks run tears all-burning,

If I do, or leave my task;

I but feel a speechless yearning,

That pervades my inmost breast.

But at length I see the reason,

When the question I would ask:

‘Twas in such a beauteous season,

Doris glowed to make me blest!

1797. ——- PROXIMITY OF THE BELOVED ONE.

I THINK of thee, whene’er the sun his beams

O’er ocean flings;

I think of thee, whene’er the moonlight gleams

In silv’ry springs.

I see thee, when upon the distant ridge

The dust awakes;

At midnight’s hour, when on the fragile bridge

The wanderer quakes.

I hear thee, when yon billows rise on high,

With murmur deep.

To tread the silent grove oft wander I,

When all’s asleep.

I’m near thee, though thou far away mayst be—

Thou, too, art near!

The sun then sets, the stars soon lighten me.

Would thou wert here!

1795. ——- PRESENCE.

ALL things give token of thee!

As soon as the bright sun is shining,

Thou too wilt follow, I trust.

When in the garden thou walk’st,

Thou then art the rose of all roses,

Lily of lilies as well.

When thou dost move in the dance,

Then each constellation moves also;

With thee and round thee they move.

Night! oh, what bliss were the night!

For then thou o’ershadow’st the lustre,

Dazzling and fair, of the moon.

Dazzling and beauteous art thou,

And flowers, and moon, and the planets

Homage pay, Sun, but to thee.

Sun! to me also be thou

Creator of days bright and glorious;

Life and Eternity this!

1813. ——- TO THE DISTANT ONE.

AND have I lost thee evermore?

Hast thou, oh fair one, from me flown?

Still in mine ear sounds, as of yore,

Thine ev’ry word, thine ev’ry tone.

As when at morn the wand’rer’s eye

Attempts to pierce the air in vain,

When, hidden in the azure sky,

The lark high o’er him chaunts his strain:

So do I cast my troubled gaze

Through bush, through forest, o’er the lea;

Thou art invoked by all my lays;

Oh, come then, loved one, back to me!

1789.* ——- BY THE RIVER.

FLOW on, ye lays so loved, so fair,

On to Oblivion’s ocean flow!

May no rapt boy recall you e’er,

No maiden in her beauty’s glow!

My love alone was then your theme,

But now she scorns my passion true.

Ye were but written in the stream;

As it flows on, then, flow ye too!

1798.* ——- FAREWELL.

To break one’s word is pleasure-fraught,

To do one’s duty gives a smart;

While man, alas! will promise nought,

That is repugnant to his heart.

Using some magic strains of yore,

Thou lurest him, when scarcely calm,

On to sweet folly’s fragile bark once more,

Renewing, doubling chance of harm.

Why seek to hide thyself from me?

Fly not my sight—be open then!

Known late or early it must be,

And here thou hast thy word again.

My duty is fulfill’d to-day,

No longer will I guard thee from surprise;

But, oh, forgive the friend who from thee turns away,

And to himself for refuge flies!

1797. ——- THE EXCHANGE.

THE stones in the streamlet I make my bright pillow,

And open my arms to the swift-rolling billow,

That lovingly hastens to fall on my breast.

Then fickleness soon bids it onwards be flowing;

A second draws nigh, its caresses bestowing,—

And so by a twofold enjoyment I’m blest.

And yet thou art trailing in sorrow and sadness

The moments that life, as it flies, gave for gladness,

Because by thy love thou’rt remember’d no more!

Oh, call back to mind former days and their blisses!

The lips of the second will give as sweet kisses

As any the lips of the first gave before!

1767-9. ——- WELCOME AND FAREWELL.

[Another of the love-songs addressed to Frederica.]

QUICK throbb’d my heart: to norse! haste, haste,

And lo! ‘twas done with speed of light;

The evening soon the world embraced,

And o’er the mountains hung the night.

Soon stood, in robe of mist, the oak,

A tow’ring giant in his size,

Where darkness through the thicket broke,

And glared with hundred gloomy eyes.

From out a hill of clouds the moon

With mournful gaze began to peer:

The winds their soft wings flutter’d soon,

And murmur’d in mine awe-struck ear;

The night a thousand monsters made,

Yet fresh and joyous was my mind;

What fire within my veins then play’d!

What glow was in my bosom shrin’d!

I saw thee, and with tender pride

Felt thy sweet gaze pour joy on me;

While all my heart was at thy side.

And every breath I breath’d for thee.

The roseate hues that spring supplies

Were playing round thy features fair,

And love for me—ye Deities!

I hoped it, I deserved it ne’er!

But, when the morning sun return’d,

Departure filled with grief my heart:

Within thy kiss, what rapture burn’d!

But in thy look, what bitter smart!

I went—thy gaze to earth first roved

Thou follow’dst me with tearful eye:

And yet, what rapture to be loved!

And, Gods, to love—what ecstasy!

1771. ——- NEW LOVE, NEW LIFE.

[Written at the time of Goethe’s connection with Lily.]

HEART! my heart! what means this feeling?

What oppresseth thee so sore?

What strange life is o’er me stealing!

I acknowledge thee no more.

Fled is all that gave thee gladness,

Fled the cause of all thy sadness,

Fled thy peace, thine industry—

Ah, why suffer it to be?

Say, do beauty’s graces youthful,

Does this form so fair and bright,

Does this gaze, so kind, so truthful,

Chain thee with unceasing might?

Would I tear me from her boldly,

Courage take, and fly her coldly,

Back to her. I’m forthwith led

By the path I seek to tread.

By a thread I ne’er can sever,

For ‘tis ‘twined with magic skill,

Doth the cruel maid for ever

Hold me fast against my will.

While those magic chains confine me,

To her will I must resign me.

Ah, the change in truth is great!

Love! kind love! release me straight!

1775. ——- TO BELINDA.

[This song was also written for Lily. Goethe mentions, at the end of his Autobiography, that he overheard her singing it one evening after he had taken his last farewell of her.]

WHEREFORE drag me to yon glittering eddy,

With resistless might?

Was I, then, not truly blest already

In the silent night?

In my secret chamber refuge taking,

‘Neath the moon’s soft ray,

And her awful light around me breaking,

Musing there I lay.

And I dream’d of hours with joy o’erflowing,

Golden, truly blest,

While thine image so beloved was glowing

Deep within my breast.

Now to the card-table hast thou bound me,

‘Midst the torches glare?

Whilst unhappy faces are around me,

Dost thou hold me there?

Spring-flow’rs are to me more rapture-giving,

Now conceal’d from view;

Where thou, angel, art, is Nature living,

Love and kindness too.

1775. ——- MAY SONG.

How fair doth Nature

Appear again!

How bright the sunbeams!

How smiles the plain!

The flow’rs are bursting

From ev’ry bough,

And thousand voices

Each bush yields now.

And joy and gladness

Fill ev’ry breast!

Oh earth!—oh sunlight!

Oh rapture blest!

Oh love! oh loved one!

As golden bright,

As clouds of morning

On yonder height!

Thou blessest gladly

The smiling field,—

The world in fragrant

Vapour conceal’d.

Oh maiden, maiden,

How love I thee!

Thine eye, how gleams it!

How lov’st thou me!

The blithe lark loveth

Sweet song and air,

The morning flow’ret

Heav’n’s incense fair,

As I now love thee

With fond desire,

For thou dost give me

Youth, joy, and fire,

For new-born dances

And minstrelsy.

Be ever happy,

As thou lov’st me!

1775.* ——- WITH A PAINTED RIBBON.

LITTLE leaves and flow’rets too,

Scatter we with gentle hand,

Kind young spring-gods to the view,

Sporting on an airy band.

Zephyr, bear it on the wing,

Twine it round my loved one’s dress;

To her glass then let her spring,

Full of eager joyousness.

Roses round her let her see,

She herself a youthful rose.

Grant, dear life, one look to me!

‘Twill repay me all my woes,

What this bosom feels, feel thou.

Freely offer me thy hand;

Let the band that joins us now

Be no fragile rosy band!

1770. ——- WITH A GOLDEN NECKLACE.

THIS page a chain to bring thee burns,

That, train’d to suppleness of old,

On thy fair neck to nestle, yearns,

In many a hundred little fold.

To please the silly thing consent!

‘Tis harmless, and from boldness free;

By day a trifling ornament,

At night ‘tis cast aside by thee.

But if the chain they bring thee ever,

Heavier, more fraught with weal or woe,

I’d then, Lisette, reproach thee never

If thou shouldst greater scruples show.

1775.* ——- ON THE LAKE,

[Written on the occasion of Goethe’s starting with his friend

Passavant on a Swiss Tour.]

I DRINK fresh nourishment, new blood

From out this world more free;

The Nature is so kind and good

That to her breast clasps me!

The billows toss our bark on high,

And with our oars keep time,

While cloudy mountains tow’rd the sky

Before our progress climb.

Say, mine eye, why sink’st thou down?

Golden visions, are ye flown?

Hence, thou dream, tho’ golden-twin’d;

Here, too, love and life I find.

Over the waters are blinking

Many a thousand fair star;

Gentle mists are drinking

Round the horizon afar.

Round the shady creek lightly

Morning zephyrs awake,

And the ripen’d fruit brightly

Mirrors itself in the lake.

1775. ——- FROM THE MOUNTAIN.

[Written just after the preceding one, on a mountain overlooking the Lake of Zurich.]

IF I, dearest Lily, did not love thee,

How this prospect would enchant my sight!

And yet if I, Lily, did not love thee,

Could I find, or here, or there, delight?

1775. ——- FLOWER-SALUTE.

THIS nosegay,—’twas I dress’d it,—

Greets thee a thousand times!

Oft stoop’d I, and caress’d it,

Ah! full a thousand times,

And ‘gainst my bosom press’d it

A hundred thousand times!

1815.* ——- IN SUMMER.

How plain and height

With dewdrops are bright!

How pearls have crown’d

The plants all around!

How sighs the breeze

Thro’ thicket and trees!

How loudly in the sun’s clear rays

The sweet birds carol forth their lays!

But, ah! above,

Where saw I my love,

Within her room,

Small, mantled in gloom,

Enclosed around,

Where sunlight was drown’d,

How little there was earth to me,

With all its beauteous majesty!

1776.* ——- MAY SONG.

BETWEEN wheatfield and corn,

Between hedgerow and thorn,

Between pasture and tree,

Where’s my sweetheart

Tell it me!

Sweetheart caught I

Not at home;

She’s then, thought I.

Gone to roam.

Fair and loving

Blooms sweet May;

Sweetheart’s roving,

Free and gay.

By the rock near the wave,

Where her first kiss she gave,

On the greensward, to me,—

Something I see!

Is it she?

1812. ——- PREMATURE SPRING.

DAYS full of rapture,

Are ye renew’d ?—

Smile in the sunlight

Mountain and wood?

Streams richer laden

Flow through the dale,

Are these the meadows?

Is this the vale?

Coolness cerulean!

Heaven and height!

Fish crowd the ocean,

Golden and bright.

Birds of gay plumage

Sport in the grove,

Heavenly numbers

Singing above.

Under the verdure’s

Vigorous bloom,

Bees, softly bumming,

Juices consume.

Gentle disturbance

Quivers in air,

Sleep-causing fragrance,

Motion so fair.

Soon with more power

Rises the breeze,

Then in a moment

Dies in the trees.

But to the bosom

Comes it again.

Aid me, ye Muses,

Bliss to sustain!

Say what has happen’d

Since yester e’en?

Oh, ye fair sisters,

Her I have seen!

1802. ——- AUTUMN FEELINGS.

FLOURISH greener, as ye clamber,

Oh ye leaves, to seek my chamber,

Up the trellis’d vine on high!

May ye swell, twin-berries tender,

Juicier far,—and with more splendour

Ripen, and more speedily!

O’er ye broods the sun at even

As he sinks to rest, and heaven

Softly breathes into your ear

All its fertilising fullness,

While the moon’s refreshing coolness,

Magic-laden, hovers near;

And, alas! ye’re watered ever

By a stream of tears that rill

From mine eyes—tears ceasing never,

Tears of love that nought can still!

1775.* ——- RESTLESS LOVE.

THROUGH rain, through snow,

Through tempest go!

‘Mongst streaming caves,

O’er misty waves,

On, on! still on!

Peace, rest have flown!

Sooner through sadness

I’d wish to be slain,

Than all the gladness

Of life to sustain

All the fond yearning

That heart feels for heart,

Only seems burning

To make them both smart.

How shall I fly?

Forestwards hie?

Vain were all strife!

Bright crown of life.

Turbulent bliss,—

Love, thou art this!

1789. ——- THE SHEPHERD’S LAMENT.

ON yonder lofty mountain

A thousand times I stand,

And on my staff reclining,

Look down on the smiling land.

My grazing flocks then I follow,

My dog protecting them well;

I find myself in the valley,

But how, I scarcely can tell.

The whole of the meadow is cover’d

With flowers of beauty rare;

I pluck them, but pluck them unknowing

To whom the offering to bear.

In rain and storm and tempest,

I tarry beneath the tree,

But closed remaineth yon portal;

‘Tis all but a vision to me.

High over yonder dwelling,

There rises a rainbow gay;

But she from home hath departed

And wander’d far, far away.

Yes, far away bath she wander’d,

Perchance e’en over the sea;

Move onward, ye sheep, then, move onward!

Full sad the shepherd must be.

1803.* ——- COMFORT IN TEARS.

How happens it that thou art sad,

While happy all appear?

Thine eye proclaims too well that thou

Hast wept full many a tear.

“If I have wept in solitude,

None other shares my grief,

And tears to me sweet balsam are,

And give my heart relief.”

Thy happy friends invite thee now,—

Oh come, then, to our breast!

And let the loss thou hast sustain’d

Be there to us confess’d!

“Ye shout, torment me, knowing not

What ‘tis afflicteth me;

Ah no! I have sustained no loss,

Whate’er may wanting be.”

If so it is, arise in haste!

Thou’rt young and full of life.

At years like thine, man’s blest with strength.

And courage for the strife.

“Ah no! in vain ‘twould be to strive,

The thing I seek is far;

It dwells as high, it gleams as fair

As yonder glitt’ring star.”

The stars we never long to clasp,

We revel in their light,

And with enchantment upward gaze,

Each clear and radiant night.

“And I with rapture upward gaze,

On many a blissful day;

Then let me pass the night in tears,

Till tears are wip’d away!

1803.* ——- NIGHT SONG,

WHEN on thy pillow lying,

Half listen, I implore,

And at my lute’s soft sighing,