A PLAN THE MUSES ENTERTAINED
A PLAN the Muses entertain’d Methodically to impart To Psyche the poetic art; Prosaic-pure her soul remain’d. No wondrous sounds escaped her lyre E’en in the fairest Summer night; But Amor came with glance
WEDDING SONG
THE tale of the Count our glad song shall record Who had in this castle his dwelling, Where now ye are feasting the new-married lord, His grandson of whom we are telling. The Count
EVER AND EVERYWHERE
FAR explore the mountain hollow, High in air the clouds then follow! To each brook and vale the Muse Thousand times her call renews. Soon as a flow’ret blooms in spring, It wakens many
GENERAL CONFESSION
In this noble ring to-day Let my warning shame ye! Listen to my solemn voice, Seldom does it name ye. Many a thing have ye intended, Many a thing have badly ended, And now
THE MAGIC NET
Do I see a contest yonder? See I miracles or pastimes? Beauteous urchins, five in number, ‘Gainst five sisters fair contending, Measured is the time they’re beating At a bright enchantress’ bidding. Glitt’ring spears
ERGO BIBAMUS!
FOR a praiseworthy object we’re now gather’d here, So, brethren, sing: ERGO BIBAMUS! Tho’ talk may be hush’d, yet the glasses ring clear, Remember then: ERGO BIBAMUS! In truth ’tis an old, ’tis an
SHE CANNOT END
WHEN unto thee I sent the page all white, Instead of first thereon inscribing aught, The space thou doubtless filledst up in sport. And sent it me, to make my joy grow bright. As
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
THE VISIT
FAIN had I to-day surprised my mistress, But soon found I that her door was fasten’d. Yet I had the key safe in my pocket, And the darling door I open’d softly! In the
PETITION
OH thou sweet maiden fair, Thou with the raven hair, Why to the window go? While gazing down below, Art standing vainly there? Oh, if thou stood’st for me, And lett’st the latch but
VALEDICTION
I ONCE was fond of fools, And bid them come each day; Then each one brought his tools The carpenter to play; The roof to strip first choosing, Another to supply, The wood as
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
BY THE RIVER
WHEN by the broad stream thou dost dwell, Oft shallow is its sluggish flood; Then, when thy fields thou tendest well, It o’er them spreads its slime and mud. The ships descend ere daylight
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
THE PUPIL IN MAGIC
I AM now, what joy to hear it! Of the old magician rid; And henceforth shall ev’ry spirit Do whate’er by me is bid; I have watch’d with rigour All he used to do,