RECIPROCAL
MY mistress, where sits she? What is it that charms? The absent she’s rocking, Held fast in her arms. In pretty cage prison’d She holds a bird still; Yet lets him fly from her,
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
FINNISH SONG
IF the loved one, the well-known one, Should return as he departed, On his lips would ring my kisses, Though the wolf’s blood might have dyed them; And a hearty grasp I’d give him,
PLAYING AT PRIESTS
WITHIN a town where parity According to old form we see, That is to say, where Catholic And Protestant no quarrels pick, And where, as in his father’s day, Each worships God in his
SAKONTALA
WOULDST thou the blossoms of spring, as well as the fruits of The autumn, Wouldst thou what charms and delights, wouldst thou what Plenteously, feeds, Would thou include both Heaven and earth in one
TO THE RISING FULL MOON
Dornburg, 25th August, 1828. WILT thou suddenly enshroud thee, Who this moment wert so nigh? Heavy rising masses cloud thee, Thou art hidden from mine eye. Yet my sadness thou well knowest, Gleaming sweetly
THE BOUNDARIES OF HUMANITY
WHEN the primeval All-holy Father Sows with a tranquil hand From clouds, as they roll, Bliss-spreading lightnings Over the earth, Then do I kiss the last Hem of his garment, While by a childlike
MAHOMET'S SONG
[This song was intended to be introduced in A dramatic poem entitled Mahomet, the plan of which was not carried Out by Goethe. He mentions that it was to have been sung by Ali
THE MUSE'S MIRROR
EARLY one day, the Muse, when eagerly bent on adornment, Follow’d a swift-running streamlet, the quietest nook by it seeking. Quickly and noisily flowing, the changeful surface distorted Ever her moving form; the goddess
TO FATHER* KRONOS
[written in a post-chaise.] (* In the original, Schwager, which has the Twofold meaning of brother-in-law and postilion.) HASTEN thee, Kronos! On with clattering trot Downhill goeth thy path; Loathsome dizziness ever, When thou
TO MIGNON
OVER vale and torrent far Rolls along the sun’s bright car. Ah! he wakens in his course Mine, as thy deep-seated smart In the heart. Ev’ry morning with new force. Scarce avails night aught
THE FOX AND CRANE
ONCE two persons uninvited Came to join my dinner table; For the nonce they lived united, Fox and crane yclept in fable. Civil greetings pass’d between us Then I pluck’d some pigeons tender For
SYMBOLS
PALM Sunday at the Vatican They celebrate with palms; With reverence bows each holy man, And chaunts the ancient psalms. Those very psalms are also sung With olive boughs in hand, While holly, mountain
TAME XENIA
THE Epigrams bearing the title of XENIA were written By Goethe and Schiller together, having been first occasioned by Some violent attacks made on them by some insignificant writers. They are extremely numerous, but
IDYLL
A village Chorus is supposed to be assembled, and about to Commence its festive procession. [Written for the birthday of the Duchess Louisa of Weimar.] CHORUS. THE festal day hail ye With garlands of