第1章

TOTHECOUNTESSGRANVILLE。

MYDEARLADYGRANVILLE，——

THEreluctancewhichmustnaturallybefeltbyanyoneinventuringtogivetotheworldabooksuchasthepresent，wherethebeautiesofthegreatoriginalmustinevitablybediminished，ifnotdestroyed，intheprocessofpassingthroughthetranslator’shands，cannotbutbefeltinallitsforcewhenthattranslatorhasnotpenetratedbeyondtheoutercourtsofthepoeticfane，andcanhavenohopeofadvancingfurther，orofreachingitssanctuary。Butitistomeasubjectofpeculiarsatisfactionthatyourkindpermissiontohaveyournameinscribeduponthispageservestoattainatwofoldend——onedirectandpersonal，andrelatingtothepresentday。theotherreflectedandhistorical，andbelongingtotimeslonggoneby。Ofthefirstlittleneednowbesaid，fortheprivilegeiswhollymine，inmakingthisdedication：astothesecond，onewordofexplanationwillsufficeforthosewhohavemadethegreatestpoetofGermany，almostoftheworld，theirstudy，andtowhomthestoryofhislifeisnotunknown。AllwhohavefollowedthecareerofGOETHEarefamiliarwiththenameandcharacterofDALBERG，andalsowiththedeepandlastingfriendshipthatexistedbetweenthem，fromwhichSCHILLERtoowasnotabsent。

recallingtothemindthedaysofold，whenaVirgilandaHoraceandaMaecenassatsidebyside。

Remembering，then，theconnectionthat，inaformercentury，wasformedandrivetedbetweenyourillustriousancestorandhimwhomitistheobjectofthesepagestorepresent，Ideemitahappyaugurythatthelinkthenestablishedfindsitselfnotwhollyseveredevennow(althoughitsstrengthmaybeimmeasurablyweakenedinthecomparison)，inasmuchasthispagebringsthemoncemoreincontact，theoneinthepersonofhisowndescendant，theotherinthatofthetranslatorofhisPoems。

Believeme，withgreattruth，Veryfaithfullyyours，EDGARA。BOWRING。

London，April，1853。

ORIGINALPREFACE。

Ifeelnosmallreluctanceinventuringtogivetothepublicaworkofthecharacterofthatindicatedbythetitle-pagetothepresentvolume。for，difficultasitmustalwaysbetorendersatisfactorilyintoone’sowntonguethewritingsofthebardsofotherlands，theresponsibilityassumedbythetranslatorisimmeasurablyincreasedwhenheattemptstotransferthethoughtsofthosegreatmen，whohavelivedforalltheworldandforallages，fromthelanguageinwhichtheywereoriginallyclothed，toonetowhichtheymayasyethavebeenstrangers。PreeminentlyisthisthecasewithGoethe，themostmasterlyofallthemastermindsofmoderntimes，whosenameisalreadyinscribedonthetabletsofimmortality，andwhosefamealreadyextendsovertheearth，althoughasyetonlyinitsinfancy。Scarcelyhavetwodecadespassedawaysinceheceasedtodwellamongmen，yethenowstandsbeforeus，notasamereindividual，likethosewhomtheworldiswonttocallgreat，butasatype，asanemblem——therecognisedemblemandrepresentativeofthehumanmindinitspresentstageofcultureandadvancement。

AmongtheinfinitelyvariedeffusionsofGoethe’spen，perhapstherearenonewhichareofasgeneralinterestashisPoems，whichbreathetheveryspiritofNature，andembodytherealmusicofthefeelings。InGermany，theyareuniversallyknown，andareconsideredasthemostdelightfulofhisworks。Yetinthiscountry，thiskindredcountry，sprungfromthesamestem，andsostronglyresemblinghersisterinsomanypoints，theyarenearlyunknown。AlmosttheonlypoeticalworkofthegreatestPoetthattheworldhasseenforages，thatisreallyandgenerallyreadinEngland，isFaust，thetranslationsofwhicharealmostendless。whilenosinglepersonhasasyetappearedtoattempttogive，inanEnglishdress，inanycollectiveorsystematicmanner，thosesmallerproductionsofthegeniusofGoethewhichitistheobjectofthepresentvolumetolaybeforethereader，whoseindulgenceisrequestedforitsmanyimperfections。InadditiontothebeautyofthelanguageinwhichthePoethasgivenutterancetohisthoughts，thereisadepthofmeaninginthosethoughtswhichisnoteasilydiscoverableatfirstsight，andthetranslatorincursgreatriskofoverlookingit，andofgivingaprosaiceffecttothatwhichintheoriginalcontainstheveryessenceofpoetry。ItisprobablythisdifficultythathasdeterredothersfromundertakingthetaskI

havesetmyself，andinwhichIdonotpretendtodomorethanattempttogiveanideaoftheminstrelsyofonesounrivalled，byastruthfulaninterpretationofitasliesinmypower。

TheprincipleswhichhaveguidedmeonthepresentoccasionarethesameasthosefollowedinthetranslationofSchiller’scompletePoemsthatwaspublishedbymein1851，namely，asliteralarenderingoftheoriginalasisconsistentwithgoodEnglish，andalsoaverystrictadherencetothemetreoftheoriginal。Althoughtranslatorsusuallyallowthemselvesgreatlicenseinboththesepoints，itappearstomethatbysodoingtheyofnecessitydestroytheverysouloftheworktheyprofesstotranslate。Infact，itisnotatranslation，butaparaphrasethattheygive。Itmayperhapsbethoughtthatthepresenttranslationsgoalmosttotheotherextreme，andthatarenderingofmetre，lineforline，andwordforword，makesitimpossibletopreservethepoetryoftheoriginalbothinsubstanceandinsound。Butexperiencehasconvincedmethatitisnotso，andthatgreatfidelityiseventhemostessentialelementofsuccess，whetherintranslatingpoetryorprose。ItwasthereforeverysatisfactorytometofindthattheprinciplelaiddownbymetomyselfintranslatingSchillermetwiththeverygeneral，ifnotuniversal，approvalofthereader。Atthesametime，I

haveendeavouredtoprofitinthecaseofthis，theyoungerbornofthetwoattemptsmadebymetotransplantthemuseofGermanytotheshoresofBritain，bythecriticisms，whetherfriendlyorhostile，thathavebeenevokedorprovokedbytheappearanceofitselderbrother。

Asalreadymentioned，thelattercontainedthewholeofthePoemsofSchiller。Itisimpossible，inanythinglikethesamecompass，togiveallthewritingsofGoethecomprisedunderthegeneraltitleofGedichte，orpoems。Theycontainbetween30，000

and40，000verses，exclusiveofhisplays。andsimilarworks。

VerymanyofthesewouldbeabsolutelywithoutinteresttotheEnglishreader，——suchasthosehavingonlyalocalapplication，thoseaddressedtoindividuals，andsoon。Othersagain，fromtheirextremelength，couldonlybepublishedinseparatevolumes。Buttheimpossibilityofgivingallneedformnoobstacletogivingasmuchaspossible。anditsohappensthattherealinterestofGoethe’sPoemscentresinthoseclassesofthemwhicharenottoodiffusetorunanyriskwhentranslatedofoffendingthereaderbytheirtoogreatnumber。ThosebyfarthemoregenerallyadmiredaretheSongsandBallads，whichareabout150innumber，andthewholeofwhicharecontainedinthisvolume(withtheexceptionofoneortwooftheformer，whichhavebeen，onconsideration，leftoutbymeowingtotheirtriflinganduninterestingnature)。ThesamemaybesaidoftheOdes，Sonnets，MiscellaneousPoems，&c。

InadditiontothoseportionsofGoethe’spoeticalworkswhicharegiveninthiscompleteform，specimensofthedifferentotherclassesofthem，suchastheEpigrams，Elegies，&c。，areadded，aswellasacollectionofthevariousSongsfoundinhisPlays，makingatotalnumberofabout400Poems，embracedinthepresentvolume。

AsketchofthelifeofGoetheisprefixed，inorderthatthereadermayhavebeforehimboththePoethimselfandthePoet’soffspring，andthathemayseethatthetwoarebutone——thatGoethelivesinhisworks，thathisworkslivedinhim。

ThedatesofthedifferentPoemsareappendedthroughout，thatofthefirstpublicationbeinggiven，whenthatofthecompositionisunknown。TheorderofarrangementadoptedisthatoftheauthorizedGermaneditions。AsGoethewouldneverarrangethemhimselfinthechronologicalorderoftheircomposition，ithasbecomeimpossibletodoso，nowthatheisdead。Theplanadoptedinthepresentvolumewouldthereforeseemtobethebest，asitfacilitatesreferencetotheoriginal。ThecircumstancesattendingorgivingrisetotheproductionofanyofthePoemswillbefoundspecifiedinthosecasesinwhichtheyhavebeenascertainedbyme。

Havingsaidthusmuchbywayofexplanation，Inowleavethebooktospeakforitself，andtotestifytoitsowncharacter。

Whetherviewedwithacharitableeyebythekindlyreader，whowillmakedueallowanceforthedifficultiesattendingitsexecution，orreceivedbythecritic，whowilljudgeofitonlybyitsownmerits，withtheunfriendlywelcomewhichitveryprobablydeserves，ItrustthatIshallatleastbepardonedformakinganattempt，afailureinwhichdoesnotnecessarilyimplydisgrace，andwhich，byleadingtheway，mayperhapsbecomethemeansofinducingsomeablerandmoreworthy(butnotmoreearnest)labourertoenteruponthesamefield，therichesofwhichwillremainunalteredandundiminishedinvalue，evenalthoughtheymaybeforthemomenttarnishedbythehandsofthelessskilfulworkmanwhofirstendeavourstotransplantthemtoaforeignsoil。

PREFACETOTHESECONDEDITION。

IhavetakenadvantageofthepublicationofaSecondEditionofmytranslationofthePoemsofGoethe(originallypublishedin1853)，toaddtotheCollectionaversionofthemuchadmiredclassicalPoemofHermannandDorothea，whichwaspreviouslyomittedbymeinconsequenceofitslength。Itsuniversalpopularity，however，andthefactthatitexhibitstheversatilityofGoethe’stalentstoagreaterextentthan，perhaps，anyotherofhispoeticalworks，seemtocallforitsadmissionintothepresentvolume。

OntheotherhandIhavenotthoughtitnecessarytoincludethesketchofGoethe’sLifethataccompaniedtheFirstEdition。

Atthetimeofitspublication，comparativelylittlewasknowninthiscountryoftheincidentsofhiscareer，andmysketchwasavowedlywrittenasatemporarystop-gap，asitwere，pendingtheproductionofsomeworkreallydeservingthetittleofalifeofGoethe。Nottomentionothercontributionstotheliteratureofthesubject，Mr。Lewis’simportantvolumesgivetheEnglishreaderalltheinformationheislikelytorequirerespectingGoethe’scareer，andmyshortmemoirappearedtobenolongerrequired。

IneedscarcelyaddthatIhaveavailedmyselfofthisopportunitytomakewhateverimprovementshavesuggestedthemselvestomeinmyoriginalversionofthesePoems。

E。A。B。

London，1874。

CONTENTS。

OriginalDedicationOriginalPrefacePrefacetotheSecondEditionListoftheprincipalWorksofGoetheAuthor’sDedicationSONGS

Sound，sweetSong，fromsomefarLandTothekindReaderTheNewAmadisWhentheFoxdies，hisSkincountsTheHeathroseBlindman’sBuffChristelTheCoyOneTheConvertPreservationTheMuses’SonFoundLikeandLikeReciprocalInvitationtotheDanceSelf-DeceitDeclarationofWarLoverinallShapesTheGoldsmith’sApprenticeAnswersinaGameofQuestionsDifferentEmotionsonthesameSpotWho’llbuyGodsoflove？

TheMisanthropeDifferentThreatsMaidenWishesMotivesTrueEnjoymentTheFarewellTheBeautifulNight。

HappinessandVisionLivingRemembranceTheBlissofAbsenceToLunaTheWeddingNightMischievousJoyApparentDeathNovemberSongTotheChosenOneFirstLossAfterSensationsProximityoftheBelovedOnePresenceTotheDistantOneBytheRiverFarewellTheExchangeWelcomeandFarewellNewLove，NewLifeToBelindaMaySongWithapaintedRibbonWithagoldenNecklaceOntheLakeFromtheMountainFlower-SaluteInSummerMaySongPrematureSpringAutumnFeelingsRestlessLoveTheShepherd’sLamentComfortinTearsNightSongLongingToMignonTheMountainCastleTheSpirit’sSaluteToaGoldenHeartthatheworeroundhisneckTheBlissofSorrowTheWanderer’sNight-songTheSameTheHunter’sEven-SongTotheMoonToLinaEverandEverywherePetitionTohisCoyOneNightThoughtsToLidaProximityReciprocalRollickingHansTheFreebooterJoyandSorrowMarchAprilMayJuneNextYear’sSpringAtMidnightHourTotherisingfullMoonTheBridegroomSuch，suchishewhopleasethmeSicilianSongSwissSongFinnishSongGipsySongTheDestructionofMagdeburgFAMILIARSONGS。

OntheNewYearAnniversarySongTheSpringOracleTheHappyCoupleSongofFellowshipConstancyinChangeTableSongWontandDoneGeneralConfessionCopticSongAnotherVanitas！vanitatumvanitas！

FortuneofWarOpenTableTheReckoningErgoBibamus！

EpiphaniasBALLADS。

MignonTheMinstrelBalladofthebanishedandreturningCountTheVioletTheFaithlessBoyTheErl-KingJohannaSebusTheFishermanTheKingofThuleTheBeauteousFlower……

SirCurt’sWeddingJourneyWeddingSongTheTreasure-diggerTheRat-catcherTheSpinnerBeforeaCourtofJusticeThePageandtheMiller’sDaughterTheYouthandtheMillstreamTheMaidoftheMill’sTreacheryTheMaidoftheMill’sRepentanceTheTravellerandtheFarm-MaidenEffectsatadistanceTheWalkingBellFaithfulEckartTheDanceofDeathThePupilinMagicTheBrideofCorinthTheGodandtheBayadereThePariahI。ThePariah’sPrayer。

II。LegendIII。ThePariah’sThanksDeath——lamentofthenobleWifeofAsanAgaCANTATAS。

IdyllRinaldoTheFirstWalpurgis-NightODES。

ThreeOdestomyFriendMahomet’sSongSpiritSongovertheWatersMyGoddessWinterJourneyovertheHartzMountainsToFatherKronos。WritteninaPost-chaiseTheWanderer’sStormSongTheSea-VoyageTheEagleandDovePrometheusGanymedeTheBoundariesofHumanityTheGodlikeMISCELLANEOUSPOEMS。

TheGermanParnassus。

Lily’sMenagerieToCharlotteLove’sDistressesTheMusagetesMorningLamentTheVisitTheMagicNetTheGobletTotheGrasshopper。AfterAnacreonFromtheSorrowsofYoungWertherTrilogyofPassion：？

I。ToWertherII。ElegyIII。AtonementTheRemembranceoftheGoodWhenIwasstillayouthfulWightForEverFromanAlbumof1604

LinesonseeingSchiller’sSkullRoyalPrayerHumanFeelingsOntheDivanHansSachs’PoeticalMissionSONNETS。

TheFriendlyMeetingInaWordTheMaidenSpeaksGrowthFoodinTravelDepartureTheLovingOneWrites。

TheLovingOneoncemoreSheCannotEndNemesisTheChristmasBoxTheWarningTheEpochsTheDoubtersandtheLoversCharadeEPIGRAMS。

ToOriginalsTheSoldier’sConsolationGenialImpulseNeitherthisnorthatThewaytobehaveThebestAsbroadasit’slongTheRuleofLifeThesame，expandedCalmatSeaTheProsperousVoyageCourageMyonlyPropertyAdmonitionOldAgeEpitaphRulesforMonarchsPaulopostfuturiTheFool’sEpiloguePARABLES。

JoyExplanationofanantiqueGemCat-PieLegendAuthorsTheCriticTheDilettanteandtheCriticTheWranglerTheYelpersTheStork’sVocationCelebrityPlayingatPriestsSongsPoetryAParableShoulde’erthelovelessdayremainAPlantheMusesentertainedTheDeathoftheFlyBytheRiverTheFoxandCraneTheFoxandHuntsmanTheFrogsTheWeddingBurialThreateningSignsTheBuyersTheMountainVillageSymbolsThreePalinodias：——

I。TheSmokethatfromthineAltarblows。

II。ConflictofWitandBeautyIII。RainandRainbow。

ValedictionTheCountrySchoolmasterTheLegendoftheHorseshoeASymbolART。

TheDropsofNectarTheWandererILoveasaLandscapePainterGOD，SOUL，ANDWORLD。

RhymedDistichsProoemionTheMetamorphosisofPlantsPROVERBS

TAMEXENIA

RELIGIONANDCHURCH。

ThoughtsonJesusChrist’sdescentintoHellANTIQUES。

Leopold，DukeofBrunswickTotheHusbandmanAnacreon’sGraveTheBrethrenMeasureofTimeWarningSolitudeTheChosenCliffTheConsecratedSpotTheInstructorsTheUnequalMarriage。

ExcuseSakontalaTheMuse’sMirrorPhoebusandHermesTheNewAmorTheGarlandsTheSwissAlpsDistichsVENETIANEPIGRAMS。

ELEGIES。

RomanElegiesAlexisandDoraHermannandDorotheaWEST-EASTERNDIVAN。

I。Minstrel’sBook：——

TalismansTheFourFavoursDiscordSongandStructureII。BookofHafis：——

TheUnlimitedToHafisIII。BookofLove：——

TheTypesOnePairMoreLove’sTormentsIV。BookofContemplation：——

FiveThingsForWomanFirdusiSuleikaV。BookofGloom：——

ItisaFaultVI。BookofProverbsVII。BookofTimur：——

TheWinterandTimurToSuleikaVIII。BookofSuleika：——

Suleika’sLoveHatemSuleikaLoveforLoveHatemTheLovingOnespeaksTheLovingOneagainThesetuftedBranchesfairSuleikaTheSublimeTypeSuleikaTheReunionSuleikaInthousandformsIX。TheConvivialBook：——

CantheKoranfromEternitybe？

Ye’veoftenforourDrunkennessX。BookofParables：——

FromHeaventherefelluponthefoamingwaveBulbul’sSongIntheKoranwithstrangedelight。

AllkindsofMen。

ItisgoodXI。BookoftheParsees：——

TheBequestoftheancientPersianfaithXII。BookofParadise：

ThePrivilegedMenThefavouredBeastsTheSevenSleepersSONGSFROMVARIOUSPLAYS，ETC。

FromFaust：——

DedicationPrologueinHeavenChorusofAngelsChorusofSpiritsMargaretatherSpinningWheelGardenSceneMargaret’sSongFromFaust腜artII。：——

Ariel’sSongandChorusofSpiritsScenethelastFromIphigeniainTauris：——

SongoftheFatesFromGotzvonBerlichingen：——

Liebetraut’sSongFromEgmont：——

ClaraandBrackenburg’sSongClara’sSongFromWilhelmMeister’sApprenticeship：——

WhonevereatwithtearshisbreadWhogiveshimselftoSolitudeMyGriefnoMortalsknowSingnomoreinmournfultonesEpiloguetoSchiller’sSongoftheBellL’ENVOI

THEPOEMSOFGOETHE。

DEDICATION。

Themornarrived。hisfootstepquicklyscaredThegentlesleepthatroundmysensesclung，AndI，awak’ning，frommycottagefared，Andupthemountainsidewithlightheartsprung。

AteverystepIfeltmygazeensnaredBynew-bornflow’rsthatfullofdew-dropshung。

Theyouthfuldayawokewithecstacy，Andallthingsquicken’dwere，toquickenme。

AndasImounted，fromthevalleyroseAstreakymist，thatupwardslowlyspread，Thenbent，asthoughmyformitwouldenclose，Then，asonpinions，soar’dabovemyhead：

Mygazecouldnowonnofairviewrepose，inmournfulveilconceal’d，theworldseem’ddead。

Thecloudssoonclosedaroundme，asatomb，AndIwasleftaloneintwilightgloom。

Atoncethesunhislustreseem’dtopour，Andthroughthemistwasseenaradiantlight。

Heresankitgentlytothegroundoncemore，Therepartedit，andclimb’do’erwoodandheight。

HowdidIyearntogreethimasofyore，Afterthedarknesswaxingdoublybright！

Theairyconflictofttimeswasrenew’d，ThenblindedbyadazzlingglowIstood。

ErelonganinwardimpulsepromptedmeAhastyglancewithboldnessroundtothrow。

Atfirstmineeyeshadscarcelystrengthtosee，Forallaroundappear’dtoburnandglow。

ThensawI，onthecloudsbornegracefully，Agodlikewomanhov’ringtoandfro。

InlifeIne’erhadseenaformsofair——

Shegazedatme，andstillshehover’dthere。

Dostthounotknowme？werethewordsshesaidIntoneswhereloveandfaithweresweetlybound。

KnowestthounotHerwhooftentimeshathshedThepurestbalsamineachearthlywound？

Thouknows’tmewell。thypantingheartIledTojoinmeinabondwithrapturecrown’d。

DidInotseethee，whenastripling，yearningTowelcomemewithtears，heartfeltandburning？

Yes！Iexclaim’d，whilst，overcomewithjoy，Isanktoearth。Ilonghaveworshipp’dthee。

Thougav’stmerest，whenpassionsrack’dtheboy，Pervadingev’rylimbunceasingly。

Thyheav’nlypinionsthoudidstthenemployThescorchingsunbeamstowardofffromme。

FromtheealoneEarth’sfairestgiftsIgain’d，Throughtheealone，trueblisscanbeobtain’d。

ThynameIknownot。yetIheartheenam’dBymanyaonewhoboaststheeashisown。

Eacheyebelievesthattow’rdthyform’tisaim’d，Yettomosteyesthyraysareanguish-sown。

Ah！whilstIerr’d，fullmanyafriendIclaim’d，NowthatIknowthee，Iamleftalone。

WithbutmyselfcanImyraptureshare，Ineedsmustveilandhidethyradiancefair。

Shesmiled，andansweringsaid：Thousee’sthowwise，Howprudent’twasbutlittletounveil！

Scarcefromtheclumsiestcheatareclear’dthineeyes，Scarcehastthoustrengththychildishbarstoscale，Whenthoudostrankthee’mongstthedeities，Andsoman’sdutiestoperformwould’stfail！

Howdostthoudifferfromallothermen？

Livewiththeworldinpeace，andknowtheethen！

Oh，pardonme，Icried，Imeantitwell：

Notvainlydid’stthoublessmineeyeswithlight。

Forinmybloodgladaspirationsswell，ThevalueofthygiftsIknowaright！

Thosetreasuresinmybreastforothersdwell，TheburiedpoundnomoreI’llhidefromsight。

WhydidIseektheroadsoanxiously，Ifhiddenfrommybrethren’tweretobe？

AndasIanswer’d，tow’rdmeturn’dherface，Withkindlysympathy，thatgod-likeone。

WithinhereyefullplainlycouldItraceWhatIhadfail’din，andwhatrightlydone。

Shesmiled，andcuredmewiththatsmile’ssweetgrace，Tonew-bornjoysmyspiritsoar’danon。

WithinwardconfidenceInowcoulddareTodrawyetcloser，andobserveherthere。

Throughthelightcloudshethenstretch’dforthherhand，Asiftobidthestreakyvapourfly：

Atonceitseemedtoyieldtohercommand，Contracted，andnomistthenmetmineeye。

Myglanceoncemoresurvey’dthesmilingland，Uncloudedandsereneappear’dthesky。

Noughtbutaveilofpurestwhitesheheld，Androundherinathousandfoldsitswell’d。

Iknowthee，andIknowthywav’ringwill。

Iknowthegoodthatlivesandglowsinthee！——

Thusspakeshe，andmethinksIhearherstill——

Theprizelongdestined，nowreceivefromme。

Thatblestonewillbesafefromev’ryill，Whotakesthisgiftwithsoulofpurity，——

TheveilofMinstrelsyfromTruth’sownhand，Ofsunlightandofmorn’ssweetfragranceplann’d。

Andwhenthouandthyfriendsatfiercenoon-dayAreparchedwithheat，straightcastitintheair！

ThenZephyr’scoolingbreathwillroundyouplay，Distillingbalmandflowers’sweetincensethere。

Thetonesofearthlywoewilldieaway，Thegravebecomeabedofcloudssofair，Tosingtorestlife’sbillowswillbeseen，Thedaybelovely，andthenightserene——

Come，then，myfriends！andwhensoe’eryefindUponyourwayincreaselife’sheavyload。

Ifbyfresh-waken’dblessingsflowersaretwin’dAroundyourpath，andgoldenfruitsbestow’d，We’llseekthecomingdaywithjoyousmind！

Thusblest，we’lllive，thuswanderonourroadAndwhenourgrandsonssorrowo’erourtomb，Ourlove，togladtheirbosoms，stillshallbloom。

SONGS——

Lateresoundstheearlystrain。

Wealandwoeinsongremain——

SOUND，SWEETSONG。

SOUND，sweetsong，fromsomefarland，Sighingsoftlycloseathand，Nowofjoy，andnowofwoe！

Starsarewonttoglimmerso。

Soonerthuswillgoodunfold。

ChildrenyoungandchildrenoldGladlyhearthynumbersflow。

1820。*——

*Inthecasesinwhichthedateismarkedthus(*)，itsignifiestheoriginaldateofpublication——theyearofcompositionnotbeingknown。Inothercases，thedategivenisthatoftheactualcomposition。AllthepoemsarearrangedintheorderoftherecognisedGermaneditions——

TOTHEKINDREADER。

NoonetalksmorethanaPoet。

Fainhe’dhavethepeopleknowit。

Praiseorblameheeverloves。

Noneinproseconfessanerror，Yetwedoso，voidofterror，IntheMuses’silentgroves。

WhatIerr’din，whatcorrected，WhatIsuffer’d，whateffected，Tothiswreathasflow’rsbelong。

Fortheaged，andtheyouthful，Andthevicious，andthetruthful，Allarefairwhenviewedinsong。

1800。*——

THENEWAMADIS。

INmyboyhood’sdayssodrearIwaskeptconfined。

ThereIsatformanyayear，AllaloneIpined，Aswithinthewomb。

Yetthoudrov’stawaymygloom，Goldenphantasy！

Ibecameaherotrue，LikethePrincePipi，Andtheworldroam’dthrough，Manyacrystalpalacebuilt，Crush’dthemwithlikeart，AndtheDragon’slife-bloodspiltWithmyglitt’ringdart。

Yes！Iwasaman！

NextIformedtheknightlyplanPrincessFishtofree。

Shewasmuchtoocomplaisant，Kindlywelcomedme，——

AndIwasgallant。

Heav’nlybreadherkissesproved，Glowingasthewine。

AlmostuntodeathIloved。

Sun-sappearedtoshineInherdazzlingcharms。

Whohathtornherfromminearms？

CouldnomagicbandMakeherinherflightdelay？

Say，wherenowherland？

Where，alas，theway？

1775。*——

WHENTHEFOXDIES，HISSKINCOUNTS。*

(*Thenameofagame，knowninEnglishasJack’salight。)

WEyoungpeopleintheshadeSatonesultryday。

Cupidcame，andDiestheFox

Withussoughttoplay。

EachoneofmyfriendsthensatByhismistressdear。

Cupid，blowingoutthetorch，Said：Thetaper’shere！

ThenwequicklysentaroundTheexpiringbrand。

Eachoneputithastilylnhisneighbour’shand。

Dorilisthengaveitme，Withascoffingjest。

Suddenintoflameitbroke，Bymyfingerspress’d。

Anditsingedmyeyesandface，Setmybreastonfire。

ThenabovemyheadtheblazeMountedeverhigher。

VainIsoughttoputitout。

Everburnedtheflame。

Steadofdying，soontheFoxLivelierstillbecame。

1770——

THEHEATHROSE。

ONCEaboyaRosebudspied，Heathrosefairandtender，Allarray’dinyouthfulpride，——

Quicklytothespothehied，Ravishedbyhersplendour。

Rosebud，rosebud，rosebudred，Heathrosefairandtender！

Saidtheboy，I’llnowpickthee，Heathrosefairandtender！

Saidtherosebud，I’llprickthee，Sothatthou’ltrememberme，Ne’erwillIsurrender！

Rosebud，rosebud，rosebudred，Heathrosefairandtender！

NowthecruelboymustpickHeathrosefairandtender。

Rosebuddidherbesttoprick，——

Vain’twas’gainstherfatetokick——

Shemustneedssurrender。

Rosebud，rosebud，rosebudred，Heathrosefairandtender！

1779。*——

BLINDMAN’SBUFF。

OH，myTheresadear！

Thineeyes，Igreatlyfear，Canthroughthebandagesee！

Althoughthineeyesarebound，BytheeI’mquicklyfound，Andwhereforeshouldstthoucatchbutme？

Erelongthouheld’stmefast，Witharmsaroundmecast，UponthybreastIfell。

Scarcewasthybandagegone，Whenallmyjoywasflown，Thoucoldlydidsttheblindrepel。

Hegropedonev’ryside，Hislimbshesorelytried，Whilescoffsaroseallround。

Ifthounolovewiltgive，InsadnessIshalllive，Asifmineeyesremain’dstillbound。

1770——

CHRISTEL。

Mysensesofttimesareoppress’d，Oftstagnantismyblood。

ButwhenbyChristel’ssightI’mblest，Ifeelmystrengthrenew’d。

Iseeherhere，Iseeherthere，AndreallycannottellThemannerhow，thewhen，thewhere，ThewhyIloveherwell。

IfwiththemerestglanceIviewHerblackandroguisheyes，Andgazeonherblackeyebrowstoo，Myspiritupwardflies。

Hasanyoneamouthsosweet，Suchlove-roundcheeksasshe？

Ah，whentheeyeherbeautiesmeet，Itne’ercontentcanbe。

AndwheninairyGermandanceIclaspherformdivine，Soquickwewhirl，soquickadvance，Whatrapturethenlikemine！

Andwhenshe’sgiddy，andfeelswarm，Icradleher，poorthing，Uponmybreast，andinminearm，——

I’mthenaveryking！

Andwhenshelookswithloveonme，Forgettingallbutthis，Whenpress’dagainstmybosom，sheExchangeskissforkiss，Allthroughmymarrowrunsathrill，Runse’enmyfootalong！

Ifeelsowell，Ifeelsoill，Ifeelsoweak，sostrong！

Wouldthatsuchmomentsne’erwouldend！

Thedayne’erlongIfind。

CouldIthenighttoowithherspend，E’enthatIshouldnotmind。

Ifshewereinminearmsbutheld，Toquenchlove’sthirstI’dtry。

Andcouldmytormentsnotbequell’d，Uponherbreastwoulddie。

1776。*——

THECOYONE。

ONESpring-morningbrightandfair，Roam’dashepherdessandsang。

Youngandbeauteous，freefromcare，Throughthefieldsherclearnotesrang：

So，Ia，Ia！leralla，&c。

OfhislambssometwoorthreeThyrsisoffer’dforakiss。

Firstsheeyedhimroguishly，Thenforanswersangbutthis：

So，Ia，Ia！leralla，&c。

Ribbonsdidthenextoneoffer，Andthethird，hisheartsotrueBut，aswiththelambs，thescofferLaugh’datheartandribbonstoo，——

Still’twasIa！leralla，&c。

1791——

THECONVERT。

AsatsunsetIwasstrayingSilentlythewoodalong，Damononhisflutewasplaying，Andtherocksgavebackthesong，Sola，Ia！&c。

Softlytow’rdshimthenhedrewme。

Sweeteachkisshegavemethen！

AndIsaid，Playoncemoretome！

Andhekindlyplay’dagain，Sola，la！&c。

Allmypeaceforayehasfleeted，Allmyhappinesshasflown。

YetmyearsareevergreetedWiththatolden，blissfultone，Sola，la！&c。

1791——

PRESERVATION。

Mymaidensheprovedfalsetome。

TohatealljoysIsoonbegan，ThentoaflowingstreamIran，——

Thestreamranpastmehastily。

TherestoodIfix’d，inmutedespair。

Myheadswamroundasinadream。

Iwell-nighfellintothestream，Andearthseem’dwithmewhirlingthere。

SuddenIheardavoicethatcried——

Ihadjustturn’dmyfacefromthence——

Itwasavoicetocharmeachsense：

Beware，fordeepisyondertide！

Athrillmybloodpervadednow，Ilook’dandsawabeauteousmaidIaskedhername——twasKate，shesaid——

OhlovelyKate！howkindartthou！

FromdeathIhavebeensav’dbythee，’TisthroughtheeonlythatIlive。

Little’twerelifealonetogive，Myjoyinlifethendeigntobe！

AndthenItoldmysorrowso’er，Hereyestoearthshesweetlythrew。

Ikiss’dher，andshekiss’dmetoo，And——thenItalkedofdeathnomore。

1775。*——

THEMUSES’SON。

[GoethequotesthebeginningofthissonginhisAutobiography，asexpressingthemannerinwhichhispoeticaleffusionsusedtopouroutfromhim。]

THROUGHfieldandwoodtostray，Andpipemytunefullay，——

’Tisthusmydaysarepass’d。

Andallkeeptunewithme，Andmoveinharmony，Andsoon，tothelast。

TowaitIscarcehavepowerThegarden’searliestflower，Thetree’sfirstbloominSpring。

Theyhailmyjoyousstrain，——

WhenWintercomesagain，OfthatsweetdreamIsing。

Mysongsoundsfarandnear，O’ericeitechoesclear，ThenWinterblossomsbright。

Andwhenhisblossomsfly，Freshrapturesmeetmineeye，Uponthewell-till’dheight。

When’neaththelindentree，YoungfolksIchancetosee，Isetthemmovingsoon。

Hisnosethedullladcurls，Theformalmaidenwhirls，Obedienttomytune。

Wingstothefeetyelend，O’erhillandvaleyesendTheloverfarfromhome。

WhenshallI，onyourbreast，。

Yekindlymuses，rest，Andceaseatlengthtoroam？

1800。*——

FOUND。

ONCEthroughtheforestAloneIwent。

ToseekfornothingMythoughtswerebent。

Isawi’theshadowAflowerstandthereAsstarsitglisten’d，Aseyes’twasfair。

Isoughttopluckit，——

Itgentlysaid：

ShallIbegather’dOnlytofade？

WithallitsrootsIdugitwithcare，AndtookithomeTomygardenfair。

InsilentcornerSoonitwasset。

Theregrowsitever，Therebloomsityet。

1815。*——

LIKEANDLIKE。

AFAIRbell-flowerSprangtipfromtheground。

AndearlyitsfragranceItshedallaround。

AbeecamethitherAndsipp’dfromitsbell。

ThattheyforeachotherWeremade，weseewell。

1814——

RECIPROCALINVITATIONTOTHEDANCE。

THEINDIFFERENT。

COMEtothedancewithme，comewithme，fairone！

Dancesafeast-daylikethismaywellcrown。

Ifthoumysweetheartartnot，thoucanstbeso，Butifthouwiltnot，westillwilldanceon。

Cometothedancewithme，comewithme，fairone！

Dancesafeast-daylikethismaywellcrown。

THETENDER。

Lovedone，withoutthee，whatthenwouldallfeastbe？

Sweetone，withoutthee，whatthenwerethedance？

Ifthoumysweetheartwertnot，Iwoulddancenot。

Ifthouartstillso，alllifeisonefeast。

Lovedone，withoutthee，whatthenwouldallfeastsbe？

Sweetone，withoutthee，whatthenwerethedance？

THEINDIFFERENT。

Letthembutlove，then，andleaveusthedancing！

Languishinglovecannotbearthegladdance。

Letuswhirlroundinthewaltz’sgaymeasure，Andletthemstealtothedim-lightedwood。

Letthembutlove，then，andleaveusthedancing！

Languishinglovecannotbearthegladdance。

THETENDER。

Letthemwhirlround，then，andleaveustowander！

Wand’ringtoloveisaheavenlydance。

Cupid，thenearone，o’erhearstheirderiding，Vengeancetakessuddenly，vengeancetakessoon。

Letthemwhirlround，then，andleaveustowander！

Wand’ringtoloveisaheavenlydance。

1789。*——

SELF-DECEIT。

Myneighbour’scurtain，wellIsee，Ismovingtoandfin。

Nodoubtshe’slist’ningeagerly，IfI’mathomeorno。

AndifthejealousgrudgeIboreAndopenlyconfess’d，Isnourish’dbymeasbefore，Withinmyinmostbreast。

Alas！nofanciessuchastheseE’ercross’dthedearchild’sthoughts。

Isee’tisbuttheev’ningbreezeThatwiththecurtainsports。

1803——

DECLARATIONOFWAR。

OH，wouldIresembledThecountrygirlsfair，Whorosy-redribbonsAndyellowhatswear！

TobelieveIwasprettyIthoughtwasallow’d。

InthetownIbelieveditWhenbytheyouthvow’d。

NowthatSpringhathreturn’d，Allmyjoysdisappear。

ThegirlsofthecountryHaveluredhimfromhere。

Tochangedressandfigure，WasneedfulIfound，Mybodiceislonger，Mypetticoatround。

Myhatnowisyellow。

Mybodicelikesnow。

TheclovertosickleWithothersIgo。

Somethingpretty，e’erlongMidstthetroopheexplores。

TheeagerboysignsmeTogowithindoors。

Ibashfullygo，——

WhoIam，hecan’ttrace。

Hepinchesmycheeks，Andhelooksinmyface。

ThetowngirlnowthreatensYoumaidenswithwar。

Hertwofoldcharmspledges。

Ofvictoryare。

1803——

LOVERINALLSHAPES。

Tobelikeafish，Briskandquick，ismywish。

Ifthoucam’stwiththyline。

Thouwouldstsoonmakemethine。

Tobelikeafish，Briskandquick，ismywish。

Oh，wereIasteed！

Thouwouldstlovemeindeed。

Oh，wereIacarFittobeartheeafar！

Oh，wereIasteed！

Thouwouldstlovemeindeed。

IwouldIweregoldThatthyfingersmighthold！

Ifthouboughtestaughtthen，I’dreturnsoonagain。

IwouldIweregoldThatthyfingersmighthold！

IwouldIweretrue，Andmysweetheartstillnew！

TobefaithfulI’dswear，Andwouldgoawayne’er。

IwouldIweretrue，Andmysweetheartstillnew！

IwouldIwereold，Andwrinkledandcold，Sothatifthousaid’stNo，Icouldstandsuchablow！

IwouldIwereold，Andwrinkledandcold。

AnapeIwouldbe，Fullofmischievousglee。

Ifaughtcametovexthee，I’dplagueandperplexthee。

AnapeIwouldbe，FullofmischievousgleeAsalambI’dbehave，Asalionbebrave，Asalynxclearlysee，Asafoxcunningbe。

AsalambI’dbehave，Asalionbebrave。

WhateverIwere，AllontheeI’dconfer。

WiththegiftsofaprinceMyaffectionevince。

WhateverIwere，AllontheeI’dconfer。

Asnoughtdiff’rentcanmakeme，AsIamthoumusttakeme！

IfI’mnotgoodenough，Thoumustcutthineownstuff。

Asnoughtdiff’rentcanmakeme，AsIamthoumusttakeme！

1815。*