The Poems of Goethe Part 15

No maiden in her beauty's glow!

My love alone was then your theme,

But now she scorns my pa.s.sion 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