The Poems of Goethe - BestLightNovel.com
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----- AS BROAD AS IT'S LONG.
MODEST men must needs endure,
And the bold must humbly bow; Thus thy fate's the same, be sure,
Whether bold or modest thou.
1815.*
----- THE RULE OF LIFE.
IF thou wouldst live unruffled by care, Let not the past torment thee e'er; As little as possible be thou annoy'd, And let the present be ever enjoy'd; Ne'er let thy breast with hate be supplied, And to G.o.d the future confide.
1815.*
----- THE SAME, EXPANDED.
IF thou wouldst live unruffled by care, Let not the past torment thee e'er; If any loss thou hast to rue, Act as though thou wert born anew; Inquire the meaning of each day, What each day means itself will say; In thine own actions take thy pleasure, What others do, thou'lt duly treasure; Ne'er let thy breast with hate be supplied, And to G.o.d the future confide.
IF wealth is gone--then something is gone!
Quick, make up thy mind,
And fresh wealth find.
If honour is gone--then much is gone!
Seek glory to find,
And people then will alter their mind.
If courage is gone--then all is gone!
'Twere better that thou hadst never been born.
HE who with life makes sport,
Can prosper never; Who rules himself in nought,
Is a slave ever.
MAY each honest effort be
Crown'd with lasting constancy.
EACH road to the proper end Runs straight on, without a bend.
1825.
----- CALM AT SEA.
SILENCE deep rules o'er the waters,
Calmly slumb'ring lies the main, While the sailor views with trouble
Nought but one vast level plain.
Not a zephyr is in motion!
Silence fearful as the grave!
In the mighty waste of ocean
Sunk to rest is ev'ry wave.
1795.
----- THE PROSPEROUS VOYAGE.
THE mist is fast clearing.
And radiant is heaven, Whilst AEolus loosens Our anguish-fraught bond.
The zephyrs are sighing, Alert is the sailor.
Quick! nimbly be plying!
The billows are riven, The distance approaches; I see land beyond!
1795.
----- COURAGE.
CARELESSLY over the plain away, Where by the boldest man no path Cut before thee thou canst discern, Make for thyself a path!
Silence, loved one, my heart!
Cracking, let it not break!
Breaking, break not with thee!
1776.*
----- MY ONLY PROPERTY.
I FEEL that I'm possess'd of nought, Saving the free unfetterd thought
Which from my bosom seeks to flow, And each propitious pa.s.sing hour That suffers me in all its power
A loving fate with truth to know.
1814.
----- ADMONITION.
WHEREFORE ever ramble on?
For the Good is lying near, Fortune learn to seize alone,
For that Fortune's ever here.
