POEMS
OF
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
BOOK III
Book I | Book II | Book III | Book IV
THE SHEPHERD'S LAMENT
1 On yonder lofty mountain
2 A thousand times I stand, And on my staff reclining,
3 Look down on the smiling land.
4 My grazing flocks then I follow,
5 My dog protecting them well; I find myself in the valley,
6 But how, I scarcely can tell.
7 The whole of the meadow is cover'd
8 With flowers of beauty rare; I pluck them, but pluck them unknowing
9 To whom the offering to bear.
10 In rain and storm and tempest,
11 I tarry beneath the tree, But closed remaineth yon portal;
12 'Tis all but a vision to me.
13 High over yonder dwelling,
14 There rises a rainbow gay; But she from home hath departed
15 And wander'd far, far away.
16 Yes, far away bath she wander'd,
17 Perchance e'en over the sea; Move onward, ye sheep, then, move onward!
18 Full sad the shepherd must be.
COMFORT IN TEARS.
19 How happens it that thou art sad,
20 While happy all appear? Thine eye proclaims too well that thou
21 Hast wept full many a tear.
22 "If I have wept in solitude,
23 None other shares my grief, And tears to me sweet balsam are,
24 And give my heart relief."
25 Thy happy friends invite thee now,--
26 Oh come, then, to our breast! And let the loss thou hast sustain'd
27 Be there to us confess'd!
28 "Ye shout, torment me, knowing not
29 What 'tis afflicteth me; Ah no! I have sustained no loss,
30 Whate'er may wanting be."
31 If so it is, arise in haste!
32 Thou'rt young and full of life. At years like thine, man's blest with strength.
33 And courage for the strife.
34 "Ah no! in vain 'twould be to strive,
35 The thing I seek is far; It dwells as high, it gleams as fair
36 As yonder glitt'ring star."
37 The stars we never long to clasp,
38 We revel in their light, And with enchantment upward gaze,
39 Each clear and radiant night.
40 "And I with rapture upward gaze,
41 On many a blissful day; Then let me pass the night in tears,
42 Till tears are wip'd away!
NIGHT SONG,
43 When on thy pillow lying,
44 Half listen, I implore, And at my lute's soft sighing,
45 Sleep on! what wouldst thou more?
46 For at my lute's soft sighing
47 The stars their blessings pour On feelings never-dying;
48 Sleep on! what wouldst thou more?
49 Those feelings never-dying
50 My spirit aid to soar From earthly conflicts trying;
51 Sleep on! what wouldst thou more?
52 From earthly conflicts trying
53 Thou driv'st me to this shore; Through thee I'm thither flying,--
54 Sleep on! what wouldst thou more?
55 Through thee I'm hither flying,
56 Thou wilt not list before In slumbers thou art lying:
57 Sleep on! what wouldst thou more?
LONGING.
58 What pulls at my heart so?
59 What tells me to roam? What drags me and lures me
60 From chamber and home? How round the cliffs gather
61 The clouds high in air! I fain would go thither,
62 I fain would be there!
63 The sociable flight
64 Of the ravens comes back; I mingle amongst them,
65 And follow their track. Round wall and round mountain
66 Together we fly; She tarries below there,
67 I after her spy.
68 Then onward she wanders,
69 My flight I wing soon To the wood fill'd with bushes,
70 A bird of sweet tune. She tarries and hearkens,
71 And smiling, thinks she: "How sweetly he's singing!
72 He's singing to me!"
73 The heights are illum'd
74 By the fast setting sun; The pensive fair maiden
75 Looks thoughtfully on; She roams by the streamlet,
76 O'er meadows she goes, And darker and darker
77 The pathway fast grows.
78 I rise on a sudden,
79 A glimmering star; "What glitters above me,
80 So near and so far?"
81 And when thou with wonder
82 Hast gazed on the light, I fall down before thee,
83 Entranced by thy sight!
TO MIGNON.
84 Over vale and torrent far Rolls along the sun's bright car. Ah! he wakens in his course
85 Mine, as thy deep-seated smart
86 In the heart. Ev'ry morning with new force.
87 Scarce avails night aught to me; E'en the visions that I see Come but in a mournful guise;
88 And I feel this silent smart
89 In my heart With creative pow'r arise.
90 During many a beauteous year I have seen ships 'neath me steer, As they seek the shelt'ring bay;
91 But, alas, each lasting smart
92 In my heart Floats not with the stream away.
93 I must wear a gala dress, Long stored up within my press, For to-day to feasts is given;
94 None know with what bitter smart
95 Is my heart Fearfully and madly riven.
96 Secretly I weep each tear, Yet can cheerful e'en appear, With a face of healthy red;
97 For if deadly were this silent smart
98 In my heart, Ah, I then had long been dead! ----- THE MOUNTAIN CASTLE.
99 THERE stands on yonder high mountain
100 A castle built of yore, Where once lurked horse and horseman
101 In rear of gate and of door.
102 Now door and gate are in ashes,
103 And all around is so still; And over the fallen ruins
104 I clamber just as I will.
105 Below once lay a cellar,
106 With costly wines well stor'd; No more the glad maid with her pitcher
107 Descends there to draw from the hoard.
108 No longer the goblet she places
109 Before the guests at the feast; The flask at the meal so hallow'd
110 No longer she fills for the priest.
111 No more for the eager squire
112 The draught in the passage is pour'd; No more for the flying present
113 Receives she the flying reward.
114 For all the roof and the rafters,
115 They all long since have been burn'd, And stairs and passage and chapel
116 To rubbish and ruins are turn'd.
117 Yet when with lute and with flagon,
118 When day was smiling and bright, I've watch'd my mistress climbing
119 To gain this perilous height,
120 Then rapture joyous and radiant
121 The silence so desolate brake, And all, as in days long vanish'd,
122 Once more to enjoyment awoke;
123 As if for guests of high station
124 The largest rooms were prepared; As if from those times so precious
125 A couple thither had fared;
126 As if there stood in his chapel
127 The priest in his sacred dress, And ask'd: "Would ye twain be united?"
128 And we, with a smile, answer'd, "Yes!"
129 And songs that breath'd a deep feeling,
130 That touched the heart's innermost chord, The music-fraught mouth of sweet echo,
131 Instead of the many, outpour'd.
132 And when at eve all was hidden
133 In silence unbroken and deep, The glowing sun then look'd upwards,
134 And gazed on the summit so steep.
135 And squire and maiden then glitter'd
136 As bright and gay as a lord, She seized the time for her present,
137 And he to give her reward.
THE SPIRIT'S SALUTE.
138 The hero's noble shade stands high
139 On yonder turret grey; And as the ship is sailing by,
140 He speeds it on his way.
141 "See with what strength these sinews thrill'd!
142 This heart, how firm and wild! These bones, what knightly marrow fill'd!
143 This cup, how bright it smil'd!
144 "Half of my life I strove and fought,
145 And half I calmly pass'd; And thou, oh ship with beings fraught,
146 Sail safely to the last!"
TO A GOLDEN HEART THAT HE WORE ROUND HIS NECK.
[Addressed, during the Swiss tour already mentioned, to a present Lily had given him, during the time of their happy connection, which was then about to be terminated for ever.]
147 Oh thou token loved of joys now perish'd
148 That I still wear from my neck suspended, Art thou stronger than our spirit-bond so cherish'd?
149 Or canst thou prolong love's days untimely ended?
150 Lily, I fly from thee! I still am doom'd to range Thro' countries strange,
151 Thro' distant vales and woods, link'd on to thee! Ah, Lily's heart could surely never fall
152 So soon away from me!
153 As when a bird bath broken from his thrall,
154 And seeks the forest green, Proof of imprisonment he bears behind him, A morsel of the thread once used to bind him;
155 The free-born bird of old no more is seen,
156 For he another's prey bath been.
THE BLISS OF SORROW.
157 Never dry, never dry,
158 Tears that eternal love sheddeth! How dreary, how dead doth the world still appear, When only half-dried on the eye is the tear!
159 Never dry, never dry,
160 Tears that unhappy love sheddeth!
THE WANDERER'S NIGHT-SONG.
161 Thou who comest from on high,
162 Who all woes and sorrows stillest, Who, for twofold misery,
163 Hearts with twofold balsam fillest, Would this constant strife would cease!
164 What are pain and rapture now? Blissful Peace,
165 To my bosom hasten thou!
THE SAME.
[Written at night on the Kickelhahn, a hill in the forest of Ilmenau, on the walls of a little hermitage where Goethe composed the last act of his Iphigenia.]
166 Hush'd on the hill
167 Is the breeze;
168 Scarce by the zephyr
169 The trees
170 Softly are press'd; The woodbird's asleep on the bough. Wait, then, and thou
171 Soon wilt find rest.
THE HUNTER'S EVEN-SONG.
172 The plain with still and wand'ring feet,
173 And gun full-charged, I tread, And hov'ring see thine image sweet,
174 Thine image dear, o'er head.
175 In gentle silence thou dost fare
176 Through field and valley dear; But doth my fleeting image ne'er
177 To thy mind's eye appear?
178 His image, who, by grief oppress'd,
179 Roams through the world forlorn, And wanders on from east to west,
180 Because from thee he's torn?
181 When I would think of none but thee,
182 Mine eyes the moon survey; A calm repose then steals o'er me,
183 But how, 'twere hard to say.
TO THE MOON.
184 Bush and vale thou fill'st again
185 With thy misty ray, And my spirit's heavy chain
186 Castest far away.
187 Thou dost o'er my fields extend
188 Thy sweet soothing eye, Watching like a gentle friend,
189 O'er my destiny.
190 Vanish'd days of bliss and woe
191 Haunt me with their tone, Joy and grief in turns I know,
192 As I stray alone.
193 Stream beloved, flow on! flow on!
194 Ne'er can I be gay! Thus have sport and kisses gone,
195 Truth thus pass'd away.
196 Once I seem'd the lord to be
197 Of that prize so fair! Now, to our deep sorrow, we
198 Can forget it ne'er.
199 Murmur, stream, the vale along,
200 Never cease thy sighs; Murmur, whisper to my song
201 Answering melodies!
202 When thou in the winter's night
203 Overflow'st in wrath, Or in spring-time sparklest bright,
204 As the buds shoot forth.
205 He who from the world retires,
206 Void of hate, is blest; Who a friend's true love inspires,
207 Leaning on his breast!
208 That which heedless man ne'er knew,
209 Or ne'er thought aright, Roams the bosom's labyrinth through,
210 Boldly into night.
TO LINA.
211 Should these songs, love, as they fleet,
212 Chance again to reach thy hand, At the piano take thy seat,
213 Where thy friend was wont to stand!
214 Sweep with finger bold the string,
215 Then the book one moment see: But read not! do nought but sing!
216 And each page thine own will be!
217 Ah, what grief the song imparts
218 With its letters, black on white, That, when breath'd by thee, our hearts
219 Now can break and now delight!
EVER AND EVERYWHERE.
220 Far explore the mountain hollow, High in air the clouds then follow!
221 To each brook and vale the Muse
222 Thousand times her call renews.
223 Soon as a flow'ret blooms in spring, It wakens many a strain;
224 And when Time spreads his fleeting wing,
225 The seasons come again.
PETITION.
226 Oh thou sweet maiden fair, Thou with the raven hair,
227 Why to the window go?
228 While gazing down below, Art standing vainly there?
229 Oh, if thou stood'st for me, And lett'st the latch but fly,
230 How happy should I be! How soon would I leap high!
TO HIS COY ONE.
231 Seest thou yon smiling Orange? Upon the tree still hangs it; Already March bath vanish'd, And new-born flow'rs are shooting. I draw nigh to the tree then, And there I say: Oh Orange, Thou ripe and juicy Orange, Thou sweet and luscious Orange, I shake the tree, I shake it, Oh fall into my lap!
NIGHT THOUGHTS.
232 Oh, unhappy stars! your fate I mourn,
233 Ye by whom the sea-toss'd sailor's lighted, Who with radiant beams the heav'ns adorn,
234 But by gods and men are unrequited: For ye love not,--ne'er have learnt to love! Ceaselessly in endless dance ye move, In the spacious sky your charms displaying,
235 What far travels ye have hasten'd through, Since, within my loved one's arms delaying,
236 I've forgotten you and midnight too!
TO LIDA.
237 The only one whom, Lida, thou canst love,
238 Thou claim'st, and rightly claim'st, for only thee; He too is wholly thine; since doomed to rove
239 Far from thee, in life's turmoils nought I see Save a thin veil, through which thy form I view, As though in clouds; with kindly smile and true,
240 It cheers me, like the stars eterne that gleam Across the northern-lights' far-flick'ring beam.
PROXIMITY.
242 I know not, wherefore, dearest love,
243 Thou often art so strange and coy When 'mongst man's busy haunts we move,
244 Thy coldness puts to flight my joy. But soon as night and silence round us reign, I know thee by thy kisses sweet again!
RECIPROCAL.
245 My mistress, where sits she?
246 What is it that charms? The absent she's rocking,
247 Held fast in her arms.
248 In pretty cage prison'd
249 She holds a bird still; Yet lets him fly from her,
250 Whenever he will.
251 He pecks at her finger,
252 And pecks at her lips, And hovers and flutters,
253 And round her he skips.
254 Then hasten thou homeward,
255 In fashion to be; If thou hast the maiden,
256 She also hath thee.
ROLLICKING HANS.
257 Hallo there! A glass!
258 Ha! the draught's truly sweet! If for drink go my shoes,
259 I shall still have my feet.
260 A maiden and wine,
261 With sweet music and song,-- I would they were mine,
262 All life's journey along!
263 If I depart from this sad sphere, And leave a will behind me here, A suit at law will be preferr'd, But as for thanks,--the deuce a word! So ere I die, I squander all, And that a proper will I call.
HIS COMRADE.
264 Hallo there! A glass!
265 Ha! the draught's truly sweet If thou keepest thy shoes,
266 Thou wilt then spare thy feet.
267 A maiden and wine,
268 With sweet music and song, On pavement, are thine,
269 All life's journey along! ----- THE FREEBOOTER,
270 No door has my house,
271 No house has my door; And in and out ever
272 I carry my store.
273 No grate has my kitchen,
274 No kitchen my grate; Yet roasts it and boils it
275 Both early and late.
276 My bed has no trestles,
277 My trestles no bed; Yet merrier moments
278 No mortal e'er led.
279 My cellar is lofty,
280 My barn is full deep, From top to the bottom,--
281 There lie I and sleep.
282 And soon as I waken,
283 All moves on its race; My place has no fixture,
284 My fixture no place.
JOY AND SORROW.
285 As a fisher-boy I fared
286 To the black rock in the sea, And, while false gifts I prepared.
287 Listen'd and sang merrily, Down descended the decoy,
288 Soon a fish attack'd the bait; One exultant shout of joy,--
289 And the fish was captured straight.
290 Ah! on shore, and to the wood
291 Past the cliffs, o'er stock and stone, One foot's traces I pursued,
292 And the maiden was alone. Lips were silent, eyes downcast
293 As a clasp-knife snaps the bait, With her snare she seized me fast,
294 And the boy was captured straight.
295 Heav'n knows who's the happy swain
296 That she rambles with anew! I must dare the sea again,
297 Spite of wind and weather too. When the great and little fish
298 Wail and flounder in my net, Straight returns my eager wish
299 In her arms to revel yet!
MARCH.
300 The snow-flakes fall in showers,
301 The time is absent still, When all Spring's beauteous flowers, When all Spring's beauteous flowers
302 Our hearts with joy shall fill.
303 With lustre false and fleeting
304 The sun's bright rays are thrown; The swallow's self is cheating: The swallow's self is cheating,
305 And why? He comes alone!
306 Can I e'er feel delighted
307 Alone, though Spring is near? Yet when we are united, Yet when we are united,
308 The Summer will be here.
APRIL.
309 Tell me, eyes, what 'tis ye're seeking;
310 For ye're saying something sweet,
311 Fit the ravish'd ear to greet, Eloquently, softly speaking.
312 Yet I see now why ye're roving;
313 For behind those eyes so bright,
314 To itself abandon'd quite, Lies a bosom, truthful, loving,--
315 One that it must fill with pleasure
316 'Mongst so many, dull and blind,
317 One true look at length to find, That its worth can rightly treasure.
318 Whilst I'm lost in studying ever
319 To explain these cyphers duly,--
320 To unravel my looks truly In return be your endeavour!
MAY.
321 Light and silv'ry cloudlets hover
322 In the air, as yet scarce warm; Mild, with glimmer soft tinged over,
323 Peeps the sun through fragrant balm. Gently rolls and heaves the ocean
324 As its waves the bank o'erflow. And with ever restless motion
325 Moves the verdure to and fro,
326 Mirror'd brightly far below.
327 What is now the foliage moving?
328 Air is still, and hush'd the breeze, Sultriness, this fullness loving,
329 Through the thicket, from the trees. Now the eye at once gleams brightly,
330 See! the infant band with mirth Moves and dances nimbly, lightly,
331 As the morning gave it birth,
332 Flutt'ring two and two o'er earth.
JUNE.
333 She behind yon mountain lives, Who my love's sweet guerdon gives. Tell me, mount, how this can be! Very glass thou seem'st to me, And I seem to be close by, For I see her drawing nigh; Now, because I'm absent, sad, Now, because she sees me, glad!
334 Soon between us rise to sight Valleys cool, with bushes light, Streams and meadows; next appear
335 Mills and wheels, the surest token That a level spot is near,
336 Plains far-stretching and unbroken. And so onwards, onwards roam, To my garden and my home!
337 But how comes it then to pass? All this gives no joy, alas!-- I was ravish'd by her sight, By her eyes so fair and bright, By her footstep soft and light. How her peerless charms I praised, When from head to foot I gazed! I am here, she's far away,-- I am gone, with her to stay.
337 If on rugged hills she wander,
338 If she haste the vale along, Pinions seem to flutter yonder,
339 And the air is fill'd with song; With the glow of youth still playing,
340 Joyous vigour in each limb, One in silence is delaying,
341 She alone 'tis blesses him.
342 Love, thou art too fair, I ween! Fairer I have never seen! From the heart full easily Blooming flowers are cull'd by thee. If I think: "Oh, were it so," Bone and marrow seen to glow! If rewarded by her love, Can I greater rapture prove?
343 And still fairer is the bride, When in me she will confide, When she speaks and lets me know All her tale of joy and woe. All her lifetime's history Now is fully known to me. Who in child or woman e'er Soul and body found so fair?
NEXT YEAR'S SPRING.
344 The bed of flowers
345 Loosens amain, The beauteous snowdrops
346 Droop o'er the plain. The crocus opens
347 Its glowing bud, Like emeralds others,
348 Others, like blood. With saucy gesture
349 Primroses flare, And roguish violets,
350 Hidden with care; And whatsoever
351 There stirs and strives, The Spring's contented,
352 If works and thrives.
353 'Mongst all the blossoms
354 That fairest are, My sweetheart's sweetness
355 Is sweetest far; Upon me ever
356 Her glances light, My song they waken,
357 My words make bright, An ever open
358 And blooming mind, In sport, unsullied,
359 In earnest, kind. Though roses and lilies
360 By Summer are brought, Against my sweetheart
361 Prevails he nought.
AT MIDNIGHT HOUR.
[Goethe relates that a remarkable situation he was in one bright moonlight night led to the composition of this sweet song, which was "the dearer to him because he could not say whence it came and whither it would."]
362 At midnight hour I went, not willingly,
363 A little, little boy, yon churchyard past, To Father Vicar's house; the stars on high
364 On all around their beauteous radiance cast,
365 At midnight hour.
366 And when, in journeying o'er the path of life,
367 My love I follow'd, as she onward moved, With stars and northern lights o'er head in strife,
368 Going and coming, perfect bliss I proved
369 At midnight hour.
370 Until at length the full moon, lustre-fraught,
371 Burst thro' the gloom wherein she was enshrined; And then the willing, active, rapid thought
372 Around the past, as round the future twined,
373 At midnight hour.
TO THE RISING FULL MOON.
374 Dornburg, 25th August, 1828.
375 Wilt thou suddenly enshroud thee,
376 Who this moment wert so nigh? Heavy rising masses cloud thee,
377 Thou art hidden from mine eye.
378 Yet my sadness thou well knowest,
379 Gleaming sweetly as a star! That I'm loved, 'tis thou that showest,
380 Though my loved one may be far.
381 Upward mount then! clearer, milder,
382 Robed in splendour far more bright! Though my heart with grief throbs wilder,
383 Fraught with rapture is the night!
THE BRIDEGROOM.*
(Not in the English sense of the word, but the German, where it has the meaning of betrothed.)
384 I Slept,--'twas midnight,--in my bosom woke,
385 As though 'twere day, my love-o'erflowing heart; To me it seemed like night, when day first broke;
386 What is't to me, whate'er it may impart?
387 She was away; the world's unceasing strife
388 For her alone I suffer'd through the heat Of sultry day; oh, what refreshing life
389 At cooling eve!--my guerdon was complete.
390 The sun now set, and wand'ring hand in hand,
391 His last and blissful look we greeted then; While spake our eyes, as they each other scann'd:
392 "From the far east, let's trust, he'll come again!"
393 At midnight!--the bright stars, in vision blest,
394 Guide to the threshold where she slumbers calm: Oh be it mine, there too at length to rest,--
395 Yet howsoe'er this prove, life's full of charm!
SUCH, SUCH IS HE WHO PLEASETH ME.
396 Fly, dearest, fly! He is not nigh!
397 He who found thee one fair morn in Spring
398 In the wood where thou thy flight didst wing. Fly, dearest, fly! He is not nigh! Never rests the foot of evil spy.
399 Hark! flutes' sweet strains and love's refrains
400 Reach the loved one, borne there by the wind,
401 In the soft heart open doors they find. Hark! flutes' sweet strains and love's refrains, Hark!--yet blissful love their echo pains.
402 Erect his head, and firm his tread,
403 Raven hair around his smooth brow strays,
404 On his cheeks a Spring eternal plays. Erect his head, and firm his tread, And by grace his ev'ry step is led.
405 Happy his breast, with pureness bless'd,
406 And the dark eyes 'neath his eyebrows placed,
407 With full many a beauteous line are graced. Happy his breast, with pureness bless'd, Soon as seen, thy love must be confess'd.
408 His mouth is red--its power I dread,
409 On his lips morn's fragrant incense lies,
410 Round his lips the cooling Zephyr sighs. His mouth is red--its power I dread, With one glance from him, all sorrow's fled.
411 His blood is true, his heart bold too,
412 In his soft arms, strength, protection, dwells
413 And his face with noble pity swells. His blood is true, his heart bold too, Blest the one whom those dear arms may woo!
SICILIAN SONG.
414 Ye black and roguish eyes,
415 If ye command. Each house in ruins lies,
416 No town can stand. And shall my bosom's chain,--
417 This plaster wall,Ä To think one moment, deign,--
418 Shall ii not fall?
SWISS SONG,
419 Up in th' mountain I was a-sitting, With the bird there As my guest, Blithely singing, Blithely springing, And building His nest.
420 In the garden I was a-standing, And the bee there Saw as well, Buzzing, humming, Going, coming, And building His cell.
421 O'er the meadow I was a-going, And there saw the Butterflies, Sipping, dancing, Flying, glancing, And charming The eyes.
422 And then came my Dear Hansel, And I show'd them With glee, Sipping, quaffing, And he, laughing, Sweet kisses Gave me.
FINNISH SONG.
423 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, Though his finger-ends were serpents.
424 Wind! Oh, if thou hadst but reason, Word for word in turns thou'dst carry, E'en though some perchance might perish 'Tween two lovers so far distant.
425 All choice morsels I'd dispense with, Table-flesh of priests neglect too, Sooner than renounce my lover, Whom, in Summer having vanquish'd, I in Winter tamed still longer.
GIPSY SONG.
426 In the drizzling mist, with the snow high-pil'd, In the Winter night, in the forest wild, I heard the wolves with their ravenous howl, I heard the screaming note of the owl:
427 Wille wau wau wau!
428 Wille wo wo wo!
429 Wito hu!
430 I shot, one day, a cat in a ditch-- The dear black cat of Anna the witch; Upon me, at night, seven were-wolves came down, Seven women they were, from out of the town.
431 Wille wau wau wau!
432 Wille wo wo wo!
433 Wito hu!
434 I knew them all; ay, I knew them straight; First, Anna, then Ursula, Eve, and Kate, And Barbara, Lizzy, and Bet as well; And forming a ring, they began to yell:
435 Wille wau wau wau!
436 Wille wo wo wo!
437 Wito hu!
438 Then call'd I their names with angry threat: "What wouldst thou, Anna? What wouldst thou, Bet?" At hearing my voice, themselves they shook, And howling and yelling, to flight they took.
439 Wille wau wau wau!
440 Wille wo wo wo!
441 Wito hu!
THE DESTRUCTION OF MAGDEBURG.
[For a fine account of the fearful sack of Magdeburg, by Tilly, in the year 1613, see SCHILLER's History of the Thirty Years' War.]
442 Oh, Magdeberg the town! Fair maids thy beauty crown, Thy charms fair maids and matrons crown; Oh, Magdeburg the town!
443 Where all so blooming stands, Advance fierce Tilly's bands; O'er gardens and o'er well--till'd lands Advance fierce Tilly's bands.
444 Now Tilly's at the gate. Our homes who'll liberate? Go, loved one, hasten to the gate, And dare the combat straight!
445 There is no need as yet, However fierce his threat; Thy rosy cheeks I'll kiss, sweet pet! There is no need as yet.
446 My longing makes me pale. Oh, what can wealth avail? E'en now thy father may be pale. Thou mak'st my courage fail.
447 Oh, mother, give me bread! Is then my father dead? Oh, mother, one small crust of bread! Oh, what misfortune dread!
448 Thy father, dead lies he, The trembling townsmen flee, Adown the street the blood runs free; Oh, whither shall we flee?
449 The churches ruined lie, The houses burn on high, The roofs they smoke, the flames out fly, Into the street then hie!
450 No safety there they meet! The soldiers fill the Street, With fire and sword the wreck complete: No safety there they meet!
451 Down falls the houses' line, Where now is thine or mine? That bundle yonder is not thine, Thou flying maiden mine!
452 The women sorrow sore. The maidens far, far more. The living are no virgins more; Thus Tilly's troops make war! -----
FAMILIAR SONGS.
------ What we sing in company Soon from heart to heart will fly. -----
453 The Gesellige Lieder, which I have angicisled as above, as several of them cannot be called convivial songs, are separated by Goethe from his other songs, and I have adhered to the same arrangement. The Ergo bibamus is a well-known drinking song in Germany, where it enjoys vast popularity.
ON THE NEW YEAR.
[Composed for a merry party that used to meet, in 1802, at Goethe's house.]
454 Fate now allows us,
455 'Twixt the departing
456 And the upstarting, Happy to be; And at the call of
457 Memory cherish'd,
458 Future and perish'd Moments we see.
459 Seasons of anguish,--
460 Ah, they must ever
461 Truth from woe sever, Love and joy part; Days still more worthy
462 Soon will unite us,
463 Fairer songs light us, Strength'ning the heart.
464 We, thus united,
465 Think of, with gladness,
466 Rapture and sadness, Sorrow now flies. Oh, how mysterious
467 Fortune's direction!
468 Old the connection,
469 New-born the prize!
470 Thank, for this, Fortune,
471 Wavering blindly!
472 Thank all that kindly Fate may bestow! Revel in change's
473 Impulses clearer,
474 Love far sincerer, More heartfelt glow!
475 Over the old one,
476 Wrinkles collected,
477 Sad and dejected, Others may view; But, on us gently
478 Shineth a true one,
479 And to the new one We, too, are new.
480 As a fond couple
481 'Midst the dance veering,
482 First disappearing, Then reappear, So let affection
483 Guide thro' life's mazy
484 Pathways so hazy Into the year!
ANNIVERSARY SONG.
[This little song describes the different members of the party just spoken of.]
485 Why pacest thou, my neighbour fair,
486 The garden all alone? If house and land thou seek'st to guard,
487 I'd thee as mistress own.
488 My brother sought the cellar-maid,
489 And suffered her no rest; She gave him a refreshing draught,
490 A kiss, too, she impress'd.
491 My cousin is a prudent wight,
492 The cook's by him ador'd; He turns the spit round ceaselessly,
493 To gain love's sweet reward.
494 We six together then began
495 A banquet to consume, When lo! a fourth pair singing came,
496 And danced into the room.
497 Welcome were they,--and welcome too
498 Was a fifth jovial pair. Brimful of news, and stored with tales
499 And jests both new and rare.
500 For riddles, spirit, raillery,
501 And wit, a place remain'd; A sixth pair then our circle join'd,
502 And so that prize was gain'd.
503 And yet to make us truly blest,
504 One miss'd we, and full sore; A true and tender couple came,--
505 We needed them no more.
506 The social banquet now goes on,
507 Unchequer'd by alloy; The sacred double-numbers then
508 Let us at once enjoy!
THE SPRING ORACLE.
509 Oh prophetic bird so bright, Blossom-songster, cuckoo bight! In the fairest time of year, Dearest bird, oh! deign to hear What a youthful pair would pray, Do thou call, if hope they may: Thy cuck-oo, thy cuck-oo. Ever more cuck-oo, cuck-oo!
510 Hearest thou? A loving pair Fain would to the altar fare; Yes! a pair in happy youth, Full of virtue, full of truth. Is the hour not fix'd by fate? Say, how long must they still wait? Hark! cuck-oo! hark! cuck-oo! Silent yet! for shame, cuck-oo!
511 'Tis not our fault, certainly! Only two years patient be! But if we ourselves please here, Will pa-pa-papas appear? Know that thou'lt more kindness do us, More thou'lt prophesy unto us. One! cuck-oo! Two! cuck-oo! Ever, ever, cuck-oo, cuck-oo, coo!
512 If we've calculated clearly, We have half a dozen nearly. If good promises we'll give, Wilt thou say how long we'II live? Truly, we'll confess to thee, We'd prolong it willingly. Coo cuck-oo, coo cuck-oo, Coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo!
513 Life is one continued feast-- (If we keep no score, at least). If now we together dwell, Will true love remain as well? For if that should e'er decay, Happiness would pass away. Coo cuck-oo, coo cuck-oo, Coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo!
514 1803.* (Gracefully in infinitum.) ----- THE HAPPY COUPLE.
515 AFTER these vernal rains
516 That we so warmly sought, Dear wife, see how our plains
517 With blessings sweet are fraught! We cast our distant gaze
518 Far in the misty blue; Here gentle love still strays,
519 Here dwells still rapture true.
520 Thou seest whither go
521 Yon pair of pigeons white, Where swelling violets blow
522 Round sunny foliage bright. 'Twas there we gather'd first
523 A nosegay as we roved; There into flame first burst
524 The passion that we proved.
525 Yet when, with plighted troth,
526 The priest beheld us fare Home from the altar both,
527 With many a youthful pair,-- Then other moons had birth,
528 And many a beauteous sun, Then we had gain'd the earth
529 Whereon life's race to run.
530 A hundred thousand fold
531 The mighty bond was seal'd; In woods, on mountains cold,
532 In bushes, in the field, Within the wall, in caves,
533 And on the craggy height, And love, e'en o'er the waves,
534 Bore in his tube the light.
535 Contented we remain'd,
536 We deem'd ourselves a pair; 'Twas otherwise ordain'd,
537 For, lo! a third was there; A fourth, fifth, sixth appear'd,
538 And sat around our board; And now the plants we've rear'd
539 High o'er our heads have soar'd!
540 How fair and pleasant looks,
541 On yonder beauteous spot, Embraced by poplar-brooks,
542 The newly-finish'd cot! Who is it there that sits
543 In that glad home above? Is't not our darling Fritz
544 With his own darling love?
545 Beside yon precipice,
546 Whence pent-up waters steal, And leaving the abyss,
547 Fall foaming through the wheel, Though people often tell
548 Of millers' wives so fair, Yet none can e'er excel
549 Our dearest daughter there!
550 Yet where the thick-set green
551 Stands round yon church and sad, Where the old fir-tree's seen
552 Alone tow'rd heaven to nod,-- 'Tis there the ashes lie
553 Of our untimely dead; From earth our gaze on high
554 By their blest memory's led.
555 See how yon hill is bright
556 With billowy-waving arms! The force returns, whose might
557 Has vanquished war's alarms. Who proudly hastens here
558 With wreath-encircled brow? 'Tis like our child so dear
559 Thus Charles comes homeward now.
560 That dearest honour'd guest
561 Is welcom'd by the bride; She makes the true one blest,
562 At the glad festal tide. And ev'ry one makes haste
563 To join the dance with glee; While thou with wreaths hast graced
564 The youngest children three.
565 To sound of flute and horn
566 The time appears renew'd, When we, in love's young morn,
567 In the glad dance upstood; And perfect bliss I know
568 Ere the year's course is run, For to the font we go
569 With grandson and with son!
SONG OF FELLOWSHIP.
[Written and sung in honour of the birthday of the Pastor Ewald at the time of Goethe's happy connection with Lily.]
570 In ev'ry hour of joy
571 That love and wine prolong, The moments we'll employ
572 To carol forth this song! We're gathered in His name,
573 Whose power hath brought us here; He kindled first our flame,
574 He bids it burn more clear.
575 Then gladly glow to-night,
576 And let our hearts combine! Up! quaff with fresh delight
577 This glass of sparkling wine! Up! hail the joyous hour,
578 And let your kiss be true; With each new bond of power
579 The old becomes the new!
580 Who in our circle lives,
581 And is not happy there? True liberty it gives,
582 And brother's love so fair. Thus heart and heart through life
583 With mutual love are fill'd; And by no causeless strife
584 Our union e'er is chill'd.
585 Our hopes a God has crown'd
586 With life-discernment free, And all we view around,
587 Renews our ecstasy. Ne'er by caprice oppress'd,
588 Our bliss is ne'er destroy'd; More freely throbs our breast,
589 By fancies ne'er alloy'd.
590 Where'er our foot we set,
591 The more life's path extends, And brighter, brighter yet
592 Our gaze on high ascends. We know no grief or pain,
593 Though all things fall and rise; Long may we thus remain!
594 Eternal be our ties!
CONSTANCY IN CHANGE.
595 Could this early bliss but rest
596 Constant for one single hour! But e'en now the humid West
597 Scatters many a vernal shower. Should the verdure give me joy?
598 'Tis to it I owe the shade; Soon will storms its bloom destroy,
599 Soon will Autumn bid it fade.
600 Eagerly thy portion seize,
601 If thou wouldst possess the fruit! Fast begin to ripen these,
602 And the rest already shoot. With each heavy storm of rain
603 Change comes o'er thy valley fair; Once, alas! but not again
604 Can the same stream hold thee e'er.
605 And thyself, what erst at least
606 Firm as rocks appear'd to rise, Walls and palaces thou seest
607 But with ever-changing eyes. Fled for ever now the lip
608 That with kisses used to glow, And the foot, that used to skip
609 O'er the mountain, like the roe.
610 And the hand, so true and warm,
611 Ever raised in charity, And the cunning-fashion'd form,--
612 All are now changed utterly. And what used to bear thy name,
613 When upon yon spot it stood, Like a rolling billow came,
614 Hast'ning on to join the flood.
615 Be then the beginning found
616 With the end in unison, Swifter than the forms around
617 Are themselves now fleeting on! Thank the merit in thy breast,
618 Thank the mould within thy heart, That the Muses' favour blest Ne'er will perish, ne'er depart.
TABLE SONG.
[Composed for the merry party already mentioned, on the occasion of the departure for France of the hereditary prince, who was one of the number, and who is especially alluded to in the 3rd verse.]
619 O'er me--how I cannot say,--
620 Heav'nly rapture's growing. Will it help to guide my way
621 To yon stars all-glowing? Yet that here I'd sooner be,
622 To assert I'm able, Where, with wine and harmony,
623 I may thump the table.
624 Wonder not, my dearest friends,
625 What 'tis gives me pleasure; For of all that earth e'er lends,
626 'Tis the sweetest treasure. Therefore solemnly I swear,
627 With no reservation, That maliciously I'll ne'er
628 Leave my present station.
629 Now that here we're gather'd round,
630 Chasing cares and slumbers, Let, methought, the goblet sound
631 To the bard's glad numbers! Many a hundred mile away,
632 Go those we love dearly; Therefore let us here to-day
633 Make the glass ring clearly!
634 Here's His health, through Whom we live!
635 I that faith inherit. To our king the next toast give,
636 Honour is his merit, 'Gainst each in-- and outward foe
637 He's our rock and tower. Of his maintenance thinks he though,
638 More that grows his power.
639 Next to her good health I drink,
640 Who has stirr'd my passion; Of his mistress let each think,
641 Think in knightly fashion. If the beauteous maid but see
642 Whom 'tis I now call so, Let her smiling nod to me:
643 "Here's my love's health also!"
644 To those friends,--the two or three,--
645 Be our next toast given, In whose presence revel we,
646 In the silent even,-- Who the gloomy mist so cold
647 Scatter gently, lightly; To those friends, then, new or old,
648 Let the toast ring brightly.
649 Broader now the stream rolls on,
650 With its waves more swelling, While in higher, nobler tone,
651 Comrades, we are dwelling,-- We who with collected might,
652 Bravely cling together, Both in fortune's sunshine bright,
653 And in stormy weather.
654 Just as we are gather'd thus,
655 Others are collected; On them, therefore, as on us,
656 Be Fate's smile directed! From the springhead to the sea,
657 Many a mill's revolving, And the world's prosperity
658 Is the task I'm solving.
WONT AND DONE.
659 I have loved; for the first time with passion I rave! I then was the servant, but now am the slave;
660 I then was the servant of all: By this creature so charming I now am fast bound, To love and love's guerdon she turns all around,
661 And her my sole mistress I call.
662 l've had faith; for the first time my faith is now strong! And though matters go strangely, though matters go wrong,
663 To the ranks of the faithful I'm true: Though ofttimes 'twas dark and though ofttimes 'twas drear, In the pressure of need, and when danger was near,
664 Yet the dawning of light I now view.
665 I have eaten; but ne'er have thus relish'd my food! For when glad are the senses, and joyous the blood,
666 At table all else is effaced As for youth, it but swallows, then whistles an air; As for me, to a jovial resort I'd repair,
667 Where to eat, and enjoy what I taste.
668 I have drunk; but have never thus relish'd the bowl! For wine makes us lords, and enlivens the soul,
669 And loosens the trembling slave's tongue. Let's not seek to spare then the heart-stirring drink, For though in the barrel the old wine may sink,
670 In its place will fast mellow the young.
671 I have danced, and to dancing am pledged by a vow! Though no caper or waltz may be raved about now,
672 In a dance that's becoming, whirl round. And he who a nosegay of flowers has dress'd, And cares not for one any more than the rest,
673 With a garland of mirth is aye crown'd.
674 Then once more be merry, and banish all woes! For he who but gathers the blossoming rose.
675 By its thorns will be tickled alone. To-day still, as yesterday, glimmers the star; Take care from all heads that hang down to keep far,
676 And make but the future thine own.
GENERAL CONFESSION.
677 In this noble ring to-day
678 Let my warning shame ye! Listen to my solemn voice,--
679 Seldom does it name ye. Many a thing have ye intended,
680 Many a thing have badly ended, And now I must blame ye.
681 At some moment in our lives
682 We must all repent us! So confess, with pious trust,
683 All your sins momentous! Error's crooked pathways shunning.
684 Let us, on the straight road running, Honestly content us!
685 Yes! we've oft, when waking, dream'd,
686 Let's confess it rightly; Left undrain'd the brimming cup,
687 When it sparkled brightly; Many a shepherd's-hour's soft blisses,
688 Many a dear mouth's flying kisses We've neglected lightly.
689 Mute and silent have we sat,
690 Whilst the blockheads prated, And above e'en song divine
691 Have their babblings rated; To account we've even call'd us
692 For the moments that enthrall'd us, With enjoyment freighted.
693 If thou'lt absolution grant
694 To thy true ones ever, We, to execute thy will,
695 Ceaseless will endeavour, From half-measures strive to wean us,
696 Wholly, fairly, well demean us, Resting, flagging never.
697 At all blockheads we'll at once
698 Let our laugh ring clearly, And the pearly-foaming wine
699 Never sip at merely. Ne'er with eye alone give kisses,
700 But with boldness suck in blisses From those lips loved dearly.
COPTIC SONG.
701 Leave we the pedants to quarrel and strive,
702 Rigid and cautious the teachers to be! All of the wisest men e'er seen alive
703 Smile, nod, and join in the chorus with me: "Vain 'tis to wait till the dolt grows less silly! Play then the fool with the fool, willy-nilly,--
704 Children of wisdom,--remember the word!"
705 Merlin the old, from his glittering grave, When I, a stripling, once spoke to him,--gave
706 Just the same answer as that I've preferr'd; "Vain 'tis to wait till the dolt grows less silly! Play then the fool with the fool, willy-nilly,--
707 Children of wisdom,--remember the word!"
708 And on the Indian breeze as it booms, And in the depths of Egyptian tombs,
709 Only the same holy saying I've heard: "Vain 'tis to wait till the dolt grows less silly! Play then the fool with the fool, willy-nilly,--
710 Children of wisdom,--remember the word!"
ANOTHER.
711 Go! obedient to my call,
712 Turn to profit thy young days,
713 Wiser make betimes thy breast
714 In Fate's balance as it sways,
715 Seldom is the cock at rest; Thou must either mount, or fall,
716 Thou must either rule and win,
717 Or submissively give in, Triumph, or else yield to clamour: Be the anvil or the hammer.
VANITAS! VANITATUM VANITAS!
718 My trust in nothing now is placed,
719 Hurrah! So in the world true joy I taste,
720 Hurrah! Then he who would be a comrade of mine Must rattle his glass, and in chorus combine, Over these dregs of wine.
721 I placed my trust in gold and wealth,
722 Hurrah! But then I lost all joy and health,
723 Lack-a-day! Both here and there the money roll'd, And when I had it here, behold, From there had fled the gold!
724 I placed my trust in women next,
725 Hurrah! But there in truth was sorely vex'd,
726 Lack-a-day! The False another portion sought, The True with tediousness were fraught, The Best could not be bought.
727 My trust in travels then I placed,
728 Hurrah! And left my native land in haste.
729 Lack-a-day! But not a single thing seem'd good, The beds were bad, and strange the food, And I not understood.
730 I placed my trust in rank and fame,
731 Hurrah! Another put me straight to shame,
732 Lack-a-day! And as I had been prominent, All scowl'd upon me as I went, I found not one content.
733 I placed my trust in war and fight,
734 Hurrah! We gain'd full many a triumph bright,
735 Hurrah! Into the foeman's land we cross'd, We put our friends to equal cost, And there a leg I lost.
736 My trust is placed in nothing now,
737 Hurrah! At my command the world must bow,
738 Hurrah! And as we've ended feast and strain, The cup we'll to the bottom drain; No dregs must there remain!
FORTUNE OF WAR.
739 Nought more accursed in war I know
740 Than getting off scot-free; Inured to danger, on we go
741 In constant victory; We first unpack, then pack again,
742 With only this reward, That when we're marching, we complain,
743 And when in camp, are bor'd.
744 The time for billeting comes next,--
745 The peasant curses it; Each nobleman is sorely vex'd,
746 'Tis hated by the cit. Be civil, bad though be thy food,
747 The clowns politely treat; If to our hosts we're ever rude,
748 Jail-bread we're forced to eat.
749 And when the cannons growl around,
750 And small arms rattle clear, And trumpet, trot, and drum resound,
751 We merry all appear; And as it in the fight may chance,
752 We yield, then charge amain, And now retire, and now advance,
753 And yet a cross ne'er gain.
754 At length there comes a musket-ball,
755 And hits the leg, please Heaven; And then our troubles vanish all,
756 For to the town we're driven, (Well cover'd by the victor's force,)
757 Where we in wrath first came,-- The women, frightened then, of course,
758 Are loving now and tame.
759 Cellar and heart are open'd wide,
760 The cook's allow'd no rest; While beds with softest down supplied
761 Are by our members press'd. The nimble lads upon us wait,
762 No sleep the hostess takes Her shift is torn in pieces straight,--
763 What wondrous lint it makes!
764 If one has tended carefully
765 The hero's wounded limb, Her neighbour cannot rest, for she
766 Has also tended him. A third arrives in equal haste,
767 At length they all are there, And in the middle he is placed
768 Of the whole band so fair!
769 On good authority the king
770 Hears how we love the fight, And bids them cross and ribbon bring,
771 Our coat and breast to dight. Say if a better fate can e'er
772 A son of Mars pursue! 'Midst tears at length we go from there,
773 Beloved and honour'd too.
OPEN TABLE.
774 Many a guest I'd see to-day,
775 Met to taste my dishes! Food in plenty is prepar'd,
776 Birds, and game, and fishes. Invitations all have had,
777 All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around!
778 Are they hither wending?
779 Pretty girls I hope to see,
780 Dear and guileless misses, Ignorant how sweet it is
781 Giving tender kisses. Invitations all have had,
782 All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around!
783 Are they hither wending?
784 Women also I expect,
785 Loving tow'rd their spouses, Whose rude grumbling in their breasts
786 Greater love but rouses. Invitations they've had too,
787 All proposed attending! Johnny, go and look around!
788 Are they hither wending?
789 I've too ask'd young gentlemen,
790 Who are far from haughty, And whose purses are well-stock'd,
791 Well-behaved, not haughty. These especially I ask'd,
792 All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around!
793 Are they hither wending?
794 Men I summon'd with respect,
795 Who their own wives treasure; Who in ogling other Fair
796 Never take a pleasure. To my greetings they replied,
797 All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around!
798 Are they hither wending?
799 Then to make our joy complete,
800 Poets I invited, Who love other's songs far more
801 Than what they've indited. All acceded to my wish,
802 All proposed attending. Johnny, go and look around!
803 Are they hither wending?
804 Not a single one appears,
805 None seem this way posting. All the soup boils fast away,
806 Joints are over-roasting. Ah, I fear that we have been
807 Rather too unbending! Johnny, tell me what you think!
808 None are hither wending.
809 Johnny, run and quickly bring
810 Other guests to me now! Each arriving as he is--
811 That's the plan, I see now. In the town at once 'tis known,
812 Every one's commending. Johnny, open all the doors:
813 All are hither wending!
THE RECKONING.
LEADER.
814 Let no cares now hover o'er us
815 Let the wine unsparing run! Wilt thou swell our merry chorus?
816 Hast thou all thy duty done?
SOLO.
817 Two young folks--the thing is curious--
818 Loved each other; yesterday Both quite mild, to-day quite furious,
819 Next day, quite the deuce to pay! If her neck she there was stooping,
820 He must here needs pull his hair. I revived their spirits drooping,
821 And they're now a happy pair.
CHORUS.
822 Surely we for wine may languish!
823 Let the bumper then go round! For all sighs and groans of anguish
824 Thou to-day in joy hast drown'd.
SOLO.
825 Why, young orphan, all this wailing?
826 "Would to heaven that I were dead! For my guardian's craft prevailing
827 Soon will make me beg my bread." Knowing well the rascal genus,
828 Into court I dragg'd the knave; Fair the judges were between us,
829 And the maiden's wealth did save.
CHORUS.
830 Surely we for wine may languish!
831 Let the bumper then go round! For all sighs and groans of anguish
832 Thou to-day in joy hast drown'd.
SOLO.
833 To a little fellow, quiet,
834 Unpretending and subdued, Has a big clown, running riot,
835 Been to-day extremely rude. I bethought me of my duty,
836 And my courage swell'd apace, So I spoil'd the rascal's beauty,
837 Slashing him across the face.
CHORUS.
838 Surely we for wine may languish!
839 Let the bumper then go round! For all sighs and groans of anguish
840 Thou to-day in joy hast drown'd.
SOLO.
841 Brief must be my explanation,
842 For I really have done nought. Free from trouble and vexation,
843 I a landlord's business bought. There I've done, with all due ardour,
844 All that duty order'd me; Each one ask'd me for the larder,
845 And there was no scarcity.
CHORUS.
846 Surely we for wine may languish!
847 Let the bumper then go round! For all sighs and groans of anguish
848 Thou to-day in joy hast drown'd.
LEADER.
849 Each should thus make proclamation
850 Of what he did well to-day! That's the match whose conflagration
851 Should inflame our tuneful lay. Let it be our precept ever
852 To admit no waverer here! For to act the good endeavour,
853 None but rascals meek appear.
CHORUS.
854 Surely we for wine may languish!
855 Let the bumper then go round! For all sighs and groans of anguish
856 We have now in rapture drown'd.
TRIO.
857 Let each merry minstrel enter,
858 He's right welcome to our hall! 'Tis but with the selfÄtormentor
859 That we are not liberal;
860 For we fear that his caprices,
861 That his eye-brows dark and sad, That his grief that never ceases
862 Hide an empty heart, or bad.
CHORUS.
863 No one now for wine shall languish!
864 Here no minstrel shall be found, Who all sighs and groans of anguish,
865 Has not first in rapture drown'd!
866 1810. ----- ERGO BIBAMUS!
867 FOR a praiseworthy object we're now gather'd here,
868 So, brethren, sing: ERGO BIBAMUS! Tho' talk may be hush'd, yet the glasses ring clear,
869 Remember then: ERGO BIBAMUS! In truth 'tis an old, 'tis an excellent word, With its sound so befitting each bosom is stirr'd, And an echo the festal hall filling is heard,
870 A glorious ERGO BIBAMUS!
871 I saw mine own love in her beauty so rare,
872 And bethought me of: ERGO BIBAMUS; So I gently approach'd, and she let me stand there,
873 While I help'd myself, thinking: BIBAMUS! And when she's appeased, and will clasp you and kiss, Or when those embraces and kisses ye miss, Take refuge, till sound is some worthier bliss,
874 In the comforting ERGO BIBAMUS!
875 I am call'd by my fate far away from each friend;
876 Ye loved ones, then: ERGO BIBAMUS! With wallet light-laden from hence I must wend.
877 So double our ERGO BIBAMUS! Whate'er to his treasures the niggard may add, Yet regard for the joyous will ever be had, For gladness lends over its charms to the glad,
878 So, brethren, sing; ERGO BIBAMUS!
879 And what shall we say of to-day as it flies?
880 I thought but of: ERGO BIBAMUS 'Tis one of those truly that seldom arise,
881 So again and again sing: BIBAMUS! For joy through a wide-open portal it guides, Bright glitter the clouds, as the curtain divides, An a form, a divine one, to greet us in glides,
882 While we thunder our: ERGO BIBAMUS!
EPIPHANIAS.
883 The three holy kings with their star's bright ray,-- They eat and they drink, but had rather not pay; They like to eat and drink away, They eat and drink, but had rather not pay.
884 The three holy kings have all come here, In number not four, but three they appear; And if a fourth join'd the other three, Increased by one their number would be.
885 The first am I,--the fair and the white, I ought to be seen when the sun shines bright! But, alas! with all my spices and myrrh, No girl now likes me,--I please not her.
886 The next am I,--the brown and the long, Known well to women, known well to song. Instead of spices, 'tis gold I bear, And so I'm welcome everywhere.
887 The last am I,--the black and small, And fain would be right merry withal. I like to eat and to drink full measure, I eat and drink, and give thanks with pleasure.
888 The three holy kings are friendly and mild, They seek the Mother, and seek the Child; The pious Joseph is sitting by, The ox and the ass on their litter lie.
889 We're bringing gold, we're bringing myrrh, The women incense always prefer; And if we have wine of a worthy growth, We three to drink like six are not loth.
890 As here we see fair lads and lasses, But not a sign of oxen or asses, We know that we have gone astray And so go further on our way. -----
BALLADS.
891 ----- Poet's art is ever able To endow with truth mere fable. ---- MIGNON. [This universally known poem is also to be found in Wilhelm Meister.]
892 Know'st thou the land where the fair citron blows, Where the bright orange midst the foliage glows, Where soft winds greet us from the azure skies, Where silent myrtles, stately laurels rise, Know'st thou it well?
893 'Tis there, 'tis there, That I with thee, beloved one, would repair.
894 Know'st thou the house? On columns rests its pile, Its halls are gleaming, and its chambers smile, And marble statues stand and gaze on me: "Poor child! what sorrow hath befallen thee?" Know'st thou it well?
895 'Tis there, 'tis there, That I with thee, protector, would repair!
896 Know'st thou the mountain, and its cloudy bridge? The mule can scarcely find the misty ridge; In caverns dwells the dragon's olden brood, The frowning crag obstructs the raging flood. Know'st thou it well?
897 'Tis there, 'tis there, Our path lies--Father--thither, oh repair!
THE MINSTREL.
[This fine poem is introduced in the second book of Wilhelm Meister.]
898 "What tuneful strains salute mine ear
899 Without the castle walls? Oh, let the song re-echo here,
900 Within our festal halls!" Thus spake the king, the page out-hied; The boy return'd; the monarch cried:
901 "Admit the old man yonder!"
902 "All hail, ye noble lords to-night!
903 All hail, ye beauteous dames! Star placed by star! What heavenly sight!
904 Whoe'er can tell their names? Within this glittering hall sublime, Be closed, mine eyes! 'tis not the time
905 For me to feast my wonder."
906 The minstrel straightway closed his eyes,
907 And woke a thrilling tone; The knights look'd on in knightly guise,
908 Fair looks tow'rd earth were thrown. The monarch, ravish'd by the strain, Bade them bring forth a golden chain,
909 To be his numbers' guerdon.
910 "The golden chain give not to me,
911 But give the chain to those In whose bold face we shiver'd see
912 The lances of our foes. Or give it to thy chancellor there; With other burdens he may bear
913 This one more golden burden.
914 "I sing, like birds of blithesome note,
915 That in the branches dwell; The song that rises from the throat
916 Repays the minstrel well. One boon I'd crave, if not too bold-- One bumper in a cup of gold
917 Be as my guerdon given."
918 The bowl he raised, the bowl he quaff'd:
919 "Oh drink, with solace fraught! Oh, house thrice-blest, where such a draught
920 A trifling gift is thought! When Fortune smiles, remember me, And as I thank you heartily,
921 As warmly thank ye Heaven!"
BALLAD
OF THE BANISHED AND RETURNING COUNT.
[Goethe began to write an opera called Lowenstuhl, founded upon the old tradition which forms the subject of this Ballad, but he never carried out his design.]
922 Oh, enter old minstrel, thou time-honour'd one! We children are here in the hall all alone,
923 The portals we straightway will bar. Our mother is praying, our father is gone
924 To the forest, on wolves to make war. Oh sing us a ballad, the tale then repeat,
925 'Till brother and I learn it right; We long have been hoping a minstrel to meet,
926 For children hear tales with delight.
927 "At midnight, when darkness its fearful veil weaves, His lofty and stately old castle he leaves,
928 But first he has buried his wealth. What figure is that in his arms one perceives,
929 As the Count quits the gateway by stealth? O'er what is his mantle so hastily thrown?
930 What bears he along in his flight? A daughter it is, and she gently sleeps on"--
931 The children they hear with delight.
932 "The morning soon glimmers. the world is so wide, In valleys and forests a home is supplied,
933 The bard in each village is cheer'd. Thus lives he and wanders, while years onward glide,
934 And longer still waxes his beard; But the maiden so fair in his arms grows amain,
935 'Neath her star all-protecting and bright, Secured in the mantle from wind and from rain--"
936 The children they hear with delight.
937 "And year upon year with swift footstep now steals, The mantle it fades, many rents it reveals,
938 The maiden no more it can hold. The father he sees her, what rapture he feels!
939 His joy cannot now be controll'd. How worthy she seems of the race whence she springs,
940 How noble and fair to the sight! What wealth to her dearly-loved father she brings!"--
941 The children they hear with delight.
942 "Then comes there a princely knight galloping by, She stretches her hand out, as soon as he's nigh,
943 But alms he refuses to give. He seizes her hand, with a smile in his eye:
944 'Thou art mine!' he exclaims, 'while I live!' 'When thou know'st,' cries the old man, 'the treasure that's there,
945 A princess thou'lt make her of right; Betroth'd be she now, on this spot green and fair--'"
946 The children they hear with delight.
947 "So she's bless'd by the priest on the hallowed place, And she goes with a smiling but sorrowful face,
948 From her father she fain would not part. The old man still wanders with ne'er-changing pace,
949 He covers with joy his sad heart. So I think of my daughter, as years pass away,
950 And my grandchildren far from my sight; I bless them by night, and I bless them by day"--
951 The children they hear with delight.
952 He blesses the children: a knocking they hear, The father it is! They spring forward in fear,
953 The old man they cannot conceal-- "Thou beggar, wouldst lure, then, my children so dear?
954 Straight seize him, ye vassals of steel! To the dungeon most deep, with the fool-hardy knave!"
955 The mother from far hears the fight; She hastens with flatt'ring entreaty to crave--
956 The children they hear with delight.
957 The vassals they suffer the Bard to stand there, And mother and children implore him to spare,
958 The proud prince would stifle his ire, 'Till driven to fury at hearing their prayer,
959 His smouldering anger takes fire: "Thou pitiful race! Oh, thou beggarly crew!
960 Eclipsing my star, once so bright! Ye'll bring me destruction, ye sorely shall rue!"
961 The children they hear with affright.
962 The old man still stands there with dignified mien, The vassals of steel quake before him, I ween,
963 The Count's fury increases in power; "My wedded existence a curse long has been,
964 And these are the fruits from that flower! 'Tis ever denied, and the saying is true,
965 That to wed with the base-born is right; The beggar has borne me a beggarly crew,--"
966 The children they hear with affright.
967 "If the husband, the father, thus treats you with scorn, If the holiest bonds by him rashly are torn,
968 Then come to your father--to me! The beggar may gladden life's pathway forlorn,
969 Though aged and weak he may be. This castle is mine! thou hast made it thy prey,
970 Thy people 'twas put me to flight; The tokens I bear will confirm what I say"--
971 The children they hear with delight.
972 "The king who erst govern'd returneth again, And restores to the Faithful the goods that were ta'en,
973 I'll unseal all my treasures the while; The laws shall be gentle, and peaceful the reign"--
974 The old man thus cries with a smile-- "Take courage, my son! all hath turned out for good,
975 And each hath a star that is bright, Those the princess hath borne thee are princely in blood,"--
976 The children thy hear with delight.
THE VIOLET.
977 Upon the mead a violet stood, Retiring, and of modest mood,
978 In truth, a violet fair. Then came a youthful shepherdess, And roam'd with sprightly joyousness, And blithely woo'd
979 With carols sweet the air
980 "Ah!" thought the violet, "had I been For but the smallest moment e'en
981 Nature's most beauteous flower, 'Till gather'd by my love, and press'd, When weary, 'gainst her gentle breast, For e'en, for e'en
982 One quarter of an hour!"
983 Alas! alas! the maid drew nigh, The violet failed to meet her eye,
984 She crush'd the violet sweet. It sank and died, yet murmur'd not: "And if I die, oh, happy lot, For her I die,
985 And at her very feet!"
THE FAITHLESS BOY.
986 There was a wooer blithe and gay,
987 A son of France was he,-- Who in his arms for many a day,
988 As though his bride were she, A poor young maiden had caress'd, And fondly kiss'd, and fondly press'd,
989 And then at length deserted.
990 When this was told the nut-brown maid,
991 Her senses straightway fled; She laugh'd and wept, and vow'd and pray'd,
992 And presently was dead. The hour her soul its farewell took, The boy was sad, with terror shook,
993 Then sprang upon his charger.
994 He drove his spurs into his side,
995 And scour'd the country round; But wheresoever he might ride,
996 No rest for him was found. For seven long days and nights he rode, It storm'd, the waters overflow'd,
997 It bluster'd, lighten'd, thunder'd.
998 On rode he through the tempest's din,
999 Till he a building spied; In search of shelter crept he in,
1000 When he his steed had tied. And as he groped his doubtful way, The ground began to rock and sway,--
1001 He fell a hundred fathoms.
1002 When he recover'd from the blow,
1003 He saw three lights pass by; He sought in their pursuit to go,
1004 The lights appear'd to fly. They led his footsteps all astray, Up, down, through many a narrow way
1005 Through ruin'd desert cellars.
1006 When lo! he stood within a hall,
1007 With hollow eyes. and grinning all; They bade him taste the fare.
1008 A hundred guests sat there. He saw his sweetheart 'midst the throng, Wrapp'd up in grave-clothes white and long;
1009 She turn'd, and----*
1010 1774. (* This ballad is introduced in Act II. of Claudine of Villa Bella, where it is suddenly broken off, as it is here.) ----- THE ERL-KING.
1011 WHO rides there so late through the night dark and drear? The father it is, with his infant so dear; He holdeth the boy tightly clasp'd in his arm, He holdeth him safely, he keepeth him warm.
1012 "My son, wherefore seek'st thou thy face thus to hide?" "Look, father, the Erl-King is close by our side! Dost see not the Erl-King, with crown and with train?" "My son, 'tis the mist rising over the plain."
1013 "Oh, come, thou dear infant! oh come thou with me! Full many a game I will play there with thee; On my strand, lovely flowers their blossoms unfold, My mother shall grace thee with garments of gold."
1014 "My father, my father, and dost thou not hear The words that the Erl-King now breathes in mine ear?" "Be calm, dearest child, 'tis thy fancy deceives; 'Tis the sad wind that sighs through the withering leaves."
1015 "Wilt go, then, dear infant, wilt go with me there? My daughters shall tend thee with sisterly care My daughters by night their glad festival keep, They'll dance thee, and rock thee, and sing thee to sleep."
1016 "My father, my father, and dost thou not see, How the Erl-King his daughters has brought here for me?" "My darling, my darling, I see it aright, 'Tis the aged grey willows deceiving thy sight."
1017 "I love thee, I'm charm'd by thy beauty, dear boy! And if thou'rt unwilling, then force I'll employ." "My father, my father, he seizes me fast, Full sorely the Erl-King has hurt me at last."
1018 The father now gallops, with terror half wild, He grasps in his arms the poor shuddering child; He reaches his courtyard with toil and with dread,-- The child in his arms finds he motionless, dead.
JOHANNA SEBUS.
[To the memory of an excellent and beautiful girl of 17, belonging to the village of Brienen, who perished on the 13th of January, 1809, whilst giving help on the occasion of the breaking up of the ice on the Rhine, and the bursting of the dam of Cleverham.]
THE DAM BREAKS DOWN, THE ICE-PLAIN GROWLS, THE FLOODS ARISE, THE WATER HOWLS.
1019 "I'll bear thee, mother, across the swell,
1020 'Tis not yet high, I can wade right well."
1021 "Remember us too! in what danger are we!
1022 Thy fellow-lodger, and children three!
1023 The trembling woman!--Thou'rt going away!"
1024 She bears the mother across the spray.
1025 "Quick! haste to the mound, and awhile there wait,
1026 I'll soon return, and all will be straight.
1027 The mound's close by, and safe from the wet;
1028 But take my goat too, my darling pet!"
1029 THE DAM DISSOLVES, THE ICE-PLAIN GROWLS, THE FLOODS DASH ON, THE WATER HOWLS.
1030 She places the mother safe on the shore;
1031 Fair Susan then turns tow'rd the flood once more.
1032 "Oh whither? Oh whither? The breadth fast grows,
1033 Both here and there the water o'erflows.
1034 Wilt venture, thou rash one, the billows to brave?" "THEY SHALL, AND THEY MUST BE PRESERVED FROM THE WAVE!"
1035 THE DAM DISAPPEARS, THE WATER GROWLS, LIKE OCEAN BILLOWS IT HEAVES AND HOWLS.
1036 Fair Susan returns by the way she had tried,
1037 The waves roar around, but she turns not aside;
1038 She reaches the mound, and the neighbour straight,
1039 But for her and the children, alas, too late!
1040 THE DAM DISAPPEAR'D,--LIKE A SEA IT GROWLS, ROUND THE HILLOCK IN CIRCLING EDDIES IT HOWLS.
1041 The foaming abyss gapes wide, and whirls round,
1042 The women and children are borne to the ground;
1043 The horn of the goat by one is seized fast,
1044 But, ah, they all must perish at last!
1045 Fair Susan still stands-there, untouch'd by the wave;
1046 The youngest, the noblest, oh, who now will save?
1047 Fair Susan still stands there, as bright as a star,
1048 But, alas! all hope, all assistance is far.
1049 The foaming waters around her roar,
1050 To save her, no bark pushes off from the shore.
1051 Her gaze once again she lifts up to Heaven,
1052 Then gently away by the flood she is driven.
1053 NO DAM, NO PLAIN! TO MARK THE PLACE SOME STRAGGLING TREES ARE THE ONLY TRACE.
1054 The rushing water the wilderness covers,
1055 Yet Susan's image still o'er it hovers.--
1056 The water sinks, the plains re-appear.
1057 Fair Susan's lamented with many a tear,--
1058 May he who refuses her story to tell,
1059 Be neglected in life and in death as well!
THE FISHERMAN.
1060 The waters rush'd, the waters rose,
1061 A fisherman sat by, While on his line in calm repose
1062 He cast his patient eye. And as he sat, and hearken'd there,
1063 The flood was cleft in twain, And, lo! a dripping mermaid fair
1064 Sprang from the troubled main.
1065 She sang to him, and spake the while:
1066 "Why lurest thou my brood, With human wit and human guile
1067 From out their native flood? Oh, couldst thou know how gladly dart
1068 The fish across the sea, Thou wouldst descend, e'en as thou art,
1069 And truly happy be!
1070 "Do not the sun and moon with grace
1071 Their forms in ocean lave? Shines not with twofold charms their face,
1072 When rising from the wave? The deep, deep heavens, then lure thee not,--
1073 The moist yet radiant blue,-- Not thine own form,--to tempt thy lot
1074 'Midst this eternal dew?"
1075 The waters rush'd, the waters rose,
1076 Wetting his naked feet; As if his true love's words were those,
1077 His heart with longing beat. She sang to him, to him spake she,
1078 His doom was fix'd, I ween; Half drew she him, and half sank he,
1079 And ne'er again was seen.
THE KING OF THULE.*
(* This ballad is also introduced in Faust, where it is sung by Margaret.)
1080 In Thule lived a monarch,
1081 Still faithful to the grave, To whom his dying mistress
1082 A golden goblet gave.
1083 Beyond all price he deem'd it,
1084 He quaff'd it at each feast; And, when he drain'd that goblet,
1085 His tears to flow ne'er ceas'd.
1086 And when he felt death near him,
1087 His cities o'er he told, And to his heir left all things,
1088 But not that cup of gold.
1089 A regal banquet held he
1090 In his ancestral ball, In yonder sea-wash'd castle,
1091 'Mongst his great nobles all.
1092 There stood the aged reveller,
1093 And drank his last life's-glow,-- Then hurl'd the holy goblet
1094 Into the flood below.
1095 He saw it falling, filling,
1096 And sinking 'neath the main, His eyes then closed for ever,
1097 He never drank again.
1098 1774. -----
THE BEAUTEOUS FLOWER.
SONG OF THE IMPRISONED COUNT.
COUNT.
1099 I KNOW a flower of beauty rare,
1100 Ah, how I hold it dear! To seek it I would fain repair,
1101 Were I not prison'd here. My sorrow sore oppresses me, For when I was at liberty,
1102 I had it close beside me.
1103 Though from this castle's walls so steep
1104 I cast mine eyes around, And gaze oft from the lofty keep,
1105 The flower can not be found. Whoe'er would bring it to my sight, Whether a vassal he, or knight,
1106 My dearest friend I'd deem him.
THE ROSE.
1107 I blossom fair,--thy tale of woes
1108 I hear from 'neath thy grate. Thou doubtless meanest me, the rose.
1109 Poor knight of high estate! Thou hast in truth a lofty mind; The queen of flowers is then enshrin'd,
1110 I doubt not, in thy bosom.
COUNT.
1111 Thy red, in dress of green array'd,
1112 As worth all praise I hold; And so thou'rt treasured by each maid
1113 Like precious stones or gold. Thy wreath adorns the fairest face But still thou'rt not the flower whose grace
1114 I honour here in silence.
THE LILY.
1115 The rose is wont with pride to swell,
1116 And ever seeks to rise; But gentle sweethearts love full well
1117 The lily's charms to prize, The heart that fills a bosom true, That is, like me, unsullied too,
1118 My merit values duly.
COUNT.
1119 In truth, I hope myself unstain'd,
1120 And free from grievous crime; Yet I am here a prisoner chain'd,
1121 And pass in grief my time, To me thou art an image sure Of many a maiden, mild and pure,
1122 And yet I know a dearer.
THE PINK.
1123 That must be me, the pink, who scent
1124 The warder's garden here; Or wherefore is he so intent
1125 My charms with care to rear? My petals stand in beauteous ring, Sweet incense all around I fling,
1126 And boast a thousand colours.
COUNT.
1127 The pink in truth we should not slight,
1128 It is the gardener's pride It now must stand exposed to light,
1129 Now in the shade abide. Yet what can make the Count's heart glow Is no mere pomp of outward show;
1130 It is a silent flower.
THE VIOLET.
1131 Here stand I, modestly half hid,
1132 And fain would silence keep; Yet since to speak I now am bid,
1133 I'll break my silence deep. If, worthy Knight, I am that flower, It grieves me that I have not power
1134 To breathe forth all my sweetness.
COUNT.
1135 The violet's charms I prize indeed,
1136 So modest 'tis, and fair, And smells so sweet; yet more I need
1137 To ease my heavy care. The truth I'll whisper in thine ear: Upon these rocky heights so drear,
1138 I cannot find the loved one.
1139 The truest maiden 'neath the sky
1140 Roams near the stream below, And breathes forth many a gentle sigh,
1141 Till I from hence can go. And when she plucks a flow'ret blue, And says "Forget-me-not!"--I, too,
1142 Though far away, can feel it.
1143 Ay, distance only swells love's might,
1144 When fondly love a pair; Though prison'd in the dungeon's night,
1145 In life I linger there And when my heart is breaking nigh, "Forget-me-not!" is all I cry,
1146 And straightway life returneth.
SIR CURT'S WEDDING-JOURNEY.
1147 With a bridegroom's joyous bearing,
1148 Mounts Sir Curt his noble beast, To his mistress' home repairing,
1149 There to hold his wedding feast; When a threatening foe advances
1150 From a desert, rocky spot; For the fray they couch their lances,
1151 Not delaying, speaking not.
1152 Long the doubtful fight continues,
1153 Victory then for Curt declares; Conqueror, though with wearied sinews,
1154 Forward on his road he fares. When he sees, though strange it may be,
1155 Something 'midst the foliage move; 'Tis a mother, with her baby,
1156 Stealing softly through the grove!
1157 And upon the spot she beckons--
1158 "Wherefore, love, this speed so wild? Of the wealth thy storehouse reckons,
1159 Hast thou nought to give thy child!" Flames of rapture now dart through him,
1160 And he longs for nothing more, While the mother seemeth to him
1161 Lovely as the maid of yore.
1162 But he hears his servants blowing,
1163 And bethinks him of his bride; And ere long, while onward going,
1164 Chances past a fair to ride; In the booths he forthwith buys him
1165 For his mistress many a pledge; But, alas! some Jews surprise him,
1166 And long-standing debts allege.
1167 And the courts of justice duly
1168 Send the knight to prison straight. Oh accursed story, truly!
1169 For a hero, what a fate! Can my patience such things weather?
1170 Great is my perplexity. Women, debts, and foes together,--
1171 Ah, no knight escapes scot free!
WEDDING SONG.
1172 The tale of the Count our glad song shall record
1173 Who had in this castle his dwelling, Where now ye are feasting the new-married lord,
1174 His grandson of whom we are telling. The Count as Crusader had blazon'd his fame, Through many a triumph exalted his name, And when on his steed to his dwelling he came,
1175 His castle still rear'd its proud head, But servants and wealth had all fled.
1176 'Tis true that thou, Count, hast return'd to thy home,
1177 But matters are faring there ill. The winds through the chambers at liberty roam,
1178 And blow through the windows at will What's best to be done in a cold autumn night? Full many I've pass'd in more piteous plight; The morn ever settles the matter aright.
1179 Then quick, while the moon shines so clear,
1180 To bed on the straw, without fear,
1181 And whilst in a soft pleasing slumber he lay,
1182 A motion he feels 'neath his bed. The rat, an he likes it, may rattle away!
1183 Ay, had he but crumbs there outspread! But lo! there appears a diminutive wight, A dwarf 'tis, yet graceful, and bearing a light, With orator-gestures that notice invite,
1184 At the feet of the Count on the floor
1185 Who sleeps not, though weary full sore.
1186 "We've long been accustom'd to hold here our feast,
1187 Since thou from thy castle first went; And as we believed thou wert far in the East,
1188 To revel e'en now we were bent. And if thou'lt allow it, and seek not to chide, We dwarfs will all banquet with pleasure and pride, To honour the wealthy, the beautiful bride
1189 Says the Count with a smile, half-asleep;--
1190 "Ye're welcome your quarters to keep!"
1191 Three knights then advance, riding all in a group,
1192 Who under the bed were conceal'd; And then is a singing and noise-making troop
1193 Of strange little figures reveal'd; And waggon on waggon with all kinds of things-- The clatter they cause through the ear loudly rings-- The like ne'er was seen save in castles of kings;
1194 At length, in a chariot of gold,
1195 The bride and the guests too, behold!
1196 Then all at full gallop make haste to advance,
1197 Each chooses his place in the hall; With whirling and waltzing, and light joyous dance,
1198 They begin with their sweethearts the ball. The fife and the fiddle all merrily sound, Thy twine, and they glide, and with nimbleness bound, Thy whisper, and chatter, and, chatter around;
1199 The Count on the scene casts his eye,
1200 And seems in a fever to lie.
1201 They hustle, and bustle, and rattle away
1202 On table, on bench, and on stool; Then all who had joined in the festival gay
1203 With their partners attempt to grow cool. The hams and the sausages nimbly they bear, And meat, fish, and poultry in plenty are there, Surrounded with wine of the vintage most rare:
1204 And when they have revell'd full long,
1205 They vanish at last with a song.
1206 And if we're to sing all that further occurr'd,
1207 Pray cease ye to bluster and prate; For what he so gladly in small saw and heard
1208 He enjoy'd and he practis'd in great. For trumpets, and singing, and shouts without end On the bridal-train, chariots and horsemen attend, They come and appear, and they bow and they bend,
1209 In merry and countless array.
1210 Thus was it, thus is it to-day.
THE TREASURE-DIGGER
1211 All my weary days I pass'd
1212 Sick at heart and poor in purse.
1213 Poverty's the greatest curse,
1214 Riches are the highest good! And to end my woes at last,
1215 Treasure-seeking forth I sped.
1216 "Thou shalt have my soul instead!"
1217 Thus I wrote, and with my blood.
1218 Ring round ring I forthwith drew,
1219 Wondrous flames collected there,
1220 Herbs and bones in order fair,
1221 Till the charm had work'd aright. Then, to learned precepts true,
1222 Dug to find some treasure old,
1223 In the place my art foretold
1224 Black and stormy was the night.
1225 Coming o'er the distant plain,
1226 With the glimmer of a star,
1227 Soon I saw a light afar,
1228 As the hour of midnight knell'd. Preparation was in vain.
1229 Sudden all was lighted up
1230 With the lustre of a cup
1231 That a beauteous boy upheld.
1232 Sweetly seem'd his eves to laugh
1233 Neath his flow'ry chaplet's load;
1234 With the drink that brightly glow'd,
1235 He the circle enter'd in. And he kindly bade me quaff:
1236 Then methought "This child can ne'er,
1237 With his gift so bright and fair,
1238 To the arch-fiend be akin."
1239 "Pure life's courage drink!" cried he: "This advice to prize then learn,--
1240 Never to this place return
1241 Trusting in thy spells absurd; Dig no longer fruitlessly.
1242 Guests by night, and toil by day!
1243 Weeks laborious, feast-days gay!
1244 Be thy future magic-word!
THE RAT-CATCHER.
1245 I am the bard known far and wide, The travell'd rat-catcher beside; A man most needful to this town, So glorious through its old renown. However many rats I see, How many weasels there may be, I cleanse the place from ev'ry one, All needs must helter-skelter run.
1246 Sometimes the bard so full of cheer As a child-catcher will appear, Who e'en the wildest captive brings, Whene'er his golden tales he sings. However proud each boy in heart, However much the maidens start, I bid the chords sweet music make, And all must follow in my wake.
1247 Sometimes the skilful bard ye view In the form of maiden-catcher too; For he no city enters e'er, Without effecting wonders there. However coy may be each maid, However the women seem afraid, Yet all will love-sick be ere long To sound of magic lute and song.
[Da Capo.] 1803.* -----
THE SPINNER.
1248 As I calmly sat and span,
1249 Toiling with all zeal, Lo! a young and handsome man
1250 Pass'd my spinning-wheel.
1251 And he praised,--what harm was there?--
1252 Sweet the things he said-- Praised my flax-resembling hair,
1253 And the even thread.
1254 He with this was not content,
1255 But must needs do more; And in twain the thread was rent,
1256 Though 'twas safe before.
1257 And the flax's stonelike weight
1258 Needed to be told; But no longer was its state
1259 Valued as of old.
1260 When I took it to the weaver,
1261 Something felt I start, And more quickly, as with fever,
1262 Throbb'd my trembling heart.
1263 Then I bear the thread at length
1264 Through the heat, to bleach; But, alas, I scarce have strength
1265 To the pool to reach.
1266 What I in my little room
1267 Span so fine and slight,-- As was likely. I presume--
1268 Came at last to light.
BEFORE A COURT OF JUSTICE.
1269 The father's name ye ne'er shall be told
1270 Of my darling unborn life; "Shame, shame," ye cry, "on the strumpet bold!"
1271 Yet I'm an honest wife.
1272 To whom I'm wedded, ye ne'er shall be told,
1273 Yet he's both loving and fair; He wears on his neck a chain of gold,
1274 And a hat of straw doth he wear.
1275 If scorn 'tis vain to seek to repel,
1276 On me let the scorn be thrown. I know him well, and he knows me well,
1277 And to God, too, all is known.
1278 Sir Parson and Sir Bailiff, again,
1279 I pray you, leave me in peace! My child it is, my child 'twill remain,
1280 So let your questionings cease!
THE PAGE AND THE MILLER'S DAUGHTER.
PAGE.
1281 Where goest thou? Where? Miller's daughter so fair!
1282 Thy name, pray?--
MILLER'S DAUGHTER.
1283 'Tis Lizzy.
1284 PAGE. Where goest thou? Where? With the rake in thy hand?
1285 MILLER'S DAUGHTER. Father's meadows and land
1286 To visit, I'm busy.
1287 PAGE. Dost go there alone?
1288 MILLER'S DAUGHTER. By this rake, sir, 'tis shown
1289 That we're making the hay; And the pears ripen fast In the garden at last,
1290 So I'll pick them to-day.
1291 PAGE. Is't a silent thicket I yonder view?
1292 MILLER'S DAUGHTER. Oh, yes! there are two; There's one on each side.
1293 PAGE. I'll follow thee soon; When the sun burns at noon We'll go there, o'urselves from his rays to hide, And then in some glade all-verdant and deep--
1294 MILLER'S DAUGHTER. Why, people would say--
1295 PAGE. Within mine arms thou gently wilt sleep.
1296 MILLER'S DAUGHTER.
1297 Your pardon, I pray! Whoever is kiss'd by the miller-maid, Upon the spot must needs be betray'd.
1298 'Twould give me distress
1299 To cover with white Your pretty dark dress. Equal with equal! then all is right! That's the motto in which I delight. I am in love with the miller-boy; He wears nothing that I could destroy.
1300 1797. ----- THE YOUTH AND THE MILLSTREAM.
[This sweet Ballad, and the one entitled The Maid of the Mill's Repentance, were written on the occasion of a visit paid by Goethe to Switzerland. The Maid of the Mill's Treachery, to which the latter forms the sequel, was not written till the following year.]
YOUTH.
1301 Say, sparkling streamlet, whither thou
1302 Art going! With joyous mien thy waters now
1303 Are flowing. Why seek the vale so hastily? Attend for once, and answer me!
MILLSTREAM.
1304 Oh youth, I was a brook indeed;
1305 But lately My bed they've deepen'd, and my speed
1306 Swell'd greatly, That I may haste to yonder mill. And so I'm full and never still.
YOUTH.
1307 The mill thou seekest in a mood
1308 Contented, And know'st not how my youthful blood
1309 'S tormented. But doth the miller's daughter fair Gaze often on thee kindly there?
MILLSTREAM.
1310 She opes the shutters soon as light
1311 Is gleaming; And comes to bathe her features bright
1312 And beaming. So full and snow-white is her breast,-- I feel as hot as steam suppress'd.
YOUTH.
1313 If she in water can inflame
1314 Such ardour, Surely, then, flesh and blood to tame
1315 Is harder. When once is seen her beauteous face, One ever longs her steps to trace.
MILLSTREAM.
1316 Over the wheel I, roaring, bound,
1317 All-proudly, And ev'ry spoke whirls swiftly round,
1318 And loudly. Since I have seen the miller's daughter, With greater vigour flows the water.
YOUTH.
1319 Like others, then, can grief, poor brook,
1320 Oppress thee? "Flow on!"--thus she'll, with smiling look,
1321 Address thee. With her sweet loving glance, oh say, Can she thy flowing current stay?
MILLSTREAM.
1322 'Tis sad, 'tis sad to have to speed
1323 From yonder; I wind, and slowly through the mead
1324 Would wander; And if the choice remain'd with me, Would hasten back there presently.
YOUTH.
1325 Farewell, thou who with me dost prove
1326 Love's sadness! Perchance some day thou'lt breathe of love
1327 And gladness. Go, tell her straight, and often too, The boy's mute hopes and wishes true.
1328 1797. -----
THE MAID OF THE MILL'S TREACHERY.
[This Ballad is introduced in the Wanderjahre, in a tale called The Foolish Pilgrim.]
1329 Whence comes our friend so hastily,
1330 When scarce the Eastern sky is grey? Hath he just ceased, though cold it be,
1331 In yonder holy spot to pray? The brook appears to hem his path,
1332 Would he barefooted o'er it go? Why curse his orisons in wrath,
1333 Across those heights beclad with snow?
1334 Alas! his warm bed he bath left,
1335 Where he had look'd for bliss, I ween; And if his cloak too, had been reft,
1336 How fearful his disgrace had been! By yonder villain sorely press'd,
1337 His wallet from him has been torn; Our hapless friend has been undress'd,
1338 Left well nigh naked as when born.
1339 The reason why he came this road,
1340 Is that he sought a pair of eyes, Which, at the mill, as brightly glow'd
1341 As those that are in Paradise. He will not soon again be there;
1342 From out the house he quickly hied, And when he gain'd the open air,
1343 Thus bitterly and loudly cried
1344 "Within her gaze, so dazzling bright,
1345 No word of treachery I could read; She seem'd to see me with delight,
1346 Yet plann'd e'en then this cruel deed! Could I, when basking in her smile,
1347 Dream of the treason in her breast? She bade kind Cupid stay awhile,
1348 And he was there, to make us blest.
1349 "To taste of love's sweet ecstasy
1350 Throughout the night, that endless seem'd, And for her mother's help to cry
1351 Only when morning sunlight beam'd! A dozen of her kith and kin,
1352 A very human flood, in-press'd Her cousins came, her aunts peer'd in,
1353 And uncles, brothers, and the rest.
1354 "Then what a tumult, fierce and loud!
1355 Each seem'd a beast of prey to be; The maiden's honour all the crowd,
1356 With fearful shout, demand of me. Why should they, madmen-like, begin
1357 To fall upon a guiltless youth? For he who such a prize would win,
1358 Far nimbler needs must be, in truth.
1359 "The way to follow up with skill
1360 His freaks, by love betimes is known: He ne'er will leave, within a mill,
1361 Sweet flowers for sixteen years alone.-- They stole my clothes away,--yes, all!
1362 And tried my cloak besides to steal. How strange that any house so small
1363 So many rascals could conceal!
1364 "Then I sprang up, and raved, and swore,
1365 To force a passage through them there. I saw the treacherous maid once more,
1366 And she was still, alas, so fair They all gave way before my wrath,
1367 Wild outcries flew about pell-mell; At length I managed to rush forth,
1368 With voice of thunder, from that hell.
1369 "As maidens of the town we fly,
1370 We'll shun you maidens of the village; Leave it to those of quality
1371 Their humble worshippers to pillage. Yet if ye are of practised skill,
1372 And of all tender ties afraid, Exchange your lovers, if ye will,
1373 But never let them be betray'd."
1374 Thus sings he in the winter-night,
1375 While not a blade of grass was green. I laugh'd to see his piteous plight,
1376 For it was well-deserved, I ween. And may this be the fate of all,
1377 Who treat by day their true loves ill, And, with foolhardy daring, crawl
1378 By night to Cupid's treacherous mill!
THE MAID OF THE MILL'S REPENTANCE.
YOUTH.
1379 Away, thou swarthy witch! Go forth
1380 From out my house, I tell thee! Or else I needs must, in my wrath,
1381 Expel thee! What's this thou singest so falsely, forsooth, Of love and a maiden's silent truth?
1382 Who'll trust to such a story!
GIPSY.
1383 I sing of a maid's repentant fears,
1384 And long and bitter yearning; Her levity's changed to truth and tears
1385 All-burning. She dreads no more the threats of her mother, She dreads far less the blows of her brother,
1386 Than the dearly loved-one's hatred.
YOUTH.
1387 Of selfishness sing and treacherous lies,
1388 Of murder and thievish plunder! Such actions false will cause no surprise,
1389 Or wonder. When they share their booty, both clothes and purse,-- As bad as you gipsies, and even worse,
1390 Such tales find ready credence.
GIPSY.
1391 "Alas, alas! oh what have I done?
1392 Can listening aught avail me? I hear him toward my room hasten on,
1393 To hail me. My heart beat high, to myself I said: 'O would that thou hadst never betray'd
1394 That night of love to thy mother!'"
YOUTH.
1395 Alas! I foolishly ventured there,
1396 For the cheating silence misled me; Ah, sweetest! let me to thee repair,--
1397 Nor dread me! When suddenly rose a fearful din, Her mad relations came pouring in.
1398 My blood still boils in my body!
GIPSY.
1399 "Oh when will return an hour like this?
1400 I pine in silent sadness; I've thrown away my only true bliss
1401 With madness. Alas, poor maid! O pity my youth! My brother was then full cruel in troth
1402 To treat the loved one so basely!"
THE POET.
1403 The swarthy woman then went inside,
1404 To the spring in the courtyard yonder; Her eyes from their stain she purified,
1405 And,--wonder!-- Her face and eyes were radiant and bright, And the maid of the mill was disclosed to the sight
1406 Of the startled and angry stripling!
THE MAID OF THE MILL.
1407 Thou sweetest, fairest, dearly-loved life!
1408 Before thine anger I cower; But blows I dread not, nor sharp-edged knife,--
1409 This hour Of sorrow and love to thee I'll sing, And myself before thy feet I'll fling,
1410 And either live or die there!
YOUTH.
1411 Affection, say, why buried so deep
1412 In my heart hast thou lain hidden? By whom hast thou now to awake from thy sleep
1413 Been bidden? Ah love, that thou art immortal I see! Nor knavish cunning nor treachery
1414 Can destroy thy life so godlike.
THE MAID OF THE MILL.
1415 If still with as fond and heartfelt love,
1416 As thou once didst swear, I'm cherish'd, Then nought of the rapture we used to prove
1417 Is perish'd. So take the woman so dear to thy breast! In her young and innocent charms be blest,
1418 For all are thine from henceforward!
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