LightNovesOnl.com

The Poems of Goethe Part 50

The Poems of Goethe - LightNovelsOnl.com

You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.

In the place my art foretold

Black and stormy was the night.

Coming o'er the distant plain,

With the glimmer of a star,

Soon I saw a light afar,

As the hour of midnight knell'd.

Preparation was in vain.

Sudden all was lighted up

With the l.u.s.tre of a cup

That a beauteous boy upheld.

Sweetly seem'd his eves to laugh

Neath his flow'ry chaplet's load;

With the drink that brightly glow'd,

He the circle enter'd in.

And he kindly bade me quaff:

Then methought "This child can ne'er,

With his gift so bright and fair,

To the arch-fiend be akin."

"Pure life's courage drink!" cried he: "This advice to prize then learn,--

Never to this place return

Trusting in thy spells absurd; Dig no longer fruitlessly.

Guests by night, and toil by day!

Weeks laborious, feast-days gay!

Be thy future magic-word!

1797.

----- THE RAT-CATCHER.

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.

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.

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.

As I calmly sat and span,

Toiling with all zeal, Lo! a young and handsome man

Pa.s.s'd my spinning-wheel.

And he praised,--what harm was there?--

Sweet the things he said-- Praised my flax-resembling hair,

And the even thread.

He with this was not content,

But must needs do more; And in twain the thread was rent,

Though 'twas safe before.

And the flax's stonelike weight

Needed to be told; But no longer was its state

Valued as of old.

When I took it to the weaver,

Something felt I start, And more quickly, as with fever,

Throbb'd my trembling heart.

Then I bear the thread at length

Through the heat, to bleach; But, alas, I scarce have strength

To the pool to reach.

Click Like and comment to support us!

RECENTLY UPDATED NOVELS

About The Poems of Goethe Part 50 novel

You're reading The Poems of Goethe by Author(s): Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. This novel has been translated and updated at LightNovelsOnl.com and has already 508 views. And it would be great if you choose to read and follow your favorite novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest novels, a novel list updates everyday and free. LightNovelsOnl.com is a very smart website for reading novels online, friendly on mobile. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or just simply leave your comment so we'll know how to make you happy.