The Poems of Goethe - LightNovelsOnl.com
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You maidens with war; Her twofold charms pledges .
Of victory are.
1803.
----- LOVER IN ALL SHAPES.
To be like a fish, Brisk and quick, is my wish; If thou cam'st with thy line.
Thou wouldst soon make me thine.
To be like a fish, Brisk and quick, is my wish.
Oh, were I a steed!
Thou wouldst love me indeed.
Oh, were I a car Fit to bear thee afar!
Oh, were I a steed!
Thou wouldst love me indeed.
I would I were gold That thy fingers might hold!
If thou boughtest aught then, I'd return soon again.
I would I were gold That thy fingers might hold!
I would I were true, And my sweetheart still new!
To be faithful I'd swear, And would go away ne'er.
I would I were true, And my sweetheart still new!
I would I were old, And wrinkled and cold, So that if thou said'st No, I could stand such a blow!
I would I were old, And wrinkled and cold.
An ape I would be, Full of mischievous glee; If aught came to vex thee, I'd plague and perplex thee.
An ape I would be, Full of mischievous glee
As a lamb I'd behave, As a lion be brave, As a lynx clearly see, As a fox cunning be.
As a lamb I'd behave, As a lion be brave.
Whatever I were, All on thee I'd confer; With the gifts of a prince My affection evince.
Whatever I were, All on thee I'd confer.
As nought diff'rent can make me, As I am thou must take me!
If I'm not good enough, Thou must cut thine own stuff.
As nought diff'rent can make me, As I am thou must take me!
1815.*
----- THE GOLDSMITH'S APPRENTICE.
My neighbour, none can e'er deny,
Is a most beauteous maid; Her shop is ever in mine eye,
When working at my trade.
To ring and chain I hammer then
The wire of gold a.s.say'd, And think the while: "For Kate, oh when
Will such a ring be made?"
And when she takes her shutters down,
Her shop at once invade, To buy and haggle, all the town,
For all that's there displayd.
I file, and maybe overfile
The wire of gold a.s.say'd; My master grumbles all the while,--
Her shop the mischief made.
To ply her wheel she straight begins,
When not engaged in trade; I know full well for what she spins,--
'Tis hope guides that dear maid.
Her leg, while her small foot treads on,
Is in my mind portray'd; Her garter I recall anon,--
I gave it that dear maid.
Then to her lips the finest thread
Is by her hand convey'd.
Were I there only in its stead,
How I would kiss the maid!
1808.
----- ANSWERS IN A GAME OF QUESTIONS.
THE LADY.
IN the small and great world too,
What most charms a woman's heart?
It is doubtless what is new,
For its blossoms joy impart; n.o.bler far is what is true,
