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