首页 >出版文学> The Poems of Goethe>第5章
  THEMAIDOFTHEMILL’SREPENTANCE。
  YOUTH。
  AWAY,thouswarthywitch!GoforthFromoutmyhouse,Itellthee!
  OrelseIneedsmust,inmywrath,Expelthee!
  What’sthisthousingestsofalsely,forsooth,Ofloveandamaiden’ssilenttruth?
  Who’lltrusttosuchastory!
  GIPSY。
  Isingofamaid’srepentantfears,Andlongandbitteryearning。
  Herlevity’schangedtotruthandtearsAll-burning。
  Shedreadsnomorethethreatsofhermother,Shedreadsfarlesstheblowsofherbrother,Thanthedearlyloved-one’shatred。
  YOUTH。
  Ofselfishnesssingandtreacherouslies,Ofmurderandthievishplunder!
  Suchactionsfalsewillcausenosurprise,Orwonder。
  Whentheysharetheirbooty,bothclothesandpurse,——
  Asbadasyougipsies,andevenworse,Suchtalesfindreadycredence。
  GIPSY。
  Alas,alas!ohwhathaveIdone?
  Canlisteningaughtavailme?
  Ihearhimtowardmyroomhastenon,Tohailme。
  Myheartbeathigh,tomyselfIsaid:
  ’Owouldthatthouhadstneverbetray’dThatnightoflovetothymother!’
  YOUTH。
  Alas!Ifoolishlyventuredthere,Forthecheatingsilencemisledme。
  Ah,sweetest!letmetotheerepair,——
  Nordreadme!
  Whensuddenlyroseafearfuldin,Hermadrelationscamepouringin。
  Mybloodstillboilsinmybody!
  GIPSY。
  Ohwhenwillreturnanhourlikethis?
  Ipineinsilentsadness。
  I’vethrownawaymyonlytrueblissWithmadness。
  Alas,poormaid!Opitymyyouth!
  MybrotherwasthenfullcruelintrothTotreatthelovedonesobasely!
  THEPOET。
  Theswarthywomanthenwentinside,Tothespringinthecourtyardyonder。
  Hereyesfromtheirstainshepurified,And,——wonder!——
  Herfaceandeyeswereradiantandbright,AndthemaidofthemillwasdisclosedtothesightOfthestartledandangrystripling!
  THEMAIDOFTHEMILL。
  Thousweetest,fairest,dearly-lovedlife!
  BeforethineangerIcower。
  ButblowsIdreadnot,norsharp-edgedknife,——
  ThishourOfsorrowandlovetotheeI’llsing,AndmyselfbeforethyfeetI’llfling,Andeitherliveordiethere!
  YOUTH。
  Affection,say,whyburiedsodeepInmyhearthastthoulainhidden?
  BywhomhastthounowtoawakefromthysleepBeenbidden?
  Ahlove,thatthouartimmortalIsee!
  NorknavishcunningnortreacheryCandestroythylifesogodlike。
  THEMAIDOFTHEMILL。
  Ifstillwithasfondandheartfeltlove,Asthouoncedidstswear,I’mcherish’d,ThennoughtoftheraptureweusedtoproveIsperish’d。
  Sotakethewomansodeartothybreast!
  Inheryoungandinnocentcharmsbeblest,Forallarethinefromhenceforward!
  BOTH。
  Now,sun,sinktorest!Now,sun,arise!
  Yestars,benowshining,nowdarkling!
  Astaroflovenowgleamsintheskies,All-sparkling!
  Aslongasthefountainmayspringandrun,Solongwillwetwobeblendedinone,Uponeachother’sbosoms!
  1797——
  THETRAVELLERANDTHEFARM~MAIDEN。
  HE。
  CANSTthougive,ohfairandmatchlessmaiden,’Neaththeshadowofthelindensyonder,——
  WhereI’dfainonemomentceasetowander,——
  Foodanddrinktoonesoheavyladen?
  SHE。
  Wouldstthoufindrefreshment,travellerweary,Bread,ripefruitandcreamtomeetthywishes,——
  NonebutNature’splainandhomelydishes,——
  Nearthespringmaysoothethywanderingsdreary。
  HE。
  Dreamsofoldacquaintancenowpassthroughme,Ne’er-forgottenqueenofhoursofblisses。
  LikenessesI’veoftenfound,butthisisOnethatquiteamarvelseemethtome!
  SHE。
  Travellersoftenwonderbeyondmeasure,Buttheirwondersoonseecausetosmother。
  Fairanddarkareoftenlikeeachother,Bothinspirethemindwithequalpleasure。
  HE。
  NotnowforthefirsttimeIsurrenderTothisform,inhumbleadoration。
  ItwasbrightestmidsttheconstellationInthehailadorn’dwithfestalsplendour。
  SHE。
  Bethoujoyfulthat’tisinmypowerTocompletethystrangeandmerrystory!
  Silksbehindher,fullofpurpleglory,Floated,whenthousaw’stherinthathour。
  HE。
  No,intruth,thouhastnotsungitrightly!
  Spiritsmayhavetoldtheeallaboutit。
  Pearlsandgemstheyspokeof,donotdoubtit,——
  Byhergazeeclipsed,——itgleam’dsobrightly!
  SHE。
  ThisonethingIcertainlycollected:
  Thatthefairone——saynought,Ientreatthee!
  Fondlyhopingonceagaintomeetthee,Manyacastleintheairerected。
  HE。
  ByeachwindIceaselesslywasdriven,Seekinggoldandhonour,too,tocapture!
  Whenmywand’ringsend,thenoh,whatrapture,Iftofindthatformagain’tisgiven!
  SHE。
  ’Tisthedaughteroftheracenowbanish’dThatthouseest,notherlikenessonly。
  Helenandherbrother,gladthoughlonely,Tillthisfarmoftheirestatenowvanish’d。
  HE。
  ButtheownersurelyisnotwantingOftheseplains,withev’rybeautyteeming?
  Verdantfields,broadmeads,andpasturesgleaming,Gushingsprings,allheav’nlyandenchanting。
  SHE。
  Thoumusthunttheworldthrough,wouldstthoufindhim!——
  Wehavewealthenoughinourpossession,Andintendtopurchasethesuccession,Whenthegoodmanleavestheworldbehindhim。
  HE。
  Ihavelearnttheowner’sowncondition,And,fairmaiden,thouindeedcanstbuyit。
  Butthecostisgreat,Iwon’tdenyit,——
  Helenistheprice,——withthypermission!
  SHE。
  Didthenfateandrankkeepusasunder,AndmustLovetakethisroad,andnoother?
  Yondercomesmydearandtrustybrother。
  Whatwillhesaytoitall,Iwonder?
  1803。*——
  EFFECTSATADISTANCE。
  THEqueenintheloftyhalltakesherplace,Thetapersaroundherareflaming。
  Shespeakstothepage:WithanimblepaceGo,fetchmemypurseforgaming。
  ’Tislying,I’llpledge,Onmytable’sedge。
  Eachnervethenimbleboystraineth,Andtheendofthecastlesoongaineth。
  ThefairestofmaidenswassippingsherbetBesidethequeenthatminute。
  Nearhermouthbrokethecup,——andshegotsowet!
  Theverydevilseem’dinitWhatfearfuldistress’Tisspoilt,hergaydress。
  Shehastens,andev’rynervestraineth,Andtheendofthecastlesoongaineth。
  Theboywasreturning,andquicklycame,Andmetthesorrowingmaiden。
  Noneknewofthefact,——andyetwithLove’sflame,Thosetwohadtheirheartsfullladen。
  And,ohtheblissOfamomentlikethis!
  Eachfallsonthebreastoftheother,Withkissesthatwellnighmightsmother。
  Theytearthemselvesasunderatlast,Toherchambershehastensquickly,Toreachthequeenthepagehieshimfast,Midsttheswordsandthefanscrowdedthickly。
  ThequeenspiedamainOnhiswaistcoatastain。
  Fornoughtwasinscrutabletoher,LikeSheba’squeen——Solomon’swooer。
  ToherchiefattendantsheforthwithcriedWelatelytogethercontended,Andthoudidstassert,withobstinatepride,Thatthespiritthroughspaceneverwended,——
  ThattracesaloneBythepresentwereshown,——
  Thatafarnoughtwasfashion’d——notevenBythestarsthatillumineyouheaven。
  Nowsee!whileagobletbesidemetheydrain’d,Theyspiltallthedrinkinthechalice。
  Andstraightwaytheboyhadhiswaistcoatstain’dAtthefurthermostendofthepalace——
  Letthemnewlybeclad!
  AndsinceIamgladThatitservedasaproofsodecided,Thecostwillbymebeprovided。
  1808——
  THEWALKINGBELL
  ACHILDrefusedtogobetimesTochurchlikeotherpeople。
  Heroam’dabroad,whenrangthechimesOnSundaysfromthesteeple。
  Hismothersaid:Loudringsthebell,Itsvoicene’erthinkofscorning。
  Unlessthouwiltbehavetheewell,’Twillfetchtheewithoutwarning。
  Thechildthenthought:HighoverheadThebellissafesuspended——
  SotothefieldshestraightwayspedAsif’twasschool-timeended。
  Thebellnowceas’dasbelltoring,Rousedbythemother’stwaddle。
  Butsoonensuedadreadfulthing!——
  Thebellbeginstowaddle。
  Itwaddlesfast,thoughstrangeitseem。
  Thechild,withtremblingwonder,Runsoff,andflies,asinadream。
  Thebellwoulddrawhimunder。
  Hefindsthepropertimeatlast,AndstraightwaynimblyrushesTochurch,tochapel,hasteningfastThroughpastures,plains,andbushes。
  EachSundayandeachfeastaswell,Hislatedisasterheedshe。
  Themomentthathebearsthebell,Noothersummonsneedshe。
  1813——
  FAITHFULECKART,OH,wouldwewerefurther!Oh,wouldwewerehome,Thephantomsofnighttow’rdushastilycome,ThebandoftheSorceresssisters。
  Theyhitherwardspeed,andonfindingushere,They’lldrink,thoughwithtoilwehavefetch’dit,thebeer,Andleaveusthepitchersallempty。
  Thusspeaking,thechildrenwithfeartaketoflight,Whensuddenanoldmanappearsintheirsight:
  Bequiet,child!children,bequiet!
  Fromhuntingtheycome,andtheirthirsttheywouldstill,Soleavethemtoswallowasmuchastheywill,AndtheEvilOnesthenwillbegracious。
  Assaid,so’twasdone!andthephantomsdrawnear,Andshadowlikeseemthey,andgreytheyappear,~YetblithelytheysipandtheyrevelThebeerhasallvanish’d,thepitchersarevoid。
  Withcriesandwithshoutsthewildhunters,o’erjoy’d,Speedonwardo’ervaleando’ermountain。
  Thechildreninterrorflynimblytow’rdhome,Andwiththemthekindoneiscarefultocome:
  Mydarlings,oh,benotsomournful!——
  They’llblameusandbeatus,untilwearedead——
  No,no!yewillfindthatallgoeswell,hesaid。
  Besilentasmice,then,andlisten!
  Andhebywhosecounselsthuswiselyye’retaught,Ishewhowithchildrenlovesevertosport。
  ThetrustyandfaithfuloldEckart。
  Yehaveheardofthewonderformanyaday,Butne’erhadaproofofthemarvellouslay,——
  Yourhandsholdaproofmostconvincing。
  Theyarriveattheirhome,andtheirpitcherstheyplaceBythesideoftheirparents,withfearontheirface,Awaitingabeatingandscolding。
  Butseewhatthey’retasting:thechoicestofbeer!
  ThoughthreetimesandfourtimestheyquaffthegoodcheerThepitchersremainstillunemptied。
  Themarvelitlaststillthedawningofday。
  Allpeoplewhohearofitdoubtlesswillsay:
  Whathappen’datlengthtothepitchers?
  Insecretthechildrentheysmile,astheywait。
  Atlast,though,theystammer,andstutter,andprate,Andstraightwaythepitcherswereempty。
  Andif,children,withkindnessaddress’dyemaybe,Whetherfather,ormaster,oraldermanhe,Obeyhim,andfollowhisbidding!
  Andif’tisunpleasanttobridlethetongue,Yettalkingisbad,silencegoodfortheyoung——
  Andthenwillthebeerfillyourpitchers!
  1813——
  THEDANCEOFDEATH。
  THEwarderlooksdownatthemidhourofnight,Onthetombsthatliescatter’dbelow:
  Themoonfillstheplacewithhersilverylight,Andthechurchyardlikedayseemstoglow。
  Whensee!firstonegrave,thenanotheropeswide,Andwomenandmensteppingfortharedescried,Incerementssnow-whiteandtrailing。
  Inhasteforthesportsoontheiranklestheytwitch,Andwhirlroundindancessogay。
  Theyoungandtheold,andthepoor,andtherich,Butthecerementsstandintheirway。
  Andasmodestycannotavailthemaughthere,Theyshakethemselvesall,andtheshroudssoonappearScatter’doverthetombsinconfusion。
  Nowwagglestheleg,andnowwrigglesthethigh,Asthetroopwithstrangegesturesadvance,Andarattleandclatteranonriseshigh,Asofonebeatingtimetothedance。
  Thesighttothewarderseemswondrouslyqueer,WhenthevillainousTempterspeaksthusinhisear:
  Seizeoneoftheshroudsthatlieyonder!
  Quickasthoughtitwasdone!andforsafetyhefledBehindthechurch-doorwithallspeed。
  ThemoonstillcontinuesherclearlighttoshedOnthedancethattheyfearfullylead。
  Butthedancersatlengthdisappearonebyone,Andtheirshrouds,eretheyvanish,theycarefullydon,Andundertheturfallisquiet。
  Butoneofthemstumblesandshufflestherestill,Andgropesatthegravesindespair。
  Yet’tisbynocomradehe’streatedsoillTheshroudhesoonscentsintheair。
  Soherattlesthedoor——forthewarder’tiswellThat’tisbless’d,andsoablethefoetorepel,Allcover’dwithcrossesinmetal。
  Theshroudhemusthave,andnorestwillallow,Thereremainsforreflectionnotime。
  OntheornamentsGothicthewightseizesnow,Andfrompointontopointhastestoclimb。
  Alasforthewarder!hisdoomisdecreed!
  Likealong-leggedspider,withne’er-changingspeed,Advancesthedreadedpursuer。
  Thewarderhequakes,andthewarderturnspale,Theshroudtorestorefainhadsought。
  Whentheend,——nowcannothingtosavehimavail,——
  Inatoothformedofironiscaught。
  Withvanishinglustrethemoon’sraceisrun,WhenthebellthundersloudlyapowerfulOne,Andtheskeletonfails,crush’dtoatoms。
  1813——
  THEPUPILINMAGIC。
  IAMnow,——whatjoytohearit!——
  Oftheoldmagicianrid。
  Andhenceforthshallev’ryspiritDowhate’erbymeisbid。
  Ihavewatch’dwithrigourAllheusedtodo,AndwillnowwithvigourWorkmywonderstoo。
  Wander,wanderOnwardlightly,SothatrightlyFlowthetorrent,AndwithteemingwatersyonderInthebathdischargeitscurrent!
  Andnowcome,thouwell-wornbroom,Andthywretchedformbestir。
  Thouhasteverservedasgroom,Sofulfilmypleasure,sir!
  Ontwolegsnowstand,Withaheadontop。
  Waterpailinhand,Haste,anddonotstop!
  Wander,wanderOnwardlightly,SothatrightlyFlowthetorrent,AndwithteemingwatersyonderInthebathdischargeitscurrent!
  See!he’srunningtotheshore,Andhasnowattain’dthepool,AndwithlightningspeedoncemoreComeshere,withhisbucketfull!
  Backhethenrepairs。
  Seehowswellsthetide!
  HoweachpailhebearsStraightwayissupplied!
  Stop,for,lo!
  AllthemeasureOfthytreasureNowisright!——
  Ah,Iseeit!woe,ohwoe!
  Iforgetthewordofmight。
  Ah,thewordwhosesoundcanstraightMakehimwhathewasbefore!
  Ah,herunswithnimblegait!
  Wouldthouwertabroomoncemore!
  Streamsrenew’dforeverQuicklybringethhe。
  RiverafterriverRushethonpoorme!
  NownolongerCanIbearhim。
  Iwillsnarehim,Knavishsprite!
  Ah,myterrorwaxesstronger!
  Whatalook!whatfearfulsightOh,thouvillainchildofhell!
  Shallthehousethroughtheebedrown’dFloodsIseethatwildlyswell,O’erthethresholdgainingground。
  Wiltthounotobey,Oh,thoubroomaccurs’d?
  BethoustillIpray,Asthouwertatfirst!
  WillenoughNeverpleasethee?
  Iwillseizethee,Holdtheefast,Andthynimblewoodsotough,Withmysharpaxesplitatlast。
  See,oncemorehehastensback!
  Now,ohCobold,thoushaltcatchit!
  Iwillrushuponhistrack。
  Crashingonhimfallsmyhatchet。
  Bravelydone,indeed!
  See,he’scleftintwain!
  NowfromcareI’mfreed,Andcanbreatheagain。
  Woe,ohwoe!
  Boththeparts,Quickasdarts,Standonend,Servantsofmydreadedfoe!
  Oh,yegodsprotectionsend!
  Andtheyrun!andwetterstillGrowthestepsandgrowsthehail。
  Lordandmasterhearmecall!
  Everseemsthefloodtofill,Ah,he’scoming!see,Greatismydismay!
  SpiritsraisedbymeVainlywouldIlay!
  TothesideOftheroomHasten,broom,Asofold!
  SpiritsIhavene’eruntiedSavetoactastheyaretold。
  1797——
  THEBRIDEOFCORINTH。
  [FirstpublishedinSchiller’sHoren,inconnectionwithafriendlycontestintheartofballad-writingbetweenthetwogreatpoets,towhichmanyoftheirfinestworksareowing。]
  ONCEastrangeryouthtoCorinthcame,WhoinAthenslived,buthopedthatheFromacertaintownsmantheremightclaim,Ashisfather’sfriend,kindcourtesy。
  Sonanddaughter,theyHadbeenwonttosayShouldthereafterbrideandbridegroombe。
  Butcanhethatboonsohighlyprized,Savetisdearlybought,nowhopetoget?
  TheyareChristiansandhavebeenbaptized,Heandallofhisareheathensyet。
  Foranewborncreed,Likesomeloathsomeweed,Loveandtruthtorootoutoftwillthreat。
  Father,daughter,allhadgonetorest,Andthemotheronlywatcheslate。
  Shereceiveswithcourtesytheguest,Andconductshimtotheroomofstate。
  Wineandfoodarebrought,Erebyhimbesought。
  Biddinghimgoodnight。sheleaveshimstraight。
  Buthefeelsnorelishnow,intruth,Forthedaintiessoprofuselyspread。
  Meatanddrinkforgetstheweariedyouth,And,stilldress’d,helayshimonthebed。
  Scarceareclosedhiseyes,Whenaformin-hiesThroughtheopendoorwithsilenttread。
  ByhisglimmeringlampdiscernshenowHow,inveilandgarmentwhitearray’d,Withablackandgoldbandroundherbrow,Glidesintotheroomabashfulmaid。
  Butshe,athissight,Liftsherhandsowhite,Andappearsasthoughfullsoreafraid。
  AmI,criesshe,suchastrangerhere,Thattheguest’sapproachtheycouldnotname?
  Ah,theykeepmeinmycloisterdrear,WellnighfeelIvanquish’dbymyshame。
  OnthysoftcouchnowSlumbercalmlythou!
  I’llreturnasswiftlyasIcame。
  Stay,thoufairestmaiden!criestheboy,Startingfromhiscouchwitheagerhaste:
  HereareCeres’,Bacchus’giftsofjoy。
  Amorbringestthou,withbeautygrac’d!
  Thouartpalewithfear!
  LovedoneletushereProvetherapturestheImmortalstaste。
  Drawnotnigh,OYouth!afarremain!
  Rapturenowcanneversmileonme。
  Forthefatalstep,alas!ista’en,Throughmymother’ssick-bedphantasy。
  Cured,shemadethisoath:
  ’YouthandnaturebothShallhenceforthtoHeav’ndevotedbe。’
  Fromthehouse,sosilentnow,aredrivenAllthegodswhoreign’dsupremeofyore。
  OneInvisiblenowrulesinheaven,OnthecrossaSaviourtheyadore。
  Victimsslaytheyhere,Neitherlambnorsteer,Butthealtarsreekwithhumangore。
  Andhelists,andev’rywordheweighs,Whilehiseagersouldrinksineachsound:
  CanitbethatnowbeforemygazeStandsmylovedoneonthissilentground?
  Pledgetomethytroth!
  Throughourfather’soath:
  WithHeav’nsblessingwillourlovebecrown’d。
  Kindlyyouth,Inevercanbethine!
  ’Tismysistertheyintendforthee。
  WhenIinthesilentcloisterpine,Ah,withinherarmsrememberme!
  TheealoneIlove,Whilelove’spangsIprove。
  Soontheearthwillveilmymisery。
  No!forbythisglowingflameIswear,Hymenhathhimselfpropitiousshown:
  Letustomyfathershouserepair,Andthoultfindthatjoyisnotyetflown,Sweetest,herethenstay,AndwithoutdelayHoldwenowourweddingfeastalone!
  Thenexchangetheytokensoftheirtruth。
  Shegiveshimagoldenchaintowear,AndasilverchalicewouldtheyouthGiveherinreturnofbeautyrare。
  Thatisnotforme。
  YetIbegofthee,Onelockonlygivemeofthyhair。
  Nowtheghostlyhourofmidnightknell’d,Andsheseem’drightjoyousatthesign。
  Toherpallidlipsthecupsheheld,Butshedrankofnoughtbutblood-redwine。
  FortotastethebreadTherebeforethemspread,Noughthespokecouldmakethemaidincline。
  Totheyouththegobletthenshebrought,——
  Hetooquaff’dwitheagerjoythebowl。
  Lovetocrownthesilentfeasthesought,Ah!fulllove-sickwasthestripling’ssoul。
  Fromhisprayersheshrinks,TillatlengthhesinksOnthebedandweepswithoutcontrol。
  Andshecomes,andlaysherneartheboy:
  HowIgrievetoseetheesorrowingso!
  Ifthouthink’sttoclaspmyformwithjoy,Thoumustlearnthissecretsadtoknow。
  Yes!themaid,whomthouCall’stthylovedonenow,Isascoldasice,thoughwhiteassnow。
  Thenheclaspshermadlyinhisarm,Whilelove’syouthfulmightpervadeshisframe:
  Thoumight’sthope,whenwithme,togrowwarm,E’eniffromthegravethyspiritcame!
  Breathforbreath,andkiss!
  Overflowofbliss!
  Dostnotthou,likeme,feelpassion’sflame?
  Lovestillcloserrivetsnowtheirlips,Tearstheyminglewiththeirraptureblest,Fromhismouththeflameshewildlysips,Eachiswiththeother’sthoughtpossess’d。
  Hishotardour’sfloodWarmsherchillyblood,Butnoheartisbeatinginherbreast。
  Inhercaretoseethatnoughtwentwrong,Nowthemotherhappen’dtodrawnear。
  Atthedoorlonghearkensshe,fulllong,Wond’ringatthesoundsthatgreetherear。
  Tonesofjoyandsadness,Andlove’sblissfulmadness,Asofbrideandbridegroomtheyappear,Fromthedoorshewillnotnowremove’Tillshegainsfullcertaintyofthis。
  Andwithangerhearsshevowsoflove,Softcaressingwordsofmutualbliss。
  Hush!thecock’sloudstrain!
  Butthoultcomeagain,Whenthenightreturns!——thenkissonkiss。
  Thenherwraththemothercannothold,ButunfastensstraightthelockwitheaseInthishousearegirlsbecomesobold,Astoseeke’enstrangers’luststoplease?
  Byherlamp’sclearglowLooksshein,——andoh!
  Sightofhorror!——’tisherchildshesees。
  Faintheyouthwould,inhisfirstalarm,Withtheveilthato’erherhadbeenspread,Withthecarpet,shieldhislovefromharm。
  Butshecaststhemfromher,voidofdread,Andwithspirit’sstrength,Initsspectrelength,Liftsherfigureslowlyfromthebed。
  Mother!mother!——Thusherwanlipssay:
  MaynotIonenightofraptureshare?
  FromthewarmcouchamIchasedaway?
  DoIwakenonlytodespair?
  ItcontentsnottheeTohavedrivenmeAnuntimelyshroudofdeathtowear?
  Butfromoutmycoffin’sprison-boundsByawond’rousfateI’mforcedtorove,WhiletheblessingsandthechauntingsoundsThatyourpriestsdelightin,uselessprove。
  Water,salt,arevainFerventyouthtochain,Ah,e’enEarthcannevercooldownlove!
  Whenthatinfantvowoflovewasspoken,Venus’radianttemplesmiledonboth。
  Mother!thouthatpromisesincehastbroken,Fetter’dbyastrange,deceitfuloath。
  Gods,though,hearkenne’er,ShouldamotherswearTodenyherdaughter’splightedtroth。
  FrommygravetowanderIamforc’d,StilltoseekTheGood’slong-sever’dlink,StilltolovethebridegroomIhavelost,Andthelife-bloodofhishearttodrink。
  Whenhisraceisrun,Imusthastenon,Andtheyoungmust’neathmyvengeancesink,Beauteousyouth!nolongermaystthoulive。
  Heremustshrivelupthyformsofair。
  DidnotItotheeatokengive,Takinginreturnthislockofhair?
  Viewittothysorrow!
  Greythoultbeto-morrow,Onlytogrowbrownagainwhenthere。
  Mother,tothisfinalprayergiveear!
  Letafuneralpilebestraightwaydress’d。
  Openthenmycellsosadanddrear,Thattheflamesmaygivetheloversrest!
  WhenascendsthefireFromtheglowingpyre,Tothegodsofoldwe’llhasten,blest。
  1797——
  THEGODANDTHEBAYADERE。
  ANINDIANLEGEND。
  [ThisveryfineBalladwasalsofirstgivenintheHoren。]
  MAHADEVAisoneofthenumerousnamesofSeeva,thedestroyer,——
  thegreatgodoftheBrahmins。
  MAHADEVA,*LordofearthForthesixthtimecomesbelow,Asamanofmortalbirth,——
  Likehim,feelingjoyandwoe。
  Hitherloveshetorepair,Andhispowerbehindtoleave。
  Iftopunishortospare,Menasmanhe’dfainperceive。
  Andwhenhethetownasatrav’llerhathseen,Observingthemighty,regardingthemean,Hequitsit,togoonhisjourney,ateve。
  Hewasleavingnowtheplace,Whenanoutcastmethiseyes,——
  Fairinform,withpaintedface,——
  Wheresomestragglingdwellingsrise。
  Maiden,hail!——Thanks!welcomehere!
  Stay!——I’lljointheeintheroad。’
  Whoartthou?——ABayadere,Andthishouseislove’sabode。
  Thecymbalshehastenstoplayforthedance,Wellskill’dinitsmazesthesighttoentrance,Thenbyherwithgraceisthenosegaybestow’d。
  Thenshedrawshim,asinplay,O’erthethresholdeagerly:
  Beauteousstranger,lightasdayThoushaltsoonthiscottagesee。
  I’llrefreshthee,ifthou’rttired,Andwillbathethywearyfeet。
  Takewhate’erbythee’sdesired,Toying,rest,orrapturesweet——
  Shebusilyseekshisfeign’dsuff’ringstoease。
  ThensmilestheImmortal。withpleasureheseesThatwithkindnessaheartsocorruptedcanbeat。
  AndhemakesheractthepartOfaslave。he’sstraightobey’d。
  Whatatfirsthadbeenbutart,Soonisnatureinthemaid。
  Bydegreesthefruitwefind,Wherethebudsatfirstobtain。
  Whenobediencefillsthemind,Lovewillneverfarremain。
  Butsharperandsharperthemaidentoprove,TheDiscernerofallthingsbelowandabove,Feignspleasure,andhorror,andmaddeningpain。
  Andherpaintedcheekshekisses,Andhisvowsherheartenthrall。
  Feelinglove’ssharppangsandblisses,Soonhertearsbegintofall。
  Athisfeetshenowmustsink,Notwiththoughtsoflustorgain,——
  Andherslendermembersshrink,Anddevoidofpowerremain。
  AndsothebrighthourswithgladnessprepareTheirdark,pleasingveilofatexturesofair,Andoverthecouchsoftly,tranquillyreign。
  Lateshefallsasleep,thusbless’d,——
  Earlywakes,herslumbersfled,Andshefindsthemuch-lovedguestOnherbosomlyingdead。
  Screamingfallssheonhimthere,But,alas,toolatetosave!
  AndhisrigidlimbstheybearStraightwaytotheirfierygrave。
  Thenhearsshethepriestsandthefuneralsong,Thenmadlysheruns,andsheseversthethrong:
  Whypresstow’rdthepilethus?Whyscreamthus,andrave?
  Thenshesinksbesidehisbier,Andherscreamsthroughairresound:
  Imustseekmyspousesodear,E’enifinthegravehe’sbound。
  ShallthoselimbsofgracedivineFalltoashesinmysight?
  Minehewas!Yes,onlymine!
  Ah,onesingleblissfulnight!
  Thepriestschauntinchorus:Webearouttheold,Whenlongthey’vebeenweary,andlatethey’vegrowncold:
  Webearouttheyoung,too,sothoughtlessandlight。
  Tothypriests’commandsgiveear!
  Thisonewasthyhusbandne’er。
  LivestillasaBayadere,Andnodutythouneed’stshare。
  Todeathssilentrealmsfromlife,Nonebutshadesattendman’sframe,Withthehusband,nonebutwife,——
  Thatisduty,thatisfame。
  Yetrumpets,yoursacredlamenthastetoraiseOh,welcome,yegods,thebrightlustreofdays!
  Oh,welcometoheaventheyouthfromtheflame!
  ThusincreasedhertormentsareBythecruel,heartlessquire。
  AndwitharmsoutstretchingfarLeapssheontheglowingpyre。
  ButtheyouthdivineoutspringsFromtheflamewithheav’nlygrace,Andonhighhisflighthewings,Whilehisarmshisloveembrace。
  InthesinnerrepentanttheGodheadfeelsjoy。
  Immortalsdelightthustheirmighttoemploy。
  Lostchildrentoraisetoaheavenlyplace。
  1797——
  THEPARIAH。
  I。THEPARIAHSPRAYER。
  DREADEDBrama,lordofmight!
  Allproceedfromtheealone。
  Thouarthewhojudgethright!
  DostthounonebutBrahminsown?
  DobutRajahscomefromthee?
  Nonebutthoseofhighestate?
  Didstnotthoutheapecreate,Aye,andevensuchaswe?
  Wearenotofnoblekind,Forwithwoeourlotisrife。
  AndwhatothersdeadlyfindIsouronlysourceoflife。
  Letthisbeenoughformen,Letthem,iftheywill,despiseus。
  Butthou,Brama,thoushouldstprizeus,Allareequalinthyken。
  Nowthat,Lord,thisprayerissaid,Asthychildacknowledgeme。
  Orletonebebornin-stead,Whomaylinkmeontothee!
  DidstnotthouaBayadereAsagoddessheavenwardraise?
  Andwetootoswellthypraise,Suchamiraclewouldhear。
  1821——
  II。LEGEND。
  [ThesuccessfulmannerinwhichGoetheemploysthesimplerhymelesstrochaicmetreinthisandinmanyotherPoemswillperhapsberemarkedbythereader。]
  WATER-FETCHINGgoesthenobleBrahmin’swife,sopureandlovely。
  Heishonour’d,voidofblemish。
  Andofjusticerigid,stern。
  DailyfromthesacredriverBringsshebackrefreshmentsprecious——
  Butwhereisthepailandpitcher?
  Sheofneitherstandsinneed。
  Forwithpureheart,handsunsullied,Shethewaterlifts,androllsitToawondrousballofcrystalThisshebearswithgladsomebosom,Modestly,withgracefulmotion,Toherhusbandinthehouse。
  Sheto-dayatdawnofmorningPrayingcomestoGanges’waters,Bendshero’ertheglassysurface——
  Sudden,inthewavesreflected,Flyingswiftlyfaraboveher,Fromthehighestheavensdescending,ShediscernsthebeauteousformOfayouthdivine,createdBytheGod’sprimevalwisdomInhisowneternalbreast。
  Whensheseeshim,straightwayfeelssheWondrous,new,confusedsensationsInherinmost,deepestbeing。
  Fainshe’dlingero’erthevision,Thenrepelsit,——itreturneth,——
  And,perplex’d,shebendsherflood-wardsWithuncertainhandstodrawit。
  But,alas,shedrawsnomore!
  Forthewater’ssacredbillowsSeemtofly,tohastenfromher。
  ShebutseesthefearfulchasmOfawhirlpoolblackdisclosed。
  Armsdropdown,andfootstepsstumble,Canthisbethepathwayhomewards?
  Shallshefly,orshallshetarry?
  Canshethink,whenthoughtandcounsel,Whenassistanceallarelost?
  Sobeforeherspouseappearsshe——
  Onherlookshe——lookisjudgment——
  Proudlyontheswordheseizes,Tothehillofdeathhedragsher,Wheredelinquents’bloodpaysforfeit。
  Whatresistancecouldsheoffer?
  Whatexcusescouldsheproffer,Guilty,knowingnotherguilt?
  Andwithbloodyswordreturnshe,Musing,tohissilentdwelling,Whenhissonbeforehimstands:
  Whosethisblood?Oh,father!father!
  Thedelinquentwoman’s!——Never!
  Foruponthesworditdriesnot,Likethebloodofthedelinquent。
  Freshitflows,asfromthewound。
  Mother!mother!hitherhasten!
  Unjustneverwasmyfather,Tellmewhathenowhathdone——
  Silence!silence!hersthebloodis!
  Whose,myfather?——Silence!Silence!
  What!ohwhat!mymother’sblood!
  Whathercrime?Whatdidshe?Answer!
  Now,thesword!theswordnowholdI。
  Thouthywifeperchancemight’stslaughter,Butmymothermight’stnotslay!
  ThroughtheflamesthewifeisableHerbelovedspousetofollow,AndhisdearandonlymotherThroughtheswordherfaithfulson。
  Stay!ohstay!exclaim’dthefather:
  Yet’tistime,sohasten,hasten!
  Jointheheaduponthebody,Withtheswordthentouchthefigure,And,aliveshe’llfollowthee。
  Hastening,he,withbreathlesswonder,SeesthebodiesoftwowomenLyingcrosswise,andtheirheadstoo。
  Oh,whathorror!whichtochoose!
  Thenhismother’sheadheseizes,——
  Doesnotkissit,deadlypale’tis,——
  OnthenearestheadlessbodyPutsitquickly,andthenblessesWiththeswordthepiouswork。
  Thenthegiantformuprises,——
  Fromthedearlipsofhismother,Lipsallgod-like——changeless——blissful,Soundthesewordswithhorrorfraught:
  Son,ohson!whatoverhast’ning!
  Yonderisthymother’sbody,NearitliestheimpiousheadOfthewomanwhohathfallenVictimtothejudgment-sword!
  ToherbodyIamgraftedBythyhandforendlessages。
  Wiseincounsel,wildinaction,Ishallbeamongstthegods。
  E’entheheav’nlyboy’sownimage,Thoughineyeandbrowsolovely,SinkingdownwardstothebosomMadandraginglustwillstir。
  ’Twillreturnagainforever,Everrising,eversinking,Nowobscured,andnowtransfigur’d,——
  SogreatBramahathordain’d。
  He’twassentthebeauteouspinions,RadiantfaceandslendermembersOftheonlyGod-begotten,ThatImightbeprovedandtempted。
  Forfromhighdescendstemptation,Whenthegodsordainitso。
  AndsoI,theBrahminwoman,WithmyheadinHeavenreclining,Mustexperience,asaPariah,Thedebasingpowerofearth。
  Son,Isendtheetothyfather!
  Comforthim!Letnosadpenance,Weakdelay,orthoughtofmerit,HoldtheeinthedesertfastWanderonthroughev’rynation,Roamabroadthroughoutallages,Andproclaimtoe’enthemeanest,ThatgreatBramahearshiscry!
  Noneisinhiseyesthemeanest——
  Hewhoselimbsarelameandpalsied,Hewhosesouliswildlyriven,Wornwithsorrow,hopeless,helpless,BeheBrahmin,behePariah,Iftow’rdheavenheturnshisgaze,Willperceive,willlearntoknowit:
  Thousandeyesareglowingyonder,Thousandearsarecalmlylist’ning,Fromwhichnoughtbelowishid。
  IfItohisthronesoarupward,IfheseesmyfearfulfigureByhismighttransform’dtohorror,Heforeverwilllamentit,——
  Mayittoyourgoodbefound!
  AndInowwillkindlywarnhim,AndInowwillmadlytellhimWhatsoe’ermymindconceiveth,Whatwithinmybosomheaveth。
  Butmythoughts,myinmostfeelings——
  Thoseasecretshallremain。
  1821——
  III。THEPARIAH’STHANKS。
  MIGHTYBrama,nowI’llblessthee!
  ’Tisfromtheethatworldsproceed!
  AsmyrulerIconfessthee,Forofallthoutakestheed。
  AllthythousandearsthoukeepestOpentoeachchildofearth。
  We,’mongstmortalssunkthedeepest,Havefromtheereceivednewbirth。
  Bearinmindthewoman’sstory,Who,throughgrief,divinebecame。
  NowI’llwaittoviewHisglory,Whoomnipotencecanclaim。
  1821——
  DEATH-LAMENTOFTHENOBLEWIFEOFASANAGA。
  [FromtheMorlack。
  WHATisyonderwhitethingintheforest?
  Isitsnow,orcanitswansperchancebe?
  Wereitsnow,erethisithadbeenmelted,Wereitswans,theyallawayhadhastend。
  Snow,intruth,itisnot,swansitisnot,’TistheshiningtentsofAsanAga。
  Hewithinislying,sorelywounded。
  Tohimcomehismotherandhissister。
  Bashfullyhiswifedelaystocomethere。
  Whenthetormentofhiswoundshadlessen’d,Tohisfaithfulwifehesentthismessage:
  Atmycourtnolongerdaretotarry,Atmycourt,ore’enamongstmypeople。
  Whenthewomanheardthiscruelmessage,Muteandfullofsorrowstoodthattrueone。
  Atthedoorsshehearsthefeetofhorses,AndbethinksthatAsancomes——herhusband,Tothetowershesprings,toleapthenceheadlong,Hertwodarlingdaughtersfollowsadly,Andwhilstweepingbittertears,exclaimthey:
  ThesearenotourfatherAsan’shorses。
  ’TisthybrotherPintorowichcoming!
  SothewifeofAsanturnstomeethim,Claspsherarmsinanguishroundherbrother:
  Seethysister’ssaddisgrace,ohbrother!
  HowI’mbanish’d——motheroffivechildren!
  Silentlyherbrotherfromhiswallet,Wrapp’dindeepred-silk,andreadywritten,Drawethforththeletterofdivorcement,Toreturnhometohermother’sdwelling,Freetobeanother’swifethenceforward。
  Whenthewomansawthatmournfulletter,Ferventlyshekiss’dhertwosons’foreheads,Andhertwogirls’cheekswithfervourkiss’dshe,ButshefromthesucklinginthecradleCouldnottearherself,sodeephersorrow!
  Soshe’stornthencebyherfierybrother,Onhisnimblesteedheliftsherquickly,Andsohastens,withtheheart-sadwoman,Straightwaytow’rdhisfather’sloftydwelling。
  Shortthetimewas——sevendayshadpass’dnot,——
  Yetenough’twas。manymightyprincesSoughtthewomaninherwidow’s-mourning。
  Soughtthewoman,——astheirwifetheysoughther。
  AndthemightiestwasImoski’sCadi,Andthewomanweepingbegg’dherbrother:
  Bythylife,mybrother,Ientreatthee,Letmenotanother’swifebeever,LestmyheartbebrokenattheimageOfmypoor,mydearly-cherish’dchildren!
  Toherprayerherbrotherwouldnothearken,Fix’dtowedhertoImoski’sCadi。
  Yetthegoodoneceaselesslyimploredhim:
  Send,atleastaletter,oh,mybrother,WiththismessagetoImoski’sCadi:
  ’Theyoungwidowsendstheefriendlygreeting。
  Earnestlyshepraysthee,throughthisletter,That,whenthoucom’sthither,withthySuatians,Alongveilthou’ltbringme,’neathwhoseshadowImayhide,whennearthehouseofAsan,Andnotseemydearlycherish’dorphans。’
  ScarcelyhadtheCadireadthisletter,Thanhegather’dallhisSuatiansroundhim,Andthentow’rdthebridehiscoursedirected,Andtheveilsheask’dfor,tookhewithhim。
  Happilytheyreach’dtheprincess’dwelling,Fromthedwellinghappilytheyledher。
  Butwhentheyapproach’dthehouseofAsan,Lo!thechildrensawfromhightheirmother,Andtheyshouted:Tothyhallsreturnthou!
  Eatthysupperwiththydarlingchildren!
  MournfullythewifeofAsanheardit,Tow’rdtheSuatianprincethenturn’dshe,saying:
  Let,Ipray,theSuatiansandthehorsesAtthelovedones’doorashorttimetarry,ThatImaygivepresentstomychildren。
  Andbeforethelovedones’doortheytarried,Andshepresentsgavetoherpoorchildren,Totheboysgavegold-embroider’dbuskins,Tothegirlsgavelongandcostlydresses,Tothesuckling,helplessinthecradle,Gaveagarment,tobewornhereafter。
  ThisasidesawFatherAsanAga,——
  Sadlycriedhetohisdarlingchildren:
  Hithercome,yedearunhappyinfants,Foryourmother’sbreastisturn’dtoiron,Lock’dforever,closedtoallcompassion!
  WhenthewifeofAsanheardhimspeakthus,Ontheground,allpaleandtrembling,fellshe,Andherspiritfledhersorrowingbosom,Whenshesawherchildrenflyingfromher。
  1775——
  CANTATAS——
  Maythebardthesenumberspraise,Thataresunghisfametoraise——
  THEPoemscomposedbyGoetheunderthistitlearefiveinnumber,ofwhichthreeareheregiven。Theothertwoareentirelypersonalintheirallusions,andnotofgeneralinterest。OneofthemisaRequiemonthePrincedeLigne,whodiedin1814,andwhomGoethecallsthehappiestmanofthecentury,andtheotherwascomposedinhonourofthe70thbirthdayofhisfriendZelterthecomposer,whenGoethewashimselfmorethan791828。
  Thefollowingsweetariaintroducedinthelatteris,however,worthgiving:——
  THEflowerssocarefullyrear’d,InagarlandforhimIofttwin’d:
  Howsweethavetheyeverappear’d,Whenwreath’dforafrienddearandkind。
  Thenincensesweetascended,Thennew-hornblossomsrose,WithgentlezephyrsblendedIntonesofsoftrepose——
  IDYLL。
  AvillageChorusissupposedtobeassembled,andabouttocommenceitsfestiveprocession。
  [WrittenforthebirthdayoftheDuchessLouisaofWeimar。]
  CHORUS。
  THEfestaldayhailyeWithgarlandsofpleasure,Anddances’softmeasure,WithrapturecommingledAndsweetchoralsong。
  DAMON。
  Oh,howIyearnfromoutthecrowdtoflee!
  Whatjoyasecretgladewouldgivetome!
  Amidthethrong,theturmoilhere,Confinedtheplain,thebreezese’enappear。
  CHORUS。
  Noworderittruly,Thatev’ryonedulyMayroamandmaywander,Nowhere,andnowyonder,Themeadowsalong。
  [TheChorusretreatsgradually,andthesongbecomesfainterandfainter,tillitdiesawayinthedistance。]
  DAMON。
  Invainyecall,invainwouldluremeon。
  Truemyheartspeaks,——butwithitselfalone。
  AndifImayviewAblessing-fraughtland,Theheaven’sclearblue,Andtheplain’sverdanthue,AloneI’llrejoice,Undisturbedbyman’svoice。
  AndthereI’llpayhomageTowomanlymerit,Observeitinspirit,Inspiritpayhomage。
  ToechoaloneShallmysecretbeknown。
  CHORUS。
  [FaintlyminglingwithDamon’ssonginthedistance。]
  Toecho——alone——
  Shallmysecret——beknown——
  MENALCAS。
  Myfriend,whymeetIherewiththee?
  Thouhast’nestnottojointhefestalthrong?
  Nolongerstay,butcomewithme,Andmingleinthedanceandsong。
  DAMON。
  Thou’rtwelcome,friend!butsuffermetoroamWheretheseoldbeecheshidemefromman’sview:
  Loveseeksinsolitudeahome,Andhomagemayretreattheretoo。
  MENALCAS。
  Thouseekesthereaspuriousfame,Andhastamindto-daytogrieveme。
  LoveasthyportionthoumaystclaimButhomagethoumustsharewithall,believeme!
  Whentheirvoicesthousandsraise,Andthedawnofmorningpraise,Rapturebringing,BlithelysingingOnbeforeus,Heartandearinpleasurevie。
  Andwhenthousandsjoininchorus,Withthefeelingsbrightlyglowing,Andthewishesoverflowing,Forciblythey’llbeartheehigh。
  [TheChorusgraduallyapproaches,fromthedistance。]
  DAMON。
  Distantstrainsarehitherwending,AndI’mgladden’dbythethrong。
  Yes,they’recoming,——yes,descendingTothevalleyfromtheheight,MENALCAS。
  Letushaste,ourfootstepsblendingWiththerhythmofthesong!
  Yes,theycome。theircoursethey’rebendingTow’rdthewood’sgreenswardsobright。
  CHORUS。
  [Graduallybecominglouder。]
  Yes,wehithercome,attendingWiththeharmonyofsong,AsthehourstheirraceareendingOnthisdayofblestdelight。
  ALL。
  LetnonerevealThethoughtswefeel,Theaimsweown!
  LetjoyaloneDisclosethestory!
  She’llproveitrightAndherdelightIncludestheglory,IncludestheblissOfdayslikethis!
  1813