首页 >出版文学> The Poems of Goethe>第6章
  RINALDO。*
  [ThisCantatawaswrittenforPrinceFrederickofGotha,andsettomusicbyWinter,thePrincesingingthepartofRinaldo——SeetheAnnalen。]
  *SeeTasso’sGerusalemmeLiberata,CantoXVI。
  CHORUS。
  Tothestrand!quick,mountthebark!
  Ifnofavouringzephyrsblow,Plytheoarandnimblyrow,Andwithzealyourprowessmark!
  O’ertheseawethuscareer。
  RINALDO。
  Oh,letmelingeroneshortmomenthere!
  ’Tisheaven’sdecree,Imaynothenceaway。
  Theruggedcliffs,thewood-encircledbay,Holdmeaprisoner,andmyflightdelay。
  Yeweresofair,butnowthatdreamiso’er。
  Thecharmsofearth,thecharmsofheavenarenought。
  Whatkeepsmeinthisspotsoterror-fraught?
  Myonlyjoyisfledforevermore。
  Letmetastethosedayssosweet,Heav’n-descended,onceagain!
  Heart,dearheart!ay,warmlybeat!
  Spirittrue,recallthosedaysFreebornbreaththygentlelaysMingledarewithjoyandpain。
  Roundthebeds,sorichlygleaming,Risesupapalacefair。
  Allwithrosyfragranceteeming,Asindreamthousaw’stitne’er。
  Andthisspaciousgardenround,Farextendthegalleries。
  Rosesblossomneartheground,Highinair,too,bloomthetrees。
  Wat’ryflakesandjetsarefalling。
  Sweetandsilv’rystrainsarise。
  Whiletheturtle-doveiscalling,Andthenightingalereplies。
  CHORUS。
  Gentlycome!feelnoalarm,Onanobledutybent。
  Vanish’dnowisev’rycharmThatbymagicpowerwaslent。
  FriendlywordsandgreetingscalmOnhiswoundswillpoursoftbalm。
  Fillhismindwithsweetcontent。
  RINALDO。
  Hark!theturtle-doveiscalling,Andthenightingalereplies。
  Wat’ryflakesandjetsarefalling,Minglingwiththeirmelodies。
  Butallofthemsay:
  Heronlywemean。
  Butallflyaway,Assoonasshe’sseen,——
  Thebeauteousyoungmaiden,Withgracessorife,ThenlilyandroseInwreathsareentwining。
  Indancingcombining,EachzephyrthatblowsItsbrotherisgreeting,Allflyingandmeeting,Withbalsamfullladen,Whenwaken’dtolife。
  CHORUS。
  No!nolongermaywewait。
  Rousehimfromhisvisionstraight!
  Showtheadamantineshield!
  RINALDO。
  Woe!whatformisherereveal’d!
  CHORUS。
  ’Twilldisclosethecheattothee。
  RINALDO。
  AmIdoom’dmyselftoseeThusdegradedevermore?
  CHORUS。
  Couragetake,andalliso’er。
  RINALDO。
  Beitso!I’lltakefreshheart,Fromthespotbeloveddepart,LeaveArmidaonceagain,——
  Comethen!herenomoreremain。
  CHORUS。
  Yes,’tiswell!nomoreremain。
  SEMI-CHORUS。
  Awaythen!let’sflyO’erthezephyr-kiss’docean!
  Thesoul-lightedeyeSeesarmiesinmotion,SeeproudbannerswaveO’erthedust-sprinkledcourse。
  CHORUS。
  FromhisforefathersbraveDrawstheheronewforce。
  RINALDO。
  Withsorrowladen,Withinthisvalley’sAll-silentalleysThefairestmaidenAgainIsee。
  Twicecanthisbe?
  What!shallIhearit,AndnothavespiritToeaseherpains?
  CHORUS。
  Unworthychains?
  RINALDO。
  AndnowI’veseeher,Alas!howchanged!
  Withcolddemeanour。
  Andlooksestranged,Withghostlytread,——
  Allhopeisfled,Yes,fledforever。
  Thelightningsquiver,Eachpalacefalls。
  Thegodlikehalls,EachjoyoushourOfspirit-power,Withlove’ssweetdayAllfadeaway!
  CHORUS。
  Yes,fadeaway!
  SEMI-CHORUS。
  AlreadyareheardTheprayersofthepious。
  Whylongerdenyus?
  ThefavouringzephyrForbidsalldelay。
  CHORUS。
  Away,then!away!
  RINALDO。
  Withheartsadlystirr’d,YourcommandIreceive。
  Yeforcemetoleave。
  Unkindisthezephyr,——
  Oh,whereforenotstay?
  CHORUS。
  Away,then!away!
  1811——
  THEFIRSTWALPURGIS-NIGHT。
  ADRUID。
  SWEETsmilestheMay!
  TheforestgayFromfrostandiceisfreed。
  Nosnowisfound,GladsongsresoundAcrosstheverdantmead。
  UpontheheightThesnowlieslight,Yetthithernowwego,TheretoextolourFather’sname,Whomweforagesknow。
  Amidthesmokeshallgleamtheflame。
  Thuspuretheheartwillgrow。
  THEDRUIDS。
  Amidthesmokeshallgleamtheflame。
  ExtolwenowourFather’sname,Whomweforagesknow!
  Up,up,then,letusgo!
  ONEOFTHEPEOPLE。
  Wouldye,then,sorashlyact?
  Wouldyeinstantdeathattract?
  KnowyenotthecruelthreatsOfthevictorsweobey?
  RoundaboutareplacedtheirnetsInthesinfulheathen’sway。
  Ah!upontheloftywallWifeandchildrenslaughterthey。
  AndweallHastentoacertainfall。
  CHORUSOFWOMEN。
  Ay,uponthecamp’shighwallAllourchildrenlovedtheyslay。
  Ah,whatcruelvictorsthey!
  AndweallHastentoacertainfall。
  ADRUID。
  Whofearsto-dayHisritestopay,Deserveshischainstowear。
  Theforest’sfree!
  Thiswoodtakewe,Andstraightapileprepare!
  YetinthewoodTostay’tisgoodByday,tillallisstill,Withwatchersallaroundusplac’dProtectingyoufromill。
  Withcouragefresh,thenletushasteOurdutiestofulfil。
  CHORUSOFWATCHERS。
  Yevaliantwatchers,nowdivideYournumbersthroughtheforestwide,Andseethatallisstill,Whiletheytheirritesfulfil。
  AWATCHER。
  Letusinacunningwise,YondullChristianpriestssurpriseWiththedeviloftheirtalkWe’llthoseverypriestsconfound。
  Comewithprong,andcomewithfork。
  RaiseawildandrattlingsoundThroughthelivelongnight,andprowlAlltherockypassesround。
  Screechowl,owl,Joininchoruswithourhowl!
  CHORUSOFWATCHERS。
  Comewithprong,andcomewithfork,Likethedeviloftheirtalk,Andwithwildlyrattlingsound,Prowlthedesertrocksaround!
  Screechowl,owl,Joininchoruswithourhowl!
  ADRUID。
  Thusfar’tisright。
  ThatwebynightOurFather’spraisessing。
  Yetwhen’tisday,ToTheewemayAheartunsulliedbring。
  ’Tistruethatnow,Andoften,ThouFav’restthefoeinfight。
  Asfromthesmokeisfreedtheblaze,Soletourfaithburnbright!
  Andiftheycrushourgoldenways,Whoe’ercancrushThylight?
  ACHRISTIANWATCHER。
  Comrades,quick!youraidafford!
  Allthebroodofhell’sabroad。
  SeehowtheirenchantedformsThroughandthroughwithflamesareglowing!
  Dragon-women,men-wolfswarms,Oninquicksuccessiongoing!
  Letus,letushastetofly!
  Wilderyetthesoundsaregrowing,Andthearchfiendroarsonhigh。
  FromthegroundHellishvapoursrisearound。
  CHORUSOFCHRISTIANWATCHERS。
  Terribleenchantedforms,Dragon-women,men-wolfswarms!
  Wilderyetthesoundsaregrowing!
  See,thearchfiendcomes,all-glowing!
  FromthegroundHellishvapoursrisearound!
  CHORUSOFDRUIDS。
  Asfromthesmokeisfreedtheblaze,Soletourfaithburnbright!
  Andiftheycrushourgoldenways,Whoe’ercancrushThylight?
  1799——
  ODES——
  THESEarethemostsingularofallthePoemsofGoethe,andtomanywillappearsowildandfantastic,astoleaveanythingbutapleasingimpression。Thoseatthebeginning,addressedtohisfriendBehrisch,werewrittenattheageofeighteen,andmostoftheremainderwerecomposedwhilehewasstillquiteyoung。
  Despite,however,theextravaganceofsomeofthem,suchastheWinterJourneyovertheHartzMountains,andtheWanderer’sStorm-Song,nothingcanbefinerthanthenobleoneentitledMahomet’sSong,andothers,suchastheSpiritSong’overtheWaters,TheGod-like,and,aboveall,themagnificentsketchofPrometheus,whichformspartofanunfinishedpiecebearingthesamename,andcalledbyGoethea’DramaticFragment。’
  TOMYFRIEND。
  [ThesethreeOdesareaddressedtoacertainBehrisch,whowastutortoCountLindenau,andofwhomGoethegivesanoddaccountattheendoftheSeventhBookofhisAutobiography。]
  FIRSTODE。
  TRANSPLANTthebeauteoustree!
  Gardener,itgivesmepain。
  Ahappierresting-placeItstrunkdeserved。
  YetthestrengthofitsnatureToEarth’sexhaustingavarice,ToAir’sdestructiveinroads,Anantidoteopposed。
  SeehowitinspringtimeCoinsitspalegreenleaves!
  Theirorange-fragrancePoisonseachflyblowstraight。
  Thecaterpillar’stoothIsbluntedbythem。
  Withsilv’ryhuestheygleamInthebrightsunshine,ItstwigsthemaidenFainwouldtwineinHerbridal-garland。
  Youthsitsfruitareseeking。
  See,theautumncometh!
  ThecaterpillarSighstothecraftyspider,——
  Sighsthatthetreewillnotfade。
  Hov’ringthitherFromoutheryew-treedwelling,ThegaudyfoeadvancesAgainstthekindlytree,Andcannothurtit,ButthemoreartfuloneDefileswithnauseousvenomItssilverleaves。
  AndseeswithtriumphHowthemaidenshudders,Theyouth,howmournshe,Onpassingby。
  Transplantthebeauteoustree!
  Gardener,itgivesmepain。
  Tree,thankthegardenerWhomovestheehence!
  1767——
  SECONDODE。
  THOUgo’st!Imurmur——
  Go!letmemurmur。
  Oh,worthyman,Flyfromthisland!
  Deadlymarshes,SteamingmistsofOctoberHereinterweavetheircurrents,Blendingforever。
  NoisomeinsectsHereareengender’d。
  FataldarknessVeilstheirmalice。
  Thefiery-tonguedserpent,Hardbythesedgybank,Stretcheshispamper’dbody,Caress’dbythesun’sbrightbeams。
  Temptnogentlenight-ramblesUnderthemoon’scoldtwilight!
  LoathsometoadsholdtheirmeetingsYonderateverycrossway。
  Injuringnot,Fearwilltheycausethee。
  Oh,worthyman,Flyfromthisland!
  1767——
  THIRDODE。
  BEvoidoffeeling!
  Aheartthatsoonisstirr’d,IsapossessionsadUponthischangingearth。
  Behrisch,letspring’ssweetsmileNevergladdenthybrow!
  Thenwinter’sgloomytempestsNeverwillshadowito’er。
  Leanthyselfne’eronamaiden’sSorrow-engenderingbreast。
  Ne’eronthearm,Misery-fraught,ofafriend。
  AlreadyenvyFromouthisrockyambushUpontheeturnsTheforceofhislynx-likeeyes,Stretcheshistalons,Ontheefalls,InthyshouldersCunninglyplantsthem。
  Strongarehisskinnyarms,Aspanther-claws。
  Heshakeththee,Andrendsthyframe。
  Death’tistopart,’TisthreefolddeathTopart,nothopingEvertomeetagain。
  ThouwouldstrejoicetoleaveThishatedlandbehind,Wertthounotchain’dtomeWithfriendshipsflowerychains。
  Burstthem!I’llnotrepine。
  NonoblefriendWouldstayhisfellow-captive,Ifmeansofflightappear。
  TheremembranceOfhisdearfriend’sfreedomGiveshimfreedomInhisdungeon。
  Thougo’st,——I’mleft。
  Bute’enalreadyThelastyear’swingedspokesWhirlroundthesmokingaxle。
  InumbertheturnsOfthethunderingwheel。
  ThelastoneIbless——
  Eachbarthenisbroken,I’mfreethenasthou!
  1767——
  MAHOMET’SSONG。
  [ThissongwasintendedtobeintroducedinadramaticpoementitledMahomet,theplanofwhichwasnotcarriedoutbyGoethe。HementionsthatitwastohavebeensungbyAlitowardstheendofthepiece,inhonorofhismaster,Mahomet,shortlybeforehisdeath,andwhenattheheightofhisglory,ofwhichitistypical。]
  SEEtherock-bornstream!
  LikethegleamOfastarsobrightKindlyspiritsHighabovethecloudsNourishedhimwhileyouthfulInthecopsebetweenthecliffs。
  Youngandfresh。
  FromthecloudshedancethDownuponthemarblerocks。
  Thentow’rdheavenLeapsexulting。
  Throughthemountain-passesChasethhethecolour’dpebbles,And,advancinglikeachief,TearshisbrotherstreamletswithhimInhiscourse。
  Inthevalleydownbelow’Neathhisfootstepsspringtheflowers,AndthemeadowInhisbreathfindslife。
  Yetnoshadyvalecanstayhim,Norcanflowers,Roundhiskneesall-softlytwiningWiththeirlovingeyesdetainhim。
  Totheplainhiscoursehetaketh,Serpent-winding,SocialstreamletsJoinhiswaters。AndnowmovesheO’ertheplaininsilv’ryglory,Andtheplaininhimexults,Andtheriversfromtheplain,Andthestreamletsfromthemountain,Shoutwithjoy,exclaiming:Brother,Brother,takethybrethrenwiththee,Withtheetothineagedfather,Totheeverlastingocean,Who,witharmsoutstretchingfar,Waitethforus。
  Ah,invainthosearmslieopenToembracehisyearningchildren。
  ForthethirstysandconsumesusInthedesertwaste。thesunbeamsDrinkourlife-blood。hillsaroundusIntolakeswoulddamus!Brother,Takethybrethrenoftheplain,TakethybrethrenofthemountainWiththee,tothyfather’sarms!
  Letallcome,then!——
  AndnowswellsheLordlierstill。yea,e’enapeopleBearshisregalfloodonhigh!
  Andintriumphonwardrolling,Namestocountriesgiveshe,——citiesSpringtolightbeneathhisfoot。
  Ever,ever,onherushes,Leavesthetowers’flame-tipp’dsummits,Marblepalaces,theoffspringOfhisfullness,farbehind。
  Cedar-housesbearstheAtlasOnhisgiantshoulders。flutt’ringInthebreezefar,farabovehimThousandflagsaregailyfloating,Bearingwitnesstohismight。
  Andsobearethhehisbrethren,Allhistreasures,allhischildren,Wildlyshouting,tothebosomOfhislong-expectantsire。
  1774——
  SPIRITSONGOVERTHEWATERS。
  THEsoulofmanResemblethwater:
  Fromheavenitcometh,Toheavenitsoareth。
  AndthenagainToearthdescendeth,Changingever。
  DownfromtheloftyRockywallStreamsthebrightflood,ThenspreadethgentlyIncloudybillowsO’erthesmoothrock,Andwelcomedkindly,Veiling,onroamsit,Softmurmuring,Tow’rdtheabyss。
  CliffsprojectingOpposeitsprogress,——
  AngrilyfoamsitDowntothebottom,Stepbystep。
  Now,inflatchannel,Throughthemeadowlandstealsit,Andinthepolish’dlakeEachconstellationJoyouslypeepeth。
  WindisthelovingWooerofwaters。
  WindblendstogetherBillowsall-foaming。
  Spiritofman,Thouartlikeuntowater!
  Fortuneofman,Thouartlikeuntowind!
  1789。*——
  MYGODDESS。
  SAY,whichImmortalMeritsthehighestreward?
  WithnonecontendI,ButIwillgiveitTotheaye-changing,Ever-movingWondrousdaughterofJove。
  Hisbest-belovedoffspring。
  SweetPhantasy。
  ForuntoherHathhegrantedAllthefancieswhicherstTononeallow’dheSavinghimself。
  NowhetakeshispleasureInthemadone。
  Shemay,crownedwithroses,Withstafftwinedroundwithlilies,Roamthro’flow’ryvalleys,Rulethebutterfly-people,Andsoft-nourishingdewWithbee-likelipsDrinkfromtheblossom:
  OrelseshemayWithflutteringhairAndgloomylooksSighinthewindRoundrockycliffs,Andthousand-hued。
  Likemornandeven。
  Everchanging,Likemoonbeam’slight,Tomortalsappear。
  Letusall,then,AdoretheFather!
  Theold,themighty,WhosuchabeauteousNe’er-fadingspouseDeignstoaccordToperishingmortals!
  TousaloneDothheuniteher,Withheavenlybonds,Whilehecommandsher,injoyandsorrow,AsatruespouseNevertoflyus。
  AlltheremainingRacessopoorOflife-teemingearth。
  Inchildrensorich。
  WanderandfeedInvacantenjoyment,And’midthedarksorrowsOfevanescentRestrictedlife,——
  Bow’dbytheheavyYokeofNecessity。
  ButuntousheHathhismostversatile,MostcherisheddaughterGranted,——whatjoy!
  LovinglygreetherAsabelovedone!
  Giveherthewoman’sPlaceinourhome!
  Andoh,maytheagedStepmotherWisdomHergentlespiritNe’erseektoharm!
  YetknowIhersister,Theolder,sedater,Mineownsilentfriend。
  Oh,mayshenever,Tilllife’slampisquench’d,Turnawayfromme,——
  Thatnobleinciter,Comforter,——Hope!
  1781——
  WINTERJOURNEYOVERTHEHARTZMOUNTAINS。
  [Thefollowingexplanationisnecessary,inordertomakethisodeinanywayintelligible。ThePoetissupposedtoleavehiscompanions,whoareproceedingonahuntingexpeditioninwinter,inorderhimselftopayavisittoahypochondriacalfriend,andalsotoseetheminingintheHartzmountains。Theodealternatelydescribes,inaveryfragmentaryandpeculiarmanner,thenaturallyhappydispositionofthePoethimselfandtheunhappinessofhisfriend。itpicturesthewildnessoftheroadandthedrearinessoftheprospect,whichisrelievedatonespotbythedistantsightofatown,averyvagueallusiontowhichismadeinthethirdstrophe。itrecallsthehuntingpartyonwhichhiscompanionshavegone。andafteranaddresstoLove,concludesbyacontrastbetweentheunexploredrecessesofthehighestpeakoftheHartzandthemetalliferousveinsofitssmallerbrethren。]
  LIKEthevultureWhoonheavymorningcloudsWithgentlewingreposingLooksforhisprey,——
  Hover,mysong!
  ForaGodhathUntoeachprescribedHisdestinedpath,WhichthehappyoneRunso’erswiftlyTohisgladgoal:
  HewhoseheartcruelFatehathcontracted,StrugglesbutvainlyAgainstallthebarriersThebrazenthreadraises,ButwhichtheharshshearsMustonedaysever。
  ThroughgloomythicketsPresseththewilddeeron,AndwiththesparrowsLonghavethewealthySettledthemselvesinthemarsh。
  Easy’tisfollowingthechariotThatbyFortuneisdriven,LikethebaggagethatmovesOverwell-mendedhighwaysAfterthetrainofaprince。
  Butwhostandsthereapart?
  Inthethicket,lostishispath。
  BehindhimthebushesAreclosingtogether,Thegrassspringsupagain,Thedesertengulphshim。
  Ah,who’llhealhisafflictions,Towhombalsamwaspoison,Who,fromlove’sfullness,Drankinmisanthropyonly?
  Firstdespised,andnowadespiser,He,insecret,wastethAllthatheisworth,Inaselfishnessvain。
  Iftherebe,onthypsaltery,FatherofLove,butonetoneThattohisearmaybepleasing,Oh,then,quickenhisheart!
  Clearhiscloud-envelopedeyesOverthethousandfountainsClosebythethirstyoneInthedesert。
  Thouwhocreatestmuchjoy,Foreachameasureo’erflowing,BlessthesonsofthechaseWhenonthetrackoftheprey,Withawildthirstingforblood,YouthfulandjoyousAvenginglatetheinjusticeWhichthepeasantresistedVainlyforyearswithhisstaff。
  ButthelonelyoneveilWithinthygoldclouds!
  Surroundwithwinter-green,Untiltherosesbloomagain,Thehumidlocks,OhLove,ofthyminstrel!
  WiththyglimmeringtorchLightestthouhimThroughthefordswhen’tisnight,OverbottomlessplacesOndesert-likeplains。
  WiththethousandcoloursofmorningGladd’nesthisbosom。
  Withthefierce-bitingstormBearesthimproudlyonhigh。
  Wintertorrentsrushfromthecliffs,——
  Blendwithhispsalms。
  AnaltarofgratefuldelightHefindsinthemuch-dreadedmountain’sSnow-begirdedsummit,WhichforebodingnationsCrown’dwithspirit-dances。
  Thoustand’stwithbreastinscrutable,Mysteriouslydisclosed,Higho’erthewonderingworld,Andlook’stfromcloudsUponitsrealmsanditsmajesty,WhichthoufromtheveinsofthybrethrenNeartheedostwater。
  1777——
  TOFATHER*KRONOS。
  [writteninapost-chaise。]
  *Intheoriginal,Schwager,whichhasthetwofoldmeaningofbrother-in-lawandpostilion。
  HASTENthee,Kronos!
  OnwithclatteringtrotDownhillgoeththypath。
  Loathsomedizzinessever,Whenthoudelayest,assailsme。
  Quick,rattlealong,OverstockandstoneletthytrotIntolifestraightwayleadNowoncemoreUpthetoilsomeascentHasten,pantingforbreath!
  Up,then,noridlebe,——
  Strivingandhoping,up,up!
  Wide,high,glorioustheviewGazingrounduponlife,WhilefrommountuntomountHoversthespiriteterne,Lifeeternalforeboding。
  Sidewaysaroof’spleasantshadeAttractsthee,AndalookthatpromisescoolnessOnthemaidenlythreshold。
  Thererefreshthee!And,maiden,Givemethisfoamingdraughtalso,Givemethishealth-ladenlook!
  Down,now!quickerstill,down!
  SeewherethesunsetsErehesets,ereoldageSeizethmeinthemorass,Eremytoothlessjawsmumble,Andmyuselesslimbstotter。
  WhiledrunkwithhisfarewellbeamHurlme,——afieryseaFoamingstillinmineeye,——
  Hurlme,whiledazzledandreeling,Downtothegloomyportalofhell。
  Blow,then,gossip,thyhorn,Speedonwithechoingtrot,SothatOrcusmayknowwearecoming。
  SothatourhostmaywithjoyWaitatthedoortoreceiveus。
  1774——
  THEWANDERER’SSTORM-SONG。
  [Goethesaysofthisode,thatitistheonlyoneremainingoutofseveralstrangehymnsanddithyrambscomposedbyhimataperiodofgreatunhappiness,whenthelove-affairbetweenhimandFredericahadbeenbrokenoffbyhim。Heusedtosingthemwhilewanderingwildlyaboutthecountry。Thisparticularonewascausedbyhisbeingcaughtinatremendousstormononeoftheseoccasions。Hecallsitahalf-crazypiecehalkunsinn,andthereaderwillprobablyagreewithhim。]
  Hewhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,FeelsnodreadwithinhisheartAtthetempestortherain。
  Hewhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,Willtotherain-clouds,Willtothehailstorm,SinginreplyAsthelarksings,Ohthouonhigh!
  Himwhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,Thouwiltraiseabovethemud-trackWiththyfierypinions。
  Hewillwander,As,withfloweryfeet,OverDeucalion’sdarkflood,Python-slaying,light,glorious,PythiusApollo。
  Himwhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,ThouwiltplaceuponthyfleecypinionWhenhesleepethontherock,——
  ThouwiltshelterwiththyguardianwingIntheforest’smidnighthour。
  Himwhomthoune’erleavest,Genius,ThouwiltwrapupwarmlyInthesnow-drift。
  Tow’rdthewarmthapproachtheMuses,Tow’rdthewarmthapproachtheGraces。
  YeMuses,hoverroundme!
  YeGracesalso!
  Thatiswater,thatisearth,AndthesonofwaterandofearthOverwhichIwander,Likethegods。
  Yearepure,liketheheartofthewater,Yearepurelikethemarrowofearth,Hov’ringroundme,whileIhoverOverwater,o’ertheearthLikethegods。
  Shallhe,then,return,Thesmall,thedark,thefierypeasant?
  Shallhe,then,return,waitingOnlythygifts,ohFatherBromius,Andbrightlygleaming,warmth-spreadingfire?
  Returnwithjoy?
  AndI,whomyeattended,YeMusesandyeGraces,Whomallawaitsthatye,YeMusesandyeGraces,OfcirclingblissinlifeHaveglorified——shallI
  Returndejected?
  FatherBromius!
  ThourttheGenius,Geniusofages,Thou’rtwhatinwardglowToPindarwas,WhattotheworldPhoebusApollo。
  Woe!WoeInwardwarmth,Spirit-warmth,Central-point!
  Glow,andviewithPhoebusApollo!
  ColdlysoonHisregallookOvertheewillswiftlyglide,——
  Envy-struckLingero’erthecedar’sstrength,Which,toflourish,Waitshimnot。
  Whydothmylaynametheethelast?
  Thee,fromwhomitbegan,Thee,inwhomitendeth,Thee,fromwhomitflows,JupiterPluvius!
  Tow’rdtheestreamsmysong。
  AndaCastalianspringRunsasafellow-brook,Runstotheidleones,Mortal,happyones,Apartfromthee,Whocov’restmearound,JupiterPluvius!
  Notbytheelm-treeHimdidstthouvisit,WiththepairofdovesHeldinhisgentlearm,——
  Withthebeauteousgarlandofroses,——
  Caressinghim,soblestinhisflowers,Anacreon,Storm-breathinggodhead!
  Notinthepoplargrove,NeartheSybaris’strand,Notonthemountain’sSun-illuminedbrowDidstthouseizehim,Theflower-singing,Honey-breathing,SweetlynoddingTheocritus。
  Whenthewheelswererattling,Wheelonwheeltow’rdthegoal,HigharoseThesoundofthelashOfyouthswithvictoryglowing,Inthedustrolling,AsfromthemountainfallShowersofstonesinthevale——
  Thenthysoulwasbrightlyglowing,Pindar——
  Glowing?Poorheart!
  There,onthehill,——
  Heavenlymight!
  ButenoughglowThithertowend,Whereismycot!
  1771——
  THESEA-VOYAGE。
  MANYadayandnightmybarkstoodreadyladen。
  Waitingfav’ringwinds,Isatwithtruefriendsroundme,Pledgingmetopatienceandtocourage,Inthehaven。
  Andtheyspokethuswithimpatiencetwofold:
  Gladlyprayweforthyrapidpassage,Gladlyforthyhappyvoyage。fortuneInthedistantworldiswaitingforthee,Inourarmsthoultfindthyprize,andlovetoo,Whenreturning。
  Andwhenmorningcame,aroseanuproar,Andthesailors’joyousshoutsawokeus。
  Allwasstirring,allwasliving,moving,Bentonsailingwiththefirstkindzephyr。
  Andthesailssooninthebreezeareswelling,Andthesunwithfieryloveinvitesus。
  Fill’dthesailsare,cloudsonhigharefloating,OntheshoreeachfriendexultingraisesSongsofhope,ingiddyjoyexpectingJoythevoyagethrough,asonthemornofsailing,Andtheearlieststarrynightssoradiant。
  ButbyGod-sentchangingwindserelonghe’sdrivenSidewaysfromthecoursehehadintended,Andhefeignsasthoughhewouldsurrender,Whilehegentlystrivethtooutwitthem,Tohisgoal,e’enwhenthuspress’d,stillfaithful。
  Butfromoutthedampgreydistancerising,Softlynowthestormproclaimsitsadvent,Pressethdowneachbirduponthewaters,Pressethdownthethrobbingheartsofmortals。
  Anditcometh。Atitsstubbornfury,Wiselyev’rysailtheseamanstriketh。
  Withtheanguish-ladenballaresportingWindandwater。
  Andonyondershorearegather’dstanding,Friendsandlovers,tremblingfortheboldone:
  Why,alas,remain’dheherenotwithus!
  Ah,thetempest!Castawaybyfortune!
  Mustthegoodoneperishinthisfashion?
  Mightnotheperchance……Yegreatimmortals!
  Yethe,likeaman,standsbyhisrudder。
  Withthebarkaresportingwindandwater,Windandwatersportnotwithhisbosom:
  Onthefiercedeeplookshe,asamaster,——
  Inhisgods,orshipwreck’d,orsafelanded,Trustingever。
  1776——
  THEEAGLEANDDOVE。
  INsearchofpreyonceraisedhispinionsAneaglet。
  Ahuntsman’sarrowcame,andreftHisrightwingofallmotivepower。
  Headlonghefellintoamyrtlegrove,Forthreelongdaysonanguishfed,IntormentwrithedThroughoutthreelong,threewearynights。
  Andthenwascured,Thankstoall-healingNature’sSoft,omnipresentbalm。
  Hecreptawayfromoutthecopse,Andstretch’dhiswing——alas!
  Lostisallpowerofflight——
  HescarcecanlifthimselfFromoffthegroundTocatchsomemean,unworthyprey,Andrests,deep-sorrowing,Onthelowrockbesidethestream。
  Uptotheoakhelooks,Looksuptoheaven,Whileinhisnobleeyetheregleamsatear。
  Then,rustlingthroughthemyrtleboughs,behold,Therecomesawantonpairofdoves,Whosettledown,and,nodding,strutO’erthegoldsandsbesidethestream,Andgraduallyapproach。
  Theirred-tingedeyes,sofulloflove,Soonseetheinward-sorrowingone。
  Themale,inquisitivelysocial,leapsOnthenextbush,andlooksUponhimkindlyandcomplacently。
  Thousorrowest,murmurshe:
  Beofgoodcheer,myfriend!
  AllthatisneededforcalmhappinessHastthounothere?
  HastthounotpleasureinthegoldenboughThatshieldstheefromtheday’sfierceglow?
  Canstthounotraisethybreasttocatch,Onthesoftmossbesidethebrook,Thesun’slastraysateven?
  Herethoumaystwanderthroughtheflowers’freshdew,PluckfromtheoverflowTheforest-treesprovide,Thychoicestfood,——maystquenchThylightthirstatthesilveryspring。
  Ohfriend,truehappinessLiesincontentedness,AndthatcontentednessFindseverywhereenough。
  Oh,wiseone!saidtheeagle,whilehesankIndeepandeverdeep’ningthought——
  OhWisdom!likeadovethouspeakest!
  1774。*——
  PROMETHEUS。
  COVERthyspaciousheavens,Zeus,Withcloudsofmist,And,liketheboywholopsThethistles’heads,Disportwithoaksandmountain-peaks,YetthoumustleaveMyearthstillstanding。
  Mycottagetoo,whichwasnotraisedbythee。
  Leavememyhearth,WhosekindlyglowBytheeisenvied。
  IknownoughtpoorerUnderthesun,thanyegods!
  Yenourishpainfully,WithsacrificesAndvotiveprayers,Yourmajesty:
  Yewoulde’enstarve,IfchildrenandbeggarsWerenottrustingfools。
  WhileyetachildAndignorantoflife,IturnedmywanderinggazeUptow’rdthesun,asifwithhimTherewereaneartohearmywailings,Aheart,likemine,Tofeelcompassionfordistress。
  Whohelp’dmeAgainsttheTitans’insolence?
  Whorescuedmefromcertaindeath,Fromslavery?
  Didstthounotdoallthisthyself,Mysacredglowingheart?
  Andglowedst,youngandgood,DeceivedwithgratefulthanksToyonderslumberingone?
  Ihonourthee!andwhy?
  Hastthoue’erlighten’dthesorrowsOftheheavyladen?
  Hastthoue’erdriedupthetearsOftheanguish-stricken?
  WasInotfashion’dtobeamanByomnipotentTime,AndbyeternalFate,Mastersofmeandthee?
  Didstthoue’erfancyThatlifeIshouldlearntohate,Andflytodeserts,BecausenotallMyblossomingdreamsgrewripe?
  HeresitI,formingmortalsAftermyimage。
  Araceresemblingme,Tosuffer,toweep,Toenjoy,tobeglad,Andtheetoscorn,AsI!
  1773——
  GANYMEDE。
  How,inthelightofmorning,Roundmethouglowest,Spring,thoubelovedone!
  Withthousand-varyinglovingblissThesacredemotionsBornofthywarmtheternalPress’gainstmybosom,Thouendlesslyfairone!
  CouldIbutholdtheeclasp’dWithinminearms!
  Ah!uponthybosomLayI,pining,Andthenthyflowers,thygrass,Werepressingagainstmyheart。
  ThoucoolesttheburningThirstofmybosom,Beauteousmorningbreeze!
  ThenightingalethencallsmeSweetlyfromoutofthemistyvale。
  Icome,Icome!
  Whither?Ah,whither?
  Up,up,liesmycourse。
  WhiledownwardthecloudsArehovering,thecloudsArebendingtomeetyearninglove。
  Forme,WithinthinearmsUpwards!
  Embracedandembracing!
  Upwardsintothybosom,OhFatherall-loving!
  1789。*——
  THEBOUNDARIESOFHUMANITY。
  WHENtheprimevalAll-holyFatherSowswithatranquilhandFromclouds,astheyroll,Bliss-spreadinglightningsOvertheearth,ThendoIkissthelastHemofhisgarment,WhilebyachildlikeaweFiil’dismybreast。
  ForwithimmortalsNe’ermayamortalMeasurehimself。
  IfhesoarupwardsAndifhetouchWithhisforeheadthestars,NowherewillrestthenHisinsecurefeet,AndwithhimsportTempestandcloud。
  ThoughwithfirmsinewyLimbshemaystandOntheenduringWell-groundedearth,AllheiseverAbletodo,IstoresembleTheoakorthevine。
  WhereindogodsDifferfrommortals?
  InthattheformerSeeendlessbillowsHeavingbeforethem。
  UsdoththebillowLiftupandswallow,Sothatweperish。
  SmallistheringEnclosingourlife,AndwholegenerationsLinkthemselvesfirmlyOntoexistence’sChainnever-ending。
  1789。*——
  THEGODLIKE。
  NOBLEbeman,Helpfulandgood!
  ForthataloneDistinguishethhimFromallthebeingsUntousknown。
  Hailtothebeings,Unknownandglorious,Whomweforebode!
  FromhisexampleLearnwetoknowthem!
  ForunfeelingNatureisever:
  OnbadandongoodThesunalikeshineth。
  Andonthewicked,Asonthebest,Themoonandstarsgleam。
  Tempestandtorrent,Thunderandhail,Roarontheirpath,Seizingthewhile,Astheyhasteonward,Oneafteranother。
  Evenso,fortuneGropes’midthethrong——
  Innocentboyhood’sCurlyheadseizing,——
  SeizingthehoaryHeadofthesinner。
  Afterlawsmighty,Brazen,eternal,MustallwemortalsFinishthecircuitOfourexistence。
  Man,andmanonlyCandotheimpossible。
  He’tisdistinguisheth,Choosethandjudgeth。
  HetothemomentEndurancecanlend。
  HeandheonlyThegoodcanreward,Thebadcanhepunish,Canhealandcansave。
  AllthatwandersandstraysCanusefullyblend。
  AndwepayhomageTotheimmortalsAsthoughtheyweremen,Anddidinthegreat,Whatthebest,inthesmall,Doesormightdo。
  Bethemanthatisnoble,Bothhelpfulandgood。
  UnweariedlyformingTherightandtheuseful,AtypeofthosebeingsOurmindhathforeshadow’d!
  1782——
  MISCELLANEOUSPOEMS——
  inthewaresbeforeyouspread,Typesofallthingsmayberead——
  THEGERMANPARNASSUS。
  ’NEATHtheshadowOfthesebushes,OnthemeadowWherethecoolingwatergushes。
  Phoebusgaveme,whenaboy,Alllife’sfullnesstoenjoy。
  So,insilence,astheGodBadethemwithhissov’reignnod,SacredMusestrain’dmydaysTohispraise——
  Withthebrightandsilv’ryfloodOfParnassusstirr’dmyblood,AndthesealsopureandchasteBythemonmylipswasplaced。
  Withhermodestpinions,see,Philomelencirclesme!
  Inthesebushes,inyongrove,Callsshetohersister-throng,AndtheirheavenlychoralsongTeachesmetodreamoflove。
  FullnesswaxesinmybreastOfemotionssocial,blest。
  Friendship’snurtured膌oveawakes,——
  AndthesilencePhoebusbreaksOfhismountains,ofhisvales,Sweetlyblowthebalmygales。
  Allforwhomheshowsaffection,Whoareworthyhisprotection,Gladlyfollowhisdirection。
  ThisonecomeswithjoyousbearingAndwithopen,radiantgaze。
  Thatasternerlookiswearing,Thisone,scarcelycured,withdaringWakesthestrengthofformerdays。
  Forthesweet,destructiveflamePiercedhismarrowandhisframe。
  ThatwhichAmorstolebeforePhoebusonlycanrestore,Peace,andjoy,andharmony,Aspirationspureandfree。
  Brethren,riseye!
  Numbersprizeye!
  Deedsofworthresemblethey。
  WhocanbetterthanthebardGuideafriendwhengoneastray?
  Ifhisdutyheregard,Morehe’lldo,thanothersmay。
  Yes!afarIhearthemsing!
  Yes!Ihearthemtouchthestring,AndwithmightygodlikestrokeRightanddutytheyinspire,Andevoke,Astheysing,andwakethelyre,Tendenciesofnoblestworth,Toeachtypeofstrengthgivebirth。
  PhantasiesofsweetestpowerFlowerRoundaboutonev’rybough,BendingnowLikethemagicwoodofold,’Neaththefruitthatgleamslikegold。
  WhatwefeelandwhatweviewInthelandofhighestbliss,——
  Thisdearsoil,asunlikethis,——
  Luresthebestofwomentoo。
  AndtheMuses’breathingsblestRousethemaiden’sgentlebreast,Tunethethroattominstrelsy,Andwithcheeksofbeauteousdye,Biditsingaworthysong,Sitthesister-bandamong。
  Andtheirstrainsgrowsofterstill,Astheyviewithearnestwill。
  OneamongstthebandbetimesGoestowanderBythebeeches,’neaththelimes,Yonderseeking,findingyonderThatwhichinthemorning-groveShehadlostthroughroguishLove,Allherbreast’sfirstaspirations,Andherheart’scalmmeditations,TotheshadywoodsofairGentlystealing,Takesshethatwhichmancanne’erDulymerit,——eachsoftfeeling,——
  DisregardsthenoontiderayAndthedewatcloseofday,?
  Intheplainherpathsheloses。
  Ne’erdisturbheronherway!
  Seekhersilently,yeMusesShoutsIhear,whereinthesoundOfthewaterfallisdrown’d。
  Fromthegroveloudclamoursrise,Strangethetumult,strangethecries。
  SeeIrightly?Canitbe?
  Totheverysanctuary,Lo,animpioustroopin-hies!
  O’erthelandStreamstheband。
  Hotdesire,Drunken-fireIntheirgazeWildlyplays,——
  MakestheirhairBristlethere。
  Andthetroop,Withfellswoop,Women,men,Comingthen,PlytheirblowsAndexpose,Voidofshame,Alltheframe。
  Ironshot,Fierceandhot,StrikewithfearOntheear。
  AlltheyslayOntheirway。
  O’erthelandPourstheband。
  AlltakeflightAttheirsight。
  Ah,o’erev’ryplanttheyrush!
  Ah,theircruelfootstepscrushAlltheflowersthatfilltheirpath!
  Whowilldaretostemtheirwrath?
  Brethren,letusventureall!
  Virtueinyourpurecheekglows。
  PhoebuswillattendourcallWhenheseesourheavywoes。
  AndthatwemayhavearightWeaponssuitedtothefight,Hethemountainshakethnow——
  FromitsbrowRattlingdownStoneonstoneThroughthethicketspreadappear。
  Brethren,seizethem!Whereforefear?
  Nowthevillaincrewassail,Asthoughwithastormofhail,AndexpelthestrangerswildFromtheseregionssoftandmildWherethesunhaseversmil’d!
  WhatstrangewonderdoIsee?
  Canitbe?
  Allmylimbsofpowerarereft。
  Andallstrengthmyhandhasleft。
  Canithe?
  NonearestrangersthatIsee!
  Andourbrethren’tiswhogoOnbefore,thewaytoshow!
  Oh,therecklessimpiousones!
  Howthey,withtheirjarringtones,Beatthetime,asontheyhie!
  Quick,mybrethren!——letusfly!
  Totherashones,yetaword!
  Ay,myvoiceshallnowbeheard,Asapealofthunder,strong!
  Wordsaspoets’armsweremade,——
  Whenthegodwillheobey’d,Followfasthisdartserelong。
  WasitpossiblethatyeThusyourgodlikedignityShouldforget?TheThyrsusrudeMustaheavyburdenfeelTothehandbutwonttostealO’erthelyreingentlemood。
  Fromthesparklingwaterfalls,Fromthebrookthatpurlingcalls,ShallSilenus’loathsomebeastBeallow’datwilltofeast?
  Aganippe’s*wavehesipsWithprofaneandspreadinglips,——
  Withungainlyfeetstampsmadly,Tillthewatersflowonsadly。
  FainI’dthinkmyselfdeludedInthesadd’ningsoundsIhear。
  FromtheholygladessecludedHatefultonesassailtheear。
  Laughterwildexchangehowmournful!
  Takestheplaceoflove’ssweetdream。
  Women-hatersandthescornfulInexultingchorusscream。
  NightingaleandturtledoveFlytheirnestssowarmandchaste,And,inflamedwithsensuallove,HoldstheFauntheNymphembrac’d。
  Hereagarment’stornaway,Scoffssucceedtheirsatedbliss,Whilethegod,withangryray,Looksuponeachimpiouskiss。
  Vapour,smoke,asfromafire,AndadvancingcloudsIview。
  Chordsnotonlygracethelyre,Forthebowitschordsbathtoo。
  Eventheadorer’sheartDreadsthewildadvancinghand,FortheflamesthatroundthemdartShowthefiercedestroyer’shand。
  OhneglectnotwhatIsay,ForIspeakitlovingly!
  Fromourboundarieshasteaway,Fromthegod’sdreadangerfly!
  Cleanseoncemoretheholyplace,Turnthesavagetrainaside!
  EarthcontainsuponitsfaceManyaspotunsanctified。
  Hereweonlyprizethegood。
  Starsunsulliedroundusburn。
  Ifye,inrepentantmood,Fromyourwanderingswouldreturn,——
  IfyefailtofindtheblissThatyefoundwithusofyore,——
  OrwhenlawlessmirthlikethisGivesyourheartsdelightnomore,——
  Thenreturninpilgrimguise,Gladlyupthemountaingo,Whileyourstrainsrepentantrise,Andourbrethren’sadventshow。
  Letanew-bornwreathentwineSolemnlyyourtemplesround。
  RaptureglowsinheartsdivineWhenalong-lostsinner’sfound。
  Swiftere’enthanLathe’sfloodRoundDeath’ssilenthousecanplay,Ev’ryerrorofthegoodWilllove’schalicewashaway。
  Allwillhasteyourstepstomeet,Asyecomeinmajesty,——
  Menyourblessingwillentreat——
  Oursyethuswilldoublybe!
  1798。
  *Aganippe——AspringinBoeotia,whicharoseoutofMountHelicon,andwassacredtoApolloandtheMuses。