The Poems of Goethe Part 106

And from the winter this mound kindly hath screen'd him at last.

1789.*

----- THE BRETHREN.

SLUMBER and Sleep, two brethren ordain'd by the G.o.ds to their service,

Were by Prometheus implored, comfort to give to his race; But though so light to the G.o.ds, too heavy for man was their burden,

We in their slumber find sleep, we in their sleep meet with death.

1789.*

----- MEASURE OF TIME.

EROS, what mean'st thou by this? In each of thine hands is an hourgla.s.s!

What, oh thou frivolous G.o.d! twofold thy measure of time?

"Slowly run from the one, the hours of lovers when parted;

While through the other they rush swiftly, as soon as they meet."

1789.*

----- WARNING.

WAKEN not Amor from sleep! The beauteous urchin still slumbers;

Go, and complete thou the task, that to the day is a.s.sign'd!

Thus doth the prudent mother with care turn time to her profit,

While her babe is asleep, for 'twill awake but too soon.

1785.*

----- SOLITUDE.

OH ye kindly nymphs, who dwell 'mongst the rocks and the thickets,

Grant unto each whatsoe'er he may in silence desire!

Comfort impart to the mourner, and give to the doubter instruction,

And let the lover rejoice, finding the bliss that he craves.

For from the G.o.ds ye received what they ever denied unto mortals,

Power to comfort and aid all who in you may confide.

1782.

----- THE CHOSEN CLIFF.

HERE in silence the lover fondly mused on his loved one;

Gladly he spake to me thus: "Be thou my witness, thou stone!

Yet thou must not be vainglorious, thou hast many companions;

Unto each rock on the plain, where I, the happy one, dwell, Unto each tree of the wood that I cling to, as onward I ramble,

'Be thou a sign of my bliss!' shout I, and then 'tis ordain'd.

Yet to thee only I lend a voice, as a Muse from the people

Chooseth one for herself, kissing his lips as a friend."

1782.

----- THE CONSECRATED SPOT.

WHEN in the dance of the Nymphs, in the moonlight so holy a.s.sembled,

Mingle the Graces, down from Olympus in secret descending, Here doth the minstrel hide, and list to their numbers enthralling,

Here doth he watch their silent dances' mysterious measure.

All that is glorious in Heaven, and all that the earth in her beauty

Ever hath brought into life, the dreamer awake sees before him; All he repeats to the Muses, and lest the G.o.ds should be anger'd,

How to tell of secrets discreetly, the Muses instruct him.

1789.*

----- THE INSTRUCTORS.

WHEN Diogenes quietly sunn'd himself in his barrel,

When Cala.n.u.s with joy leapt in the flame-breathing grave, Oh, what n.o.ble lessons were those for the rash son of Philip,

Were not the lord of the world e'en for instruction too great!

1789.*

----- THE UNEQUAL MARRIAGE,

EVEN this heavenly pair were unequally match'd when united:

Psyche grew older and wise, Amor remain'd still a child,

1789.*

----- EXCUSE.

THOU dost complain of woman for changing from one to another?

Censure her not: for she seeks one who will constant remain.

1789.*

----- SAKONTALA.

WOULDST thou the blossoms of spring, as well as the fruits of the autumn,