The Poems of Goethe Part 136

FROM FAUST--SECOND PART.

I.

ARIEL.

WHEN in spring the gentle rain

Breathes into the flower new birth, When the green and happy plain

Smiles upon the sons of earth, Haste to give what help we may,

Little elves of wondrous might!

Whether good or evil they,

Pity for them feels the sprite.

II.

CHORUS OF SPIRITS.

WHEN the moist and balmy gale

Round the verdant meadow sighs, Odors sweet in misty veil

At the twilight-hour arise.

Murmurings soft of calm repose

Rock the heart to child-like rest, And the day's bright portals close

On the eyes with toil oppress'd.

Night already reigns o'er all,

Strangely star is link'd to star; Planets mighty, sparkling small,

Glitter near and gleam afar.

Gleam above in clearer night,

Glitter in the gla.s.sy sea; Pledging pure and calm delight,

Rules the moon in majesty.

Now each well-known hour is over,

Joy and grief have pa.s.s'd away; Feel betimes! thoult then recover:

Trust the newborn eye of day.

Vales grow verdant, hillocks teem,

Shady nooks the bushes yield, And with waving, silvery gleam,

Rocks the harvest in the field.

Wouldst thou wish for wish obtain,

Look upon yon glittering ray!

Lightly on thee lies the chain,

Cast the sh.e.l.l of sleep away!

Tarry not, but be thou bold,

When the many loiter still; All with ease may be controll'd

By the man of daring will.

III.

ARIEL.

HARK! the storm of hours draws near, Loudly to the spirit-ear Signs of coming day appear.

Rocky gates are wildly cras.h.i.+ng, Phoebus' wheels are onward das.h.i.+ng;

(A wonderful noise proclaims the approach of the sun.)

Light doth mighty sounds beget!

Pealing loud as rolling thunder, Eye and ear it fills with wonder,

Though itself unconscious yet.

Downward steals it,'mongst the flowers Seeking deeper, stiller bowers, 'Mongst the foliage, 'neath the rock; Thou'lt be deafened by the shock!

----- FROM FAUST--SECOND PART.

SCENE THE LAST.

ANGELS.

[Hovering in the higher regions of air, and hearing the immortal part of Faust.]

THE spirit-region's n.o.ble limb

Hath 'scaled the Archfiend's power; For we have strength to rescue him

Who labours ev'ry hour.

And if he feels within his breast

A ray of love from heaven.

He's met by all the squadron blest

With welcome gladly given.

THE YOUNGER ANGELS.