The Poems of Goethe Part 55

Affection, say, why buried so deep

In my heart hast thou lain hidden?

By whom hast thou now to awake from thy sleep

Been bidden?

Ah love, that thou art immortal I see!

Nor knavish cunning nor treachery

Can destroy thy life so G.o.dlike.

THE MAID OF THE MILL.

If still with as fond and heartfelt love,

As thou once didst swear, I'm cherish'd, Then nought of the rapture we used to prove

Is perish'd.

So take the woman so dear to thy breast!

In her young and innocent charms be blest,

For all are thine from henceforward!

BOTH.

Now, sun, sink to rest! Now, sun, arise!

Ye stars, be now s.h.i.+ning, now darkling!

A star of love now gleams in the skies,

All-sparkling!

As long as the fountain may spring and run, So long will we two be blended in one,

Upon each other's bosoms!

1797.

----- THE TRAVELLER AND THE FARM~MAIDEN.

HE.

CANST thou give, oh fair and matchless maiden,

'Neath the shadow of the lindens yonder,--

Where I'd fain one moment cease to wander,-- Food and drink to one so heavy laden?

SHE.

Wouldst thou find refreshment, traveller weary,

Bread, ripe fruit and cream to meet thy wishes,--

None but Nature's plain and homely dishes,-- Near the spring may soothe thy wanderings dreary.

HE.

Dreams of old acquaintance now pa.s.s through me,

Ne'er-forgotten queen of hours of blisses.

Likenesses I've often found, but this is One that quite a marvel seemeth to me!

SHE.

Travellers often wonder beyond measure,

But their wonder soon see cause to smother;

Fair and dark are often like each other, Both inspire the mind with equal pleasure.

HE.

Not now for the first time I surrender

To this form, in humble adoration;

It was brightest midst the constellation In the hail adorn'd with festal splendour.

SHE.

Be thou joyful that 'tis in my power

To complete thy strange and merry story!

Silks behind her, full of purple glory, Floated, when thou saw'st her in that hour.

HE.

No, in truth, thou hast not sung it rightly!

Spirits may have told thee all about it;

Pearls and gems they spoke of, do not doubt it,-- By her gaze eclipsed,--it gleam'd so brightly!

SHE.

This one thing I certainly collected:

That the fair one--(say nought, I entreat thee!)