The Poems of Goethe Part 56

Fondly hoping once again to meet thee, Many a castle in the air erected.

HE.

By each wind I ceaselessly was driven,

Seeking gold and honour, too, to capture!

When my wand'rings end, then oh, what rapture, If to find that form again 'tis given!

SHE.

'Tis the daughter of the race now banish'd

That thou seest, not her likeness only;

Helen and her brother, glad though lonely, Till this farm of their estate now vanish'd.

HE.

But the owner surely is not wanting

Of these plains, with ev'ry beauty teeming?

Verdant fields, broad meads, and pastures gleaming, Gus.h.i.+ng springs, all heav'nly and enchanting.

SHE.

Thou must hunt the world through, wouldst thou find him!--

We have wealth enough in our possession,

And intend to purchase the succession, When the good man leaves the world behind him.

HE.

I have learnt the owner's own condition,

And, fair maiden, thou indeed canst buy it;

But the cost is great, I won't deny it,-- Helen is the price,--with thy permission!

SHE.

Did then fate and rank keep us asunder,

And must Love take this road, and no other?

Yonder comes my dear and trusty brother; What will he say to it all, I wonder?

1803.*

----- EFFECTS AT A DISTANCE.

THE queen in the lofty hall takes her place,

The tapers around her are flaming; She speaks to the page: "With a nimble pace

Go, fetch me my purse for gaming.

'Tis lying, I'll pledge,

On my table's edge."

Each nerve the nimble boy straineth, And the end of the castle soon gaineth.

The fairest of maidens was sipping sherbet

Beside the queen that minute; Near her mouth broke the cup,--and she got so wet!

The very devil seem'd in it

What fearful distress

'Tis spoilt, her gay dress.

She hastens, and ev'ry nerve straineth, And the end of the castle soon gaineth.

The boy was returning, and quickly came,

And met the sorrowing maiden; None knew of the fact,--and yet with Love's flame,

Those two had their hearts full laden.

And, oh the bliss

Of a moment like this!

Each falls on the breast of the other, With kisses that well nigh might smother.

They tear themselves asunder at last,

To her chamber she hastens quickly, To reach the queen the page hies him fast,

Midst the swords and the fans crowded thickly.

The queen spied amain

On his waistcoat a stain; For nought was inscrutable to her, Like Sheba's queen--Solomon's wooer.

To her chief attendant she forthwith cried

"We lately together contended, And thou didst a.s.sert, with obstinate pride,