The Poems of Goethe Part 7

You maidens with war; Her twofold charms pledges .

Of victory are.

1803.

----- LOVER IN ALL SHAPES.

To be like a fish, Brisk and quick, is my wish; If thou cam'st with thy line.

Thou wouldst soon make me thine.

To be like a fish, Brisk and quick, is my wish.

Oh, were I a steed!

Thou wouldst love me indeed.

Oh, were I a car Fit to bear thee afar!

Oh, were I a steed!

Thou wouldst love me indeed.

I would I were gold That thy fingers might hold!

If thou boughtest aught then, I'd return soon again.

I would I were gold That thy fingers might hold!

I would I were true, And my sweetheart still new!

To be faithful I'd swear, And would go away ne'er.

I would I were true, And my sweetheart still new!

I would I were old, And wrinkled and cold, So that if thou said'st No, I could stand such a blow!

I would I were old, And wrinkled and cold.

An ape I would be, Full of mischievous glee; If aught came to vex thee, I'd plague and perplex thee.

An ape I would be, Full of mischievous glee

As a lamb I'd behave, As a lion be brave, As a lynx clearly see, As a fox cunning be.

As a lamb I'd behave, As a lion be brave.

Whatever I were, All on thee I'd confer; With the gifts of a prince My affection evince.

Whatever I were, All on thee I'd confer.

As nought diff'rent can make me, As I am thou must take me!

If I'm not good enough, Thou must cut thine own stuff.

As nought diff'rent can make me, As I am thou must take me!

1815.*

----- THE GOLDSMITH'S APPRENTICE.

My neighbour, none can e'er deny,

Is a most beauteous maid; Her shop is ever in mine eye,

When working at my trade.

To ring and chain I hammer then

The wire of gold a.s.say'd, And think the while: "For Kate, oh when

Will such a ring be made?"

And when she takes her shutters down,

Her shop at once invade, To buy and haggle, all the town,

For all that's there displayd.

I file, and maybe overfile

The wire of gold a.s.say'd; My master grumbles all the while,--

Her shop the mischief made.

To ply her wheel she straight begins,

When not engaged in trade; I know full well for what she spins,--

'Tis hope guides that dear maid.

Her leg, while her small foot treads on,

Is in my mind portray'd; Her garter I recall anon,--

I gave it that dear maid.

Then to her lips the finest thread

Is by her hand convey'd.

Were I there only in its stead,

How I would kiss the maid!

1808.

----- ANSWERS IN A GAME OF QUESTIONS.

THE LADY.

IN the small and great world too,

What most charms a woman's heart?

It is doubtless what is new,

For its blossoms joy impart; n.o.bler far is what is true,