The Poems of Goethe Part 91

----- AS BROAD AS IT'S LONG.

MODEST men must needs endure,

And the bold must humbly bow; Thus thy fate's the same, be sure,

Whether bold or modest thou.

1815.*

----- THE RULE OF LIFE.

IF thou wouldst live unruffled by care, Let not the past torment thee e'er; As little as possible be thou annoy'd, And let the present be ever enjoy'd; Ne'er let thy breast with hate be supplied, And to G.o.d the future confide.

1815.*

----- THE SAME, EXPANDED.

IF thou wouldst live unruffled by care, Let not the past torment thee e'er; If any loss thou hast to rue, Act as though thou wert born anew; Inquire the meaning of each day, What each day means itself will say; In thine own actions take thy pleasure, What others do, thou'lt duly treasure; Ne'er let thy breast with hate be supplied, And to G.o.d the future confide.

IF wealth is gone--then something is gone!

Quick, make up thy mind,

And fresh wealth find.

If honour is gone--then much is gone!

Seek glory to find,

And people then will alter their mind.

If courage is gone--then all is gone!

'Twere better that thou hadst never been born.

HE who with life makes sport,

Can prosper never; Who rules himself in nought,

Is a slave ever.

MAY each honest effort be

Crown'd with lasting constancy.

EACH road to the proper end Runs straight on, without a bend.

1825.

----- CALM AT SEA.

SILENCE deep rules o'er the waters,

Calmly slumb'ring lies the main, While the sailor views with trouble

Nought but one vast level plain.

Not a zephyr is in motion!

Silence fearful as the grave!

In the mighty waste of ocean

Sunk to rest is ev'ry wave.

1795.

----- THE PROSPEROUS VOYAGE.

THE mist is fast clearing.

And radiant is heaven, Whilst AEolus loosens Our anguish-fraught bond.

The zephyrs are sighing, Alert is the sailor.

Quick! nimbly be plying!

The billows are riven, The distance approaches; I see land beyond!

1795.

----- COURAGE.

CARELESSLY over the plain away, Where by the boldest man no path Cut before thee thou canst discern, Make for thyself a path!

Silence, loved one, my heart!

Cracking, let it not break!

Breaking, break not with thee!

1776.*

----- MY ONLY PROPERTY.

I FEEL that I'm possess'd of nought, Saving the free unfetterd thought

Which from my bosom seeks to flow, And each propitious pa.s.sing hour That suffers me in all its power

A loving fate with truth to know.

1814.

----- ADMONITION.

WHEREFORE ever ramble on?

For the Good is lying near, Fortune learn to seize alone,

For that Fortune's ever here.