The Poems of Goethe Part 92

1789.

----- OLD AGE.

OLD age is courteous--no one more: For time after time he knocks at the door, But n.o.body says, "Walk in, sir, pray!"

Yet turns he not from the door away, But lifts the latch, and enters with speed.

And then they cry "A cool one, indeed!"

1814.

----- EPITAPH.

As a boy, reserved and naughty; As a youth, a c.o.xcomb and haughty; As a man, for action inclined; As a greybeard, fickle in mind.-- Upon thy grave will people read: This was a very man, indeed!

1815.*

----- RULES FOR MONARCHS.

IF men are never their thoughts to employ, Take care to provide them a life full of joy; But if to some profit and use thou wouldst bend them, Take care to shear them, and then defend them.

1815.*

----- PAULO POST FUTURI.

WEEP ye not, ye children dear,

That as yet ye are unborn: For each sorrow and each tear

Makes the father's heart to mourn.

Patient be a short time to it,

Unproduced, and known to none; If your father cannot do it,

By your mother 'twill be done.

1784.

----- THE FOOL'S EPILOGUE.

MANY good works I've done and ended, Ye take the praise--I'm not offended; For in the world, I've always thought Each thing its true position hath sought.

When praised for foolish deeds am I, I set off laughing heartily; When blamed for doing something good, I take it in an easy mood.

If some one stronger gives me hard blows, That it's a jest, I feign to suppose: But if 'tis one that's but my own like, I know the way such folks to strike.

When Fortune smiles, I merry grow, And sing in dulci jubilo; When sinks her wheel, and tumbles me o'er, I think 'tis sure to rise once more.

In the suns.h.i.+ne of summer I ne'er lament, Because the winter it cannot prevent; And when the white snow-flakes fall around, I don my skates, and am off with a bound.

Though I dissemble as I will, The sun for me will ne'er stand still; The old and wonted course is run, Until the whole of life is done; Each day the servant like the lord, In turns comes home, and goes abroad; If proud or humble the line they take, They all must eat, drink, sleep, and wake.

So nothing ever vexes me; Act like the fool, and wise ye'll be!

1804.

PARABLES.

----- Joy from that in type we borrow, Which in life gives only sorrow.

----- JOY.

A DRAGON-FLY with beauteous wing Is hov'ring o'er a silv'ry spring; I watch its motions with delight,-- Now dark its colours seem, now bright; Chameleon-like appear, now blue, Now red, and now of greenish hue.

Would it would come still nearer me, That I its tints might better see

It hovers, flutters, resting ne'er!

But hus.h.!.+ it settles on the mead.

I have it safe now, I declare!

And when its form I closely view,

'Tis of a sad and dingy blue-- Such, Joy-Dissector, is thy case indeed

1767-9.

----- EXPLANATION OF AN ANTIQUE GEM,

A YOUNG fig-tree its form lifts high

Within a beauteous garden; And see, a goat is sitting by.

As if he were its warden.

But oh, Quirites, how one errs!

The tree is guarded badly; For round the other side there whirrs

And hums a beetle madly.

The hero with his well-mail'd coat

Nibbles the branches tall so; A mighty longing feels the goat

Gently to climb up also.

And so, my friends, ere long ye see

The tree all leafless standing; It looks a type of misery,

Help of the G.o.ds demanding.

Then listen, ye ingenuous youth,

Who hold wise saws respected: From he-goat and from beetles-tooth

A tree should be protected!

1815.

----- CAT-PIE.