Poems

Poems List

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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Critic

The Critic

I HAD a fellow as my guest,
Not knowing he was such a pest,
And gave him just my usual fare;
He ate his fill of what was there…

410
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Country Schoolmaster

The Country Schoolmaster

I.
A MASTER of a country school
Jump'd up one day from off his stool,
Inspired with firm resolve to try

356
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Consecrated Spot

The Consecrated Spot

WHEN in the dance of the Nymphs, in the moonlight so holy assembled,
Mingle the Graces, down from Olympus in secret descending,

342
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Convivial Book - Can The Koran From Eternity Be?

The Convivial Book - Can The Koran From Eternity Be?

'Tis worth not a thought!

Can the Koran a creation, then, be?
Of that, I know nought…

265
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Chosen Cliff

The Chosen Cliff

HERE in silence the lover fondly mused on his loved one;
Gladly he spake to me thus: "Be thou my witness, thou stone!
Yet thou m…

399
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Bridegroom

The Bridegroom

I SLEPT,--'twas midnight,--in my bosom woke,

As though 'twere day, my love-o'erflowing heart;
To me it seemed like night, …

439
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Brethren

The Brethren

SLUMBER and Sleep, two brethren ordain'd by the gods to their service,

Were by Prometheus implored, comfort to give to his race;

357
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Book Of Paradise - The Seven Sleepers

The Book Of Paradise - The Seven Sleepers

Six among the courtiers favour'd
Fly before the Caesar's fury,
Who would as a god be worshipp'd,

322
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Bliss Of Sorrow

The Bliss Of Sorrow

NEVER dry, never dry,
Tears that eternal love sheddeth!

How dreary, how dead doth the world still appear,
Whe…

307
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Best

The Best

WHEN head and heart are busy, say,

What better can be found?
Who neither loves nor goes astray,
Were better under ground.

362
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Table Song

Table Song

O'ER me--how I cannot say,-


Heav'nly rapture's growing.
Will it help to guide my way
To yon stars all-glowing? …

363
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Beauteous Flower - Son Of The Imprisioned Count

The Beauteous Flower - Son Of The Imprisioned Count

COUNT.
I KNOW a flower of beauty rare,
Ah, how I hold it dear!


To see…

318
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Swiss Song

Swiss Song

Up in th' mountain
I was a-sitting,
With the bird there
As my guest,
Blithely singing,
Blithely springing,

376
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Spirit Song Over The Waters

Spirit Song Over The Waters

THE soul of man
Resembleth water:
From heaven it cometh,
To heaven it soareth.
And then again

468
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Solitude

Solitude


OH ye kindly nymphs, who dwell 'mongst the rocks and the thickets,
Grant unto each whatsoe'er he may in silence desire!
Comfort …

401
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Songs

Songs


SONGS are like painted window-panes!
In darkness wrapp'd the church remains,
If from the market-place we view it;
Thus sees…

459
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

She Cannot End

She Cannot End

WHEN unto thee I sent the page all white,
Instead of first thereon inscribing aught,
The space thou doubtless filledst up in sport…

319
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sicilian Song

Sicilian Song

YE black and roguish eyes,

If ye command.
Each house in ruins lies,
No town can stand.


And …

315
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Rules For Monarchs

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 wo…

390
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sameness

Sameness


Over all hilltops
is peace
in all the treetops
you feel
barely a breeze;
The birds in the forest have

435
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

River Lilies

River Lilies

Saw a boy three lilies white,
Lilies in the river,
Half heart-open to the light,
Full of golden arrows bright,
Each …

335
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Roman Elegies I

Roman Elegies I

Tell me you stones, O speak, you towering palaces!
Streets, say a word! Spirit of this place, are you dumb?
All things are alive …

422
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Rhymed Distichs

Rhymed Distichs

WHO trusts in God,
Fears not His rod.

THIS truth may be by all believed:
Whom God deceives, is well deceived.

427
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Reciprocal Invitation To The Dance

Reciprocal Invitation To The Dance

THE INDIFFERENT.
COME to the dance with me, come with me, fair one!
Dances a feast-day like this may well crow…

316