Food In Travel – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

IF to her eyes’ bright lustre I were blind,
No longer would they serve my life to gild.
The will of destiny must be fulfilid,–
This knowing, I withdrew with sadden’d mind.
No further happiness I now could find:
The former longings of my heart were still’d;
I sought her looks alone, whereon to build
My joy in life,–all else was left behind.
Wine’s genial glow, the festal banquet gay,
Ease, sleep, and friends, all wonted pleasures glad
I spurn’d, till little there remain’d to prove.
Now calmly through the world I wend my way:
That which I crave may everywhere be had,
With me I bring the one thing needful–love.

On The New Year – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

FATE now allows us, 
‘Twixt the departing 
And the upstarting, 

Happy to be; 

And at the call of 
Memory cherish’d, 
Future and perish’d 

Moments we see. 
Seasons of anguish,– 
Ah, they must ever 
Truth from woe sever, 

Love and joy part; 

Days still more worthy 
Soon will unite us, 
Fairer songs light us, 

Strength’ning the heart. 
We, thus united, 
Think of, with gladness, 
Rapture and sadness, 

Sorrow now flies. 

Oh, how mysterious 
Fortune’s direction! 
Old the connection, 
New-born the prize! 
Thank, for this, Fortune, 
Wavering blindly! 
Thank all that kindly 

Fate may bestow! 

Revel in change’s 
Impulses clearer, 
Love far sincerer, 

More heartfelt glow! 
Over the old one, 
Wrinkles collected, 
Sad and dejected, 

Others may view; 

But, on us gently 
Shineth a true one, 
And to the new one 

We, too, are new. 
As a fond couple 
‘Midst the dance veering, 
First disappearing, 

Then reappear, 

So let affection 
Guide thro’ life’s mazy 
Pathways so hazy 

Into the year!

New Love, New Life – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

HEART! my heart! what means this feeling? 
What oppresseth thee so sore? 

What strange life is o’er me stealing! 
I acknowledge thee no more. 

Fled is all that gave thee gladness, 

Fled the cause of all thy sadness, 
Fled thy peace, thine industry- 
Ah, why suffer it to be? 
Say, do beauty’s graces youthful, 
Does this form so fair and bright, 

Does this gaze, so kind, so truthful, 
Chain thee with unceasing might? 

Would I tear me from her boldly, 

Courage take, and fly her coldly, 
Back to her. I’m forthwith led 
By the path I seek to tread. 

By a thread I ne’er can sever, 
For ’tis ‘twined with magic skill, 

Doth the cruel maid for ever 
Hold me fast against my will. 

While those magic chains confine me, 

To her will I must resign me. 
Ah, the change in truth is great! 
Love! kind love! release me straight!

Declaration Of War – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

OH, would I resembled 
The country girls fair, 

Who rosy-red ribbons 
And yellow hats wear! 
To believe I was pretty 
I thought was allow’d; 

In the town I believed it 
When by the youth vow’d. 
Now that Spring hath return’d, 
All my joys disappear; 

The girls of the country 
Have lured him from here. 
To change dress and figure, 
Was needful I found, 

My bodice is longer, 
My petticoat round. 
My hat now is yellow. 
My bodice like snow; 

The clover to sickle 
With others I go. 
Something pretty, e’er long 
Midst the troop he explores; 

The eager boy signs me 
To go within doors. 
I bashfully go,– 
Who I am, he can’t trace; 

He pinches my cheeks, 
And he looks in my face. 
The town girl now threatens 
You maidens with war; 

Her twofold charms pledges . 
Of victory are.

Lover In All Shapes – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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!

Joy And Sorrow – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

As a fisher-boy I fared 
To the black rock in the sea, 

And, while false gifts I prepared. 
Listen’d and sang merrily, 

Down descended the decoy, 
Soon a fish attack’d the bait; 

One exultant shout of joy,– 
And the fish was captured straight. 
Ah! on shore, and to the wood 
Past the cliffs, o’er stock and stone, 

One foot’s traces I pursued, 
And the maiden was alone. 

Lips were silent, eyes downcast 
As a clasp-knife snaps the bait, 

With her snare she seized me fast, 
And the boy was captured straight. 
Heav’n knows who’s the happy swain 
That she rambles with anew! 

I must dare the sea again, 
Spite of wind and weather too. 

When the great and little fish 
Wail and flounder in my net, 

Straight returns my eager wish 
In her arms to revel yet!

Happiness And Vision – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

TOGETHER at the altar we 

In vision oft were seen by thee, 
Thyself as bride, as bridegroom I. 

Oft from thy mouth full many a kiss 

In an unguarded hour of bliss 
I then would steal, while none were by. 
The purest rapture we then knew, 

The joy those happy hours gave too, 
When tasted, fled, as time fleets on. 

What now avails my joy to me? 

Like dreams the warmest kisses flee, 
Like kisses, soon all joys are gone.