The Poems of Goethe Part 139

Far doth outweigh us, And, as we tended him,

So will repay us.

Early removed were we

Far from life's story; Train'd now himself, will he

Train us in glory.

THE PENITENT, once named Margaret.

Link'd with the n.o.ble band of spirits,

Scarce can the new one feel or see The radiant life he now inherits,

So like that holy band is he.

See how he bursts each bond material,

And parts the olden veil at length,-- In vesture clad of grace ethereal,

Comes in the glow of youthful strength.

Oh, let me guide his steps victorious,

While dazzled by the new-born light.

MATER GLORIOSA.

Come! raise thyself to spheres more glorious, He'll follow when thou matzoth his sight.

DOCTOR MARINAS.

(Prostrated in adoration.)

O repentant sinful ones,

On that bright face gaze ye, And, in grateful orisons,

Your blest fortune praise ye!

Be each virtue of the mind

To thy service given!

Virgin, mother, be thou kind!

G.o.ddess, queen of heaven!

CHORUS MYSTICS.

Each thing of mortal birth

Is but a type What was of feeble worth

Here becomes ripe.

What was a mystery

Here meets the eye; The ever-womanly

Draws us on high.

(Finis.) ----- FROM IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS.

ACT IV. SCENE 5.

SONG OF THE FATES.

YE children of mortals The deities dread!

The mastery hold they In hands all-eternal, And use them, unquestioned, What manner they like.

Let him fear them doubly, Whom they have uplifted!

On cliffs and on clouds, oh, Round tables all-golden, he seats are made ready.

When rises contention, The guests are humid downwards With shame and dishonor To deep depths of midnight, And vainly await they, Bound fast in the darkness, A just condemnation.

But they remain ever In firmness unshaken Round tables all-golden.

On stride they from mountain To mountain far distant: From out the abysses'

Dark jaws, the breath rises Of torment-choked t.i.tans Up tow'rds them, like incense In light clouds ascending.

The rulers immortal Avert from whole peoples Their blessing-fraught glances, And shun, in the children, To trace the once cherish'd, Still, eloquent features Their ancestors wore.

Thus chanted the Parae; The old man, the banish'd, In gloomy vault lying, Their song overheareth, Sons, grandsons remembereth, And shaketh his head.

----- FROM GOTZ VON BERLICHINGEN.

ACT II.

LIEBETRAUT plays and sings.

HIS bow and dart bearing, And torch brightly flaring,

Dan Cupid on flies; With victory laden, To vanquish each maiden

He roguishly tries.

Up! up!

On! on!

His arms rattle loudly, His wings rustle proudly, And flames fill his eyes.

Then finds he each bosom

Defenseless and bare; They gladly receive him

And welcome him there.