The Poems of Goethe Part 97

Matters look very had to-night.

Let's go a street or two, though, hence, And gaze upon the stars from thence."-- No change appears in either case.

Let each remain then in his place, And wisely do the best he can, Patient as any other man.

1821.*

----- THE BUYERS.

To an apple-woman's stall

Once some children nimbly ran; Longing much to purchase all, They with joyous haste began s.n.a.t.c.hing up the piles there raised, While with eager eyes they gazed On the rosy fruit so nice; But when they found out the price, Down they threw the whole they'd got, Just as if they were red hot.

The man who gratis will his goods supply Will never find a lack of folks to buy!

1820.

----- THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE.

"THE mountain village was destroy'd; But see how soon is fill'd the void!

Shingles and boards, as by magic arise, The babe in his cradle and swaddling-clothes lies; How blest to trust to G.o.d's protection!"

Behold a wooden new erection, So that, if sparks and wind but choose, G.o.d's self at such a game must lose!

1821.*

----- SYMBOLS.

PALM Sunday at the Vatican

They celebrate with palms; With reverence bows each holy man,

And chaunts the ancient psalms.

Those very psalms are also sung

With olive boughs in hand, While holly, mountain wilds among,

In place of palms must stand: In fine, one seeks some twig that's green,

And takes a willow rod, So that the pious man may e'en

In small things praise his G.o.d.

And if ye have observed it well,

To gain what's fit ye're able, If ye in faith can but excel;

Such are the myths of fable.

1827.*

----- THREE PALINODIAS.

I.

"Incense is hut a tribute for the G.o.ds,-- To mortals 'tis but poison."

THE smoke that from thine altar blows,

Can it the G.o.ds offend?

For I observe thou hold'st thy nose--

Pray what does this portend?

Mankind deem incense to excel

Each other earthly thing, So he that cannot bear its smell,

No incense e'er should bring.

With unmoved face by thee at least

To dolls is homage given; If not obstructed by the priest,

The scent mounts up to heaven.

1827.*

II

CONFLICT OF WIT AND BEAUTY.

SIR Wit, who is so much esteem'd,

And who is worthy of all honour, Saw Beauty his superior deem'd

By folks who loved to gaze upon her; At this he was most sorely vex'd.

Then came Sir Breath (long known as fit

To represent the cause of wit),

Beginning, rudely, I admit, To treat the lady with a text.

To this she hearken'd not at all, But hasten'd to his princ.i.p.al: "None are so wise, they say, as you,-- Is not the world enough for two?

If you are obstinate, good-bye!

If wise, to love me you will try, For be a.s.sured the world can ne'er Give birth to a more handsome pair."

1827.*

FAIR daughters were by Beauty rear'd,