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God, Soul, and World by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
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The Metamorphosis of Plants |
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The Metamorphosis of Plants THOU art confused, my beloved, at, seeing the thousandfold union Shown in this flowery troop, over the garden dispers'd; Falls on thy list'ning ear, with a barbarian sound. Therefore, a mystical law is by the chorus proclaim'd; Happily teach thee the word, which may the mystery solve! Step by step guided on, changeth to blossom and fruit! Fruit-bearing womb of the earth kindly allows Its escape, Trusteth the delicate leaves, feebly beginning to shoot. Peacefully lock'd in itself, 'neath the integument lay, Thus doth the kernel, while dry, cover that motionless life. And, from the night where it dwelt, straightway ascendeth to light. And 'tis a token like this, points out the child 'mid the plants. Piling-up node upon node, ever the primitive form; Ever produceth itself, fashioned in manifold ways. Which. all-deform'd until now, slept in the organ below, Which, in full many a tribe, fills thee with wondering awe. Free and unending the shoot seemeth in fullness to be; And to a perfecter end, guideth with softness its growth, So that the figure ere long gentler effects doth disclose. And the rib of the stalk fuller becometh in form. And a miraculous sight doth the observer enchant. Gather the smaller-sized leaves, close by the side of their like. And, as the perfectest type, brilliant-hued coronals forms. Showing, in order arranged, member on member uprear'd. Over the scaffolding frail of the alternating leaves. Yes, the leaf with its hues feeleth the hand all divine, Twofold as yet, hasten on, destined to blend into one. Gather'd in countless array, there where the altar is raised. Stream forth their fragrance so sweet, all things enliv'ning around. Sweetly conceald in the womb, where is made perfect the fruit. Yet doth a new one, at once, cling to the one gone before, And that the whole may have life, e'en as enjoy'd by each part. Which, confusing no more, gladden the mind as they wave. Every flowered speaks louder and louder to thee; Everywhere will they be seen, e'en though the features are changed. Plastic and forming, may man change e'en the figure decreed! Kindly intercourse sprang, slowly unfolding its leaves; And how Amor, at length, brought forth blossom and fruit Silently giving them birth, either the first or the last! Seeketh the noblest of fruits,--that where the thoughts are the same, Lovingly blend into one,--find the more excellent world. 1797. Content of The Metamorphosis of Plants Read previous: Procemion Table of content of God, Soul, and World GO TO TOP OF SCREEN Post your review Your review will be placed after the table of content of this book |