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A poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
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The Traveller and the Farm-Maiden |
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Title: The Traveller and the Farm-Maiden Author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [More Titles by Goethe] HE. CANST thou give, oh fair and matchless maiden, 'Neath the shadow of the lindens yonder, Where I'd fain one moment cease to wander, SHE. Wouldst thou find refreshment, traveller weary, Bread, ripe fruit and cream to meet thy wishes, None but Nature's plain and homely dishes, HE. Dreams of old acquaintance now pass through me, Ne'er-forgotten queen of hours of blisses. Likenesses I've often found, but this is SHE. Travellers often wonder beyond measure, But their wonder soon see cause to smother; Fair and dark are often like each other, HE. Not now for the first time I surrender To this form, in humble adoration; It was brightest midst the constellation SHE. Be thou joyful that 'tis in my power To complete thy strange and merry story! Silks behind her, full of purple glory, HE. No, in truth, thou hast not sung it rightly! Spirits may have told thee all about it; Pearls and gems they spoke of, do not doubt it,-- SHE. This one thing I certainly collected: That the fair one--(say nought, I entreat thee!) Fondly hoping once again to meet thee, HE. By each wind I ceaselessly was driven, Seeking gold and honour, too, to capture! When my wand'rings end, then oh, what rapture, SHE. 'Tis the daughter of the race now banish'd That thou seest, not her likeness only; Helen and her brother, glad though lonely, HE. But the owner surely is not wanting Of these plains, with ev'ry beauty teeming? Verdant fields, broad meads, and pastures gleaming, SHE. Thou must hunt the world through, wouldst thou find him!-- We have wealth enough in our possession, And intend to purchase the succession, HE. I have learnt the owner's own condition, And, fair maiden, thou indeed canst buy it; But the cost is great, I won't deny it,-- SHE. Did then fate and rank keep us asunder, And must Love take this road, and no other? Yonder comes my dear and trusty brother; 1803. -THE END- GO TO TOP OF SCREEN |