Home > Authors Index > Browse all available works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > Text of Farewell (1767)
A poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
||
Farewell (1767) |
||
________________________________________________
Title: Farewell (1767) Author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [More Titles by Goethe] (1767) VAINLY wouldst thou, to gain a heart, Heap up a maiden's lap with gold; Wouldst thou e'er see those joys unfold. No single heart 'twill win for thee; Thyself alone the bribe must be. If by no sacred tie thou'rt bound, Oh youth, thou must thyself restrain! Tho' man may seem to wear a chain. And if her heart with love o'erflows, If duty's self no fetter knows. First feel, oh youth! A girl then find Worthy thy choice,--let her choose thee, And then thou wilt be blessed, like me. A girl have chosen such as this Is wanting to complete our bliss. Nought but my rapture is her guide, Only for me she cares to please,-- And modest when the world she sees; She yields no right through frailty; And I must ever grateful be. Yet I'm content, and full of joy, If she'll but grant her smile so sweet, To pillow hers, her lover's feet, The glass from which she drank, bestow, Her bosom, veil'd till then, will show. And when she wills of love to speak, In fond and silent hours of bliss, Nought else I crave,--not e'en a kiss. Wreath'd round with charms unceasingly! Save in her deigning to love me. My rev'rence throws me at her feet, My longing throws me on her breast; Be wise, thus seeking to be blest. To join the angelic choir above,
-THE END- GO TO TOP OF SCREEN |