Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Sämtliche Gedichte

Thou knowst how heappily they Freind
Walks upon florid Ways;
Thou knowst how heavens bounteous hand
Leads him to golden days.

But hah! a cruel ennemy5
Destroies all that Bless;
In Moments of Melancholy
Flies all my Happiness.

Then fogs of doubt do fill my mind
With deep obscurity;10
I search my self, and cannot find
A spark of Worth in me.

When tender freinds, to tender kiss,
Run up with open arms;
I think I merit not that bliss, 15
That like a kiss me warmeth.

Hah! when my child, I love thee, sayd,
And gave the kiss I sought;
Then I ‒ forgive me tender maid ‒
She is a false one, thought.20

She cannot love a peevish boy,
She with her godlike face.
O could I, freind, that thought destroy,
It leads the golden days.

An other thought is misfortune, 25
Is death and night to me:
I hum no supportable tune,
I can no poet be.

Then to the Altar of the Nine
A triste incense I bring;30
I beg let Poetry be mine
O Sistres let me sing.

But when they then my prayer not hear,
I break my whispring lite;
Then from my eyes runns down a tear,35
Extinguish th'incensed fire.

Then curse I, Freind, the fated sky,
And from th'altar I fly;
And to my Freinds aloud I cry,
Be happier then I.40