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WHEN THE FOX DIES, HIS SKIN COUNTS. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Goethe’s Works, vol. 1 (Poems) [1885]

Edition used:

Goethe’s Works, illustrated by the best German artists, 5 vols. (Philadelphia: G. Barrie, 1885). Vol. 1.

Part of: Goethe’s Works, 5 vols.

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WHEN THE FOX DIES, HIS SKIN COUNTS.

    • WE young people in the shade
    • Sat one sultry day;
    • Cupid came, and “Dies the Fox”
    • With us sought to play.
    • Each one of my friends then sat
    • By his mistress dear;
    • Cupid, blowing out the torch,
    • Said: “The taper’s here!”
    • Then we quickly sent around
    • The expiring brand;
    • Each one put it hastily
    • In his neighbor’s hand.
    • Dorilis then gave it me,
    • With a scoffing jest;
    • Sudden into flame it broke,
    • By my fingers press’d.
    • And it sing’d my eyes and face,
    • Set my breast on fire;
    • Then above my head the blaze
    • Mounted ever higher.
    • Vain I sought to put it out;
    • Ever burn’d the flame;
    • ’Stead of dying, soon the Fox
    • Livelier still became.
lf0841-01_figure_011

artist: k. kögler.

THE HEATHROSE.