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CHRISTEL. - 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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CHRISTEL.

    • MY senses ofttimes are oppress’d,
    • Oft stagnant is my blood;
    • But when by Christel’s sight I’m bless’d,
    • I feel my strength renew’d.
    • I see her here, I see her there,
    • And really cannot tell
    • The manner how, the when, the where,
    • The why I love her well.
    • If with the merest glance I view
    • Her black and roguish eyes,
    • And gaze on her black eyebrows too,
    • My spirit upward flies.
    • Has any one a mouth so sweet,
    • Such love-round cheeks as she?
    • Ah, when the eye her beauties meet,
    • It ne’er content can be.
    • And when in airy German dance
    • I clasp her form divine,
    • So quick we whirl, so quick advance,
    • What rapture then like mine!
    • And when she’s giddy, and feels warm,
    • I cradle her, poor thing,
    • Upon my breast, and in mine arm,—
    • I’m then a very king!
    • And when she looks with love on me,
    • Forgetting all but this,
    • When press’d against my bosom, she
    • Exchanges kiss for kiss,
    • All through my marrow runs a thrill,
    • Runs e’en my foot along!
    • I feel so well, I feel so ill,
    • I feel so weak, so strong!
    • Would that such moments ne’er would end!
    • The day ne’er long I find;
    • Could I the night too with her spend,
    • E’en that I should not mind.
    • If she were in mine arms but held,
    • To quench love’s thirst I’d try;
    • And could my torments not be quell’d,
    • Upon her breast would die.