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JOY AND SORROW. - 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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JOY AND SORROW.

    • AS a fisher-boy I far’d
    • To the black rock in the sea,
    • And, while false gifts I prepar’d,
    • Listen’d and sang merrily.
    • Down descended the decoy,
    • Soon a fish attack’d the bait;
    • One exulting shout of joy,—
    • And the fish was captur’d straight.
    • Ah! on shore, and to the wood
    • Past the cliffs, o’er stock and stone,
    • One foot’s traces I pursu’d,
    • And the maiden was alone.
    • Lips were silent, eyes downcast
    • As a clasp-knife snaps the bait,
    • With her snare she seiz’d me fast,
    • And the boy was captur’d straight.
    • Heav’n knows who’s the happy swain
    • That she rambles with anew!
    • I must dare the sea again,
    • Spite of wind and weather too.
    • When the great and little fish
    • Wail and flounder in my net,
    • Straight returns my eager wish
    • In her arms to revel yet!