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ON THE NEW YEAR. - 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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ON THE NEW YEAR.

    • FATE now allow us,
    • ’Twixt the departing
    • And the upstarting,
    • Happy to be;
    • And at the call of
    • Memory cherish’d,
    • Future and perish’d
    • Moments we see.
    • Seasons of anguish,—
    • Ah, they must ever
    • Truth from woe sever,
    • Love and joy part;
    • Days still more worthy
    • Soon will unite us,
    • Fairer songs light us,
    • Strength’ning the heart.
    • We, thus united,
    • Think of, with gladness,
    • Rapture and sadness,
    • Sorrow now flies.
    • Oh, how mysterious
    • Fortune’s direction!
    • Old the connection,
    • New-born the prize!
    • Thank, for this, Fortune,
    • Wavering blindly!
    • Thank all that kindly
    • Fate may bestow!
    • Revel in change’s
    • Impulses clearer,
    • Love far sincerer,
    • More heartfelt glow!
    • Over the old one,
    • Wrinkles collected,
    • Sad and dejected,
    • Others may view;
    • But, on us gently
    • Shineth a true one,
    • And to the new one
    • We, too, are new.
    • As a fond couple
    • ’Midst the dance veering,
    • First disappearing,
    • Then reappear,
    • So let affection
    • Guide thro’ life’s mazy
    • Pathways so hazy
    • Into the year!