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PHILINE. - 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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PHILINE.

    • SING no more in mournful tones
    • Of the loneliness of night;
    • For ’tis made, ye beauteous ones,
    • For all social pleasures bright.
    • As of old to man a wife
    • As his better half was given,
    • So the night is half our life,
    • And the fairest under heaven.
    • How can ye enjoy the day,
    • Which obstructs our rapture’s tide?
    • Let it waste itself away;
    • Worthless ’tis for aught beside.
    • But when in the darkling hours
    • From the lamp soft rays are glowing,
    • And from mouth to mouth sweet showers,
    • Now of jest, now love, are flowing,—
    • When the nimble, wanton boy,
    • Who so wildly spends his days,
    • Oft amid light sports with joy
    • O’er some trifling gift delays,—
    • When the nightingale is singing
    • Strains the lover holds so dear,
    • Though like sighs and wailings ringing
    • In the mournful captive’s ear,—
    • With what heart-emotion bless’d
    • Do ye hearken to the bell,
    • Wont of safety and of rest
    • With twelve solemn strokes to tell!
    • Therefore in each heavy hour,
    • Let this precept fill your heart:
    • O’er each day will sorrow lour,
    • Rapture ev’ry night impart.
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Ballads

Poets’ art is ever able

To endow with truth mere fable.