Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow THE HARPER. - Goethe's Works, vol. 1 (Poems)

Return to Title Page for Goethe’s Works, vol. 1 (Poems)

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Literature

THE HARPER. - 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.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


THE HARPER.

    • “WHAT tuneful strains salute mine ear
    • Without the castle walls?
    • Oh, let the song re-echo here,
    • Within our festal halls!”
    • Thus spake the king, the page out-hied;
    • The boy return’d; the monarch cried:
    • “Admit the old man yonder!”
    • “All hail, ye noble lords to-night!
    • All hail, ye beauteous dames!
    • Star plac’d by star! What heavenly sight!
    • Who e’er can tell their names?
    • Within this glittering hall sublime,
    • Be clos’d, mine eyes! ’tis not the time
    • For me to feast my wonder.”
    • The minstrel straightway clos’d his eyes,
    • And woke a thrilling tone;
    • The knights look’d on in knightly guise,
    • Fair looks tow’rd earth were thrown.
    • The monarch, ravish’d by the strain,
    • Bade them bring forth a golden chain,
    • To be his numbers’ guerdon.
    • “The golden chain give not to me,
    • But give the chain to those
    • In whose bold face we shiver’d see
    • The lances of our foes.
    • Or give it to thy chancellor there;
    • With other burdens he may bear
    • This one more golden burden.
    • “I sing, like birds of blithesome note,
    • That in the branches dwell;
    • The song that rises from the throat
    • Repays the minstrel well.
    • One boon I’d crave, if not too bold—
    • One bumper in a cup of gold
    • Be as my guerdon given.”
    • The bowl he rais’d, the bowl he quaff’d:
    • “Oh, drink, with solace fraught!
    • Oh, house thrice-bless’d, where such a draught
    • A trifling gift is thought!
    • When Fortune smiles, remember me,
    • And as I thank you heartily
    • As warmly thank ye Heaven!”