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EFFECTS AT A DISTANCE. - 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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EFFECTS AT A DISTANCE.

lf0841-01_figure_047
    • THE queen in the lofty hall takes her place,
    • The tapers around her are flaming;
    • She speaks to the page: “With a nimble pace
    • Go, fetch me my purse for gaming.
    • ’Tis lying, I’ll pledge,
    • On my table’s edge.”
    • Each nerve the nimble boy straineth,
    • And the end of the castle soon gaineth.
    • The fairest of maidens was sipping sherbet
    • Beside the queen that minute;
    • Near her mouth broke the cup,—and she got so wet!
    • The very devil seem’d in it!
    • What fearful distress!
    • ’Tis spoil’d, her gay dress!
    • She hastens, and ev’ry nerve straineth,
    • And the end of the castle soon gaineth.
    • The boy was returning, and quickly came,
    • And met the sorrowing maiden;
    • None knew of the fact,—and yet with Love’s flame,
    • Those two had their hearts full laden.
    • And, oh, the bliss
    • Of a moment like this!
    • Each falls on the breast of the other,
    • With kisses that well nigh might smother.
    • They tear themselves asunder at last,
    • To her chamber she hastens quickly;
    • To reach the queen the page hies him fast,
    • Midst the swords and the fans crowded thickly.
    • The queen spied amain
    • On his waistcoat a stain;
    • For nought was inscrutable to her,
    • Like Sheba’s queen—Solomon’s wooer.
    • To her chief attendant she forthwith cried:
    • “We lately together contended,
    • And thou didst assert, with obstinate pride,
    • That the spirit through space never wended,—
    • That traces alone
    • By the present were shown,—
    • That afar nought was fashion’d,—not even
    • By the stars that illumine yon heaven.
    • “Now see! while a goblet beside me they drain’d,
    • They spill’d all the drink in the chalice;
    • And straightway the boy had his waistcoat stain’d
    • At the furthermost end of the palace.—
    • Let them newly be clad!
    • And since I am glad
    • That it serv’d as a proof so decided,
    • The cost will by me be provided.”