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THE LEGEND OF THE HORSESHOE. - 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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THE LEGEND OF THE HORSESHOE.

    • WHAT time our Lord still walk’d the earth,
    • Unknown, despis’d, of humble birth,
    • And on Him many a youth attended
    • (His words they seldom comprehended),
    • It ever seem’d to Him most meet
    • To hold His court in open street,
    • As under heaven’s broad canopy
    • One speaks with greater liberty.
    • The teachings of His blessed word
    • From out His holy mouth were heard;
    • Each market to a fane turn’d He
    • With parable and simile.
    • One day, as tow’rd a town He rov’d,
    • In peace of mind with those He lov’d,
    • Upon the path a something gleam’d:
    • A broken horseshoe ’twas, it seem’d.
    • So to St. Peter thus He spake:
    • “That piece of iron prithee take!”
    • St. Peter’s thoughts had gone astray;
    • He had been musing on his way
    • Respecting the world’s government—
    • A dream that always gives content,
    • For in the head ’tis check’d by naught;
    • This ever was his dearest thought.
    • For him this prize was far too mean;—
    • Had it a crown and sceptre been!
    • But surely ’twasn’t worth the trouble
    • For half a horseshoe to bend double!
    • And so he turn’d away his head
    • As if he heard not what was said.
    • The Lord, forbearing tow’rd all men,
    • Himself pick’d up the horseshoe then
    • (He ne’er again like this stoop’d down).
    • And when at length they reach’d the town,
    • Before a smithy He remain’d,
    • And there a penny for’t obtain’d.
    • As they the market-place went by,
    • Some beauteous cherries caught His eye;
    • Accordingly He bought as many
    • As could be purchas’d for a penny,
    • And then, as oft His wont had been,
    • Plac’d them within his sleeve unseen.
    • They went out by another gate,
    • O’er plains and fields proceeding straight;
    • No house or tree was near the spot;
    • The sun was bright, the day was hot;
    • In short, the weather being such,
    • A draught of water was worth much.
    • The Lord walk’d on before them all,
    • And let, unseen, a cherry fall.
    • St. Peter rush’d to seize it bold,
    • As though an apple ’twere of gold;
    • His palate much approv’d the berry.
    • The Lord ere long another cherry
    • Once more let fall upon the plain;
    • St. Peter forthwith stoop’d again.
    • The Lord kept making him thus bend
    • To pick up cherries without end.
    • For a long time the thing went on;
    • The Lord then said, in cheerful tone:
    • “Hadst thou but mov’d when thou wert bid,
    • Thou of this trouble hadst been rid;
    • The man who small things scorns will next
    • By things still smaller be perplex’d.”

Epigrams.

In these numbers be express’d

Meaning deep, ’neath merry jest.