Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 13.djvu/71

Rh influence, and was thus never constant to one thing, because his susceptibility was connected with an impatience which soon made him weary. There are men who learn many languages, and never thoroughly master the grammar of one. Of these was Goethe. Easily excited to throw his energy in a new direction, he had not the patience which begins at the beginning and rises gradually, slowly into assured mastery. Like an eagle he swooped down upon his prey; he could not watch for it, with cat-like patience. It is to this impatience we must attribute the fact of so many works being left fragments, so many composed by snatches during long intervals. "Prometheus," "Mahomet," "Die Natürliche Tochter," "Elpenor," "Achilleis," "Nausikäa," remain fragments. "Faust," "Egmont," "Tasso," "Iphigenia," "Meister," were many years in hand. Whatever could be done in a few days—while the impulse lasted—was done; longer works were spread over a series of years.