Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/110

88 Home from the altar both, With many a youthful pair,— Then other moons had birth, And many a beauteous sun, Then we had gained the earth Whereon life's race to run.

A hundred thousand fold The mighty bond was sealed; In woods, on mountains cold, In bushes, in the field, Within the wall, in caves, And on the craggy height, And love, e'en o'er the waves, Bore in his tube the light.

Contented we remained, We deemed ourselves a pair; 'Twas otherwise ordained, For, lo! a third was there; A fourth, fifth, sixth appeared, And sat around our board; And now the plants we've reared High o'er our heads have soared.

How fair and pleasant looks, On yonder beauteous spot, Embraced by poplar-brooks, The newly finished cot! Who is it there that sits In that glad home above? Is't not our darling Fritz With his own darling love?

Beside yon precipice, Whence pent-up waters steal,