Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/21

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VII. "I name thee not, but I have heard thee named, And heard thee styled their own ere now by many; All eyes believe at thee their glance is aimed, Though thine effulgence is too great for any. Ah! I had many comrades whilst I wandered— I know thee now, and stand almost alone: I veil thy light, too precious to be squandered, And share the inward joy I feel with none."

VIII. Smiling, she said—"Thou seest 'twas wise from thee To keep the fuller, greater revelation: Scarce art thou from grotesque delusions free, Scarce master of thy childish first sensation; Yet deem'st thyself so far above thy brothers, That thou hast won the right to scorn them! Cease Who made the yawning gulf 'twixt thee and others? Know—know thyself—live with the world in peace."

IX. "Forgive me!" I exclaimed, "I meant no ill, Else should in vain my eyes be disenchanted; Within my blood there stirs a genial will I know the worth of all that thou hast granted. That boon I hold in trust for others merely, Nor shall I let it rust within the ground; Why sought I out the pathway so sincerely, If not to guide my brothers to the bound?"

X. And as I spoke, upon her radiant face Passed a sweet smile, like breath across a mirror, And in her eyes' bright meaning I could trace What I had answered well, and what in error.