Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/261

Rh TO CHARLOTTE.

the noise of merriment and glee, 'Midst full many a sorrow, many a care, Charlotte, I remember, we remember thee, How at evening's hour so fair, Thou a kindly hand didst reach us, When thou, in some happy place Where more fair is Nature's face, Many a lightly-hidden trace Of a spirit loved didst teach us.

Well 'tis that thy worth I rightly knew,— That I, in the hour when first we met, While the first impression filled me yet, Called thee then a girl both good and true.

Reared in silence, calmly, knowing nought, On the world we suddenly are thrown; Hundred thousand billows round us sport; All things charm us—many please alone, Many grieve us, and as hour on hour is stealing, To and fro our restless natures sway; First we feel, and then we find each feeling By the changeful world-stream borne away.

Well I know, we oft within us find Many a hope and many a smart. Charlotte, who can know our mind? Charlotte, who can know our heart? Ah! 'twould fain be understood, 'twould fain o'erflow In some creature's fellow-feelings blest, And, with trust, in twofold measure know All the grief and joy in Nature's breast.