Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/285

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In its deep wintry cavern melts away Self-love, so long in icy chains confined; No selfishness and no self-will are nigh, For at her advent they were forced to fly.

It seems as though she said: "As hours pass by They spread before us life with kindly plan; Small knowledge did the yesterday supply, To know the morrow is concealed from man; And if the thought of evening made me start, The sun at setting gladdened straight my heart.

"Act, then, as I, and look, with joyous mind, The moment in the face; nor linger thou! Meet it with speed, so fraught with life, so kind In action, and in love so radiant now; Let all things be where thou art, childlike ever, Thus thou'lt be all, thus thou'lt be vanquished never."

Thou speakest well, methought, for as thy guide The moment's favour did a god assign, And each one feels himself, when by thy side, Fate's favourite in a moment so divine; I tremble at thy look that bids me go, Why should I care such wisdom vast to know?

Now am I far! And what would best befit The present minute? I could scarcely tell; Full many a rich possession offers it, These but offend, and I would fain repel. Yearnings unquenchable still drive me on, All counsel, save unbounded tears, is gone.

Flow on, flow on in never-ceasing course, Yet may ye never quench my inward fire! Within my bosom heaves a mighty force, Where death and life contend in combat dire.