Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/369

Rh 

 VENETIAN EPIGRAMS.

and sarcophagus erst were with life adorned by the heathen; Fauns are dancing around, while with the Bacchanal troop Checkered circles they trace; and the goat-footed, puffy-cheeked player Wildly produceth hoarse tones out of the clamorous horn. Cymbals and drums resound; we see and we hear, too, the marble. Fluttering bird! oh, how sweet tastes the ripe fruit to thy bill! Noise there is none to disturb thee, still less to scare away Amor, Who, in the midst of the throng, learns to delight in his torch. Thus doth fulness overcome death; and the ashes there covered Seem, in that silent domain, still to be gladdened with life. Thus may the minstrel's sarcophagus be hereafter surrounded With such a scroll, which himself richly with life has adorned. 