Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/415

Rh Yet, though so skilled, of such transcendent worth, This boarded scaffold doth he not despise; The fate that on its axis turns the earth From day to night, here shows he to our eyes, Raising, through many a work of glorious birth, Art and the artist's fame up toward the skies. He fills with blossoms of the noblest strife, With life, itself, this effigy of life.

His giant-step, as ye full surely know, Measured the circle of the will and deed, Each country's changing thoughts and morals, too, The darksome book with clearness could he read; Yet how he, breathless 'midst his friends so true, Despaired in sorrow, scarce from pain was freed,— All this have we, in sadly happy years, For he was ours, bewailed with feeling tears.

When from the agonising weight of grief He raised his eyes upon the world again, We showed him how his thoughts might find relief From the uncertain present's heavy chain, Gave his fresh-kindled mind a respite brief, With kindly skill beguiling every pain, And e'en at eve when setting was his sun, From his wan cheeks a gentle smile we won.

Full early had he read the stern decree. Sorrow and death to him, alas, were known; Ofttimes recovering, now departed he,— Dread tidings, that our hearts had feared to own! Yet his transfigured being now can see Itself, e'en here on earth, transfigured grown. What his own age reproved, and deemed a crime, Hath been ennobled now by death and time.