The Legend of the Pariah
The Pariah’s Prayer Great lord Brahma, lord of spirits, From whom all life traces its seed; Standing at creation’s summits, Was your will...
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Translation
- Sep 22, 2022
- 2 min
Legend of the Horseshoe by Wolfgang Goethe
When Jesus Christ still walked over the Earth, Outcast, and not yet known by holy birth, Though followed by many an eager youth Who...
Translation
- May 19, 2022
- 1 min
The King of Thule by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
A king once lived in Thule, Faithful until the grave, To whom his dying mistress A golden goblet gave. Nothing was dearer to him— He...
Translation
- Feb 8, 2022
- 1 min
Divinity by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Let all men be good, Noble and giving. For, that alone Distinguishes them From other beings Known in this world. Hail to the unknown...
By Rosa Tennenbaum
- Nov 13, 2021
- 23 min
1797, The"Year of the Ballad"—In the Poets’ Workshop
The year is 1797. Eight years after the beginning of the French Revolution, all hopes which had initially been placed in this uprising...
Translation
- Oct 18, 2021
- 3 min
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
With the old magician Gone once more away, Let my own ambition Make his wraiths obey. Carefully I noted His every word and sign. My will...
Translation
- Oct 1, 2021
- 1 min
Human Limitations by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
When the almighty Father of all things, Using his steady hand, Calmly unleashed his shafts Of lightning through the world, Scattering on...
Translation
- Jul 30, 2021
- 5 min
The Bride of Corinth (1797) by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
There once descended a youth from Athens Into a dreamy Corinthian town; He was eager to meet new family, friends, And his luscious bride...
Translation
- Sep 28, 2020
- 6 min
A Comparison of Goethe and Schiller's Poetry... by Heinrich Heine
From "The Romantic School", 1835 "...There was a craze for comparing the productions of the two poets, and opinions were divided. The...
By David B. Gosselin
- Aug 28, 2020
- 9 min
Profiles in Poetry: Johann Wolfgang Goethe
"The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) remains...
Translation
- Aug 10, 2020
- 1 min
On Contemplating Schiller's Skull
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Here in this charnel-house of bleaching bones, like...
Translation
- Feb 20, 2020
- 1 min
Goethe's Famous "Mailied"
How brightly nature Shines this morning! See the glowing sun! Hear the fields sing! Fragrant buds burst forth From each green frond! A...
Original Translation
- Aug 30, 2019
- 1 min
Goethe's "It Springs Eternal" Set by Johannes Brahms
Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53 "Marie and I were sitting in the dining-room when the bell rang, and we heard Brahms go to our mother's room. Soon...
Translation
- Jul 15, 2019
- 2 min
Goethe "Prometheus"
So cover up thy heaven, Zeus, With cloudy mist! And like a boy, who chops The heads from thistles, Go blast the oaks and mountaintops!...
Translation
- Jun 3, 2019
- 1 min
Goethe's "Nur Wer die Sehnsucht Kent"
Only he who truly longs Knows what grips me! Alone, the love that belongs With me has been set free. I look to the cloudy throngs Across...
Translation
- Mar 22, 2019
- 3 min
Der Erlkönig & Gretchen am Spinnrade Set by Franz Schubert
Der Erlkönig (The Elf King) Who goes there riding through the night and fog?— A father and son come journeying along; He holds him tight...
Original Translation
- Nov 26, 2018
- 1 min
The Quiet Sea & A Fortunate Voyage by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
The Quiet Sea Deep silence rules the paling waters— The pristine seas are soundless. Meanwhile a boatman looks on and shivers As he...
Translation
- Oct 30, 2018
- 2 min
The Treasure Seeker (1797) by Johannes Goethe
With an empty purse and a heavy heart I lugged myself through the dreary days. Poverty knows this life’s lowly ways, But gold can bring...
Translation
- Apr 19, 2018
- 1 min
Nearness of the Beloved by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
I think of you when the shimmering sea waves Shine bright on me; I think of you when the moon's resplendent rays Light up each stream. I...
Original Translation
- Mar 25, 2018
- 1 min
Wanderer’s Night Song II by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
II. Over the hilltops Is quietness, And in the treetops Emptiness, There's hardly a sigh. The birds are soundless in the forest; With...
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