West-Eastern Divan. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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pure intention Allah's name,
To love and deed it will inflame;
And women, more than others can,
Will vantage by the Talisman.
Like symbols, but on paper set
By pen-craft, form the Amulet;
No narrow limit here will hem
The scribe as with the graven gem,
And pious souls may thus rejoice
In longer verses of their choice;
Such papers round the neck men wear
Devoutly as a scapular.
Behind the Inscription no hid meanings lie;
It is itself – the sentence tells you all;
And this once read will straightway make you call
With glad assent – " Tis I that say it, I."
Abraxas I will seldom bring!
Here chiefly the distorted thought
Some gloomy madness has begot
Would pass for the divinest thing.
If things absurd I speak, believe
Tis an Abraxas that I give.
A Signet-ring's design craves studious care;
The highest sense in narrowest room must fit;
Yet if you plant a true idea there,
Graven stands the word and scarce you think of it.
III. FREEDOM OF SPIRIT
MINE be the saddle still, to ride
While you in hut or tent abide!
And gay I gallop through wilds afar,
Nought o'er my bonnet save the star.
The stars were appointed by His voice,
Your guides over land and sea,
That the heart within you may rejoice
And your glance still heavenward be.
IV. TALISMANS
GOD'S very own the Orient!
God's very own the Occident!
The North land and the Southern land
Rest in the quiet of His hand.
Justice apportioned to each one
Wills He Who is the Just alone.
Name all His hundred names, and then
Be this name lauded high! Amen.
Error would hold me tangled, yet
Thou knowest to free me from the net.
Whether I act or meditate
Grant me a way that shall be straight.
If earthly things possess my mind
Through these some higher gain I find;
Not blown abroad like dust, but driven
Inward, the spirit mounts toward heaven.
In every breath we breathe two graces share –
The indraught and the outflow of the air;
That is a toil, but this refreshment brings;
So marvellous are our life's comminglings.
Thank God when thou dost feel His hand constrain,
And thank when He releases Thee again.
V. FOUR GRACES
THAT glad of heart the Arab should
Roam his wild spaces o'er,
Hath Allah for the general good
Granted him graces four.
The turban first, a braver gear
Than crowns of Emperors old;
And, for his dwelling everywhere,
A tent to raise or fold.
A sword that surelier can defend
Than crag or turret-height,
A little song, which maids attend
For wisdom or delight.
If from her shawl my singing spell
Draw flowers that fall my way,
What is her own she knows right well,
And still is kind and gay.
With flowers and fruits the sense to please,
I deck the board for you,
And would you add moralities,
I give them gathered now.
VI. CONFESSION
WHAT is hard to cover? Fire!
Flame, the monster, will betray
By night its presence, smoke by day.
Hard to hide is love's desire;
However hushed and close it lies,
Love will leap forth from the eyes.
Hardest is a song to hide;
Under bushel 'twill not bide;
Did the poet sing it new,
It has pierced him through and through;
If pranked with pen, his eye approve it,
He would have the whole world love it,
Aloud he reads it joyously
To all – to plague or edify.
VII. ELEMENTS
SAY, from how many an element
True song should seek and suck its food,
Song, layfolks listen to content,
And masters hear in gladdest mood?
Love, past all things of common rate,
Be this our theme when we shall sing!
If love the verse should penetrate
The sweeter will its music ring.
Then must the meeting glasses clink,
While gleams the red wine circling round!
For those who love, for those who drink,
With smiles the fairest wreaths are wound.
And next the clash of arms I name,
The trumpet's blare must sound abroad.
So shall the hero, while in flame
Leaps victory, know himself a god.
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