The Beautiful Night

Woman on a Path by a Cottage. John Atkinson Grimshaw.

 

The Beautiful Night

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

Now I leave this cottage lowly,

Where my love hath made her home,

And with silent footsteps slowly

Through the darksome forest roam.

Luna breaks through oaks and bushes,

Zephyr hastes her steps to meet,

And the waving birch-tree blushes,

Scattering round her incense sweet.

Grateful are the cooling breezes

Of this beauteous summer night,

Here is felt the charm that pleases,

And that gives the soul delight.

Boundless is my joy; yet, Heaven,

Willingly I’d leave to thee

Thousand such nights, were one given

By my maiden loved to me!

2 thoughts on “The Beautiful Night”

  1. I really like this poem… I did not think I would because Geothe does not usually capture my attention fully at times… Did you know Geothe was one of Beethoven’s favorite poets? THey say Beethoven actually idolized him!

    1. I didn’t know about that connection, but Goethe and Beethoven do seem well-matched; read Goethe’s poem to the “Moonlight Sonata.”

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