Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HASTE NOT! REST NOT!, by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HASTE NOT! REST NOT!, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Without haste! Without rest!
Last Line: God shall crown thy work at last.
Subject(s): Deliberation; Labor & Laborers; Rest; Work; Workers


Without haste! without rest!
Bind the motto to thy breast;
Bear it with thee as a spell:
Storm and sunshine guard it well!
Heed not flower's that round thee bloom,
Bear it onward to the tomb.
Haste not! Let no thoughtless deed
Mar for aye the spirit's speed;
Ponder well, and know the right;
Onward, then, with all thy might.
Haste not! Years can ne'er atone
For one reckless action done.
Rest not! Life is sweeping by;
Go and dare before you die:
Something mighty and sublime
Leave behind to conquer time!
Glorious 't is to live for aye,
When these forms have passed away.
Haste not! Rest not! Calmly wait;
Meekly hear the storms of fate!
Duty be thy polar guide,--
Do the right, whate'er betide!
Haste not! Rest not! Conflicts past,
God shall crown thy work at last.




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