Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LET THE LIGHT ENTER (THE DYING WORDS OF GOETHE), by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LET THE LIGHT ENTER (THE DYING WORDS OF GOETHE), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Light! More light! The shadows deepen'
Last Line: Then be blessed with light, more light.
Subject(s): Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von (1749-1832)


The Dying Words of Goethe

"Light! more light! the shadows deepen,
And my life is ebbing low,
Throw the windows widely open;
Light! more light! before I go.

"Softly let the balmy sunshine
Play around my dying bed,
O'er the dimly lighted valley
I with lonely feet must tread.

"Light! more light! for Death is weaving
Shadows 'round my waning sight,
And I fain would gaze upon him
Through a stream of earthly light."

Not for greater gifts of genius;
Not for thoughts more grandly bright.
All the dying poet whispers
Is a prayer for light, more light.

Heeds he not the gathered laurels,
Fading slowly from his sight;
All the poet's aspirations
Centre in that prayer for light.

Gracious Saviour, when life's day-dreams
Melt and vanish from the sight,
May our dim and longing vision
Then be blessed with light, more light.






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