Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE TREASURE-SEEKER, by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE Poet's Biography First Line: Many weary days I suffer'd Last Line: So shall peace return to thee!' Subject(s): Peace; Soul; Treasures | ||||||||
I MANY weary days I suffer'd, Sick of heart and poor of purse; Riches are the greatest blessing -- Poverty the deepest curse! Till at last to dig a treasure Forth I went into the wood -- 'Fiend! my soul is thine for ever!' And I sign'd the scroll with blood. II Then I drew the magic circles, Kindled the mysterious fire, Placed the herbs and bones in order, Spoke the incantation dire. And I sought the buried metal With a spell of mickle might -- Sought it as my master taught me; Black and stormy was the night. III And I saw a light appearing In the distance, like a star; When the midnight hour was tolling, Came it waxing from afar: Came it flashing, swift and sudden, As if fiery wine it were, Flowing from an open chalice, Which a beauteous boy did bear. IV And he wore a lustrous chaplet, And his eyes were full of thought, As he stepp'd into the circle With the radiance that he brought. And he bade me taste the goblet; And I thought -- 'It cannot be, That this boy should be the bearer Of the Demon's gifts to me!' V 'Taste the draught of pure existence Sparkling in this golden urn, And no more with baleful magic Shalt thou hitherward return. Do not seek for treasures longer; Let thy future spellwords be, Days of labour, nights of resting: So shall peace return to thee!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SEVERUS TO TIBERIUS GREATLY ENNUYE by JOSEPH AUSLANDER EN TOUR; A SONG SEQUENCE: 2. TREASURE by ALBERTA BANCROFT CAPTAIN BING by LYMAN FRANK BAUM SEA LAVENDER by LOUISE MOREY BOWMAN THE MONEY DIGGERS by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD THE KEEPERS OF THE TREASURE by RHYS CARPENTER AUCTION SALE - HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS by ADELE DE LEEUX A SONG FROM THE COPTIC by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE FAUST: SCENE 1. PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE |
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