Excuse.

Thou dost complain of woman for changing from one to another?

Censure her not: for she seeks one who will constant remain.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, poet, playwright, and natural philosopher, born on August 28, 1749, and died on March 22, 1832. He is considered one of the most important literary figures of the modern era. Goethe's best-known work, 'Faust,' is a profound exploration of human ambition, desire, and redemption. His contributions extend beyond literature into various fields, including science and politics. His writings and thoughts have had a lasting influence on Western culture.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The New Amadis.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simple Poetry

The God And The Bayadere. An Indian Legend.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simple Poetry

Faithful Eckart,

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simple Poetry

The Metamorphosis Of Plants.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Let Not Woman E'er Complain.

Tune - "Duncan Gray."


I.

    Let not woman e'er complain
        Of inconstancy in love;
    Let not woman e'er complain
        Fickle man is apt to rove:
    Look abroad through nature's range,
    Nature's mighty law is change;
    Ladies, would it not be strange,
        Man should then a monster prove?

II.

    Mark the winds, and mark the skies;
        Ocean's ebb, and ocean's flow:
    Sun find moon but set to rise,
        Round and round the seasons go:
    Why then ask of silly man
    To oppose great nature's plan?
    We'll be constant while we can -
        You can be no more, you know.

Robert Burns

The Way To Behave.

Though tempers are bad and peevish folks swear,
Remember to ruffle thy brows, friend, ne'er;
And let not the fancies of women so fair
E'er serve thy pleasure in life to impair.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

From 'The Sorrows Of Young Werther.'

Ev'ry youth for love's sweet portion sighs,

Ev'ry maiden sighs to win man's love;
Why, alas! should bitter pain arise

From the noblest passion that we prove?

Thou, kind soul, bewailest, lov'st him well,

From disgrace his memory's saved by thee;
Lo, his spirit signs from out its cell:

BE A MAN, NOR SEEK TO FOLLOW ME.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Constancy In Change.

Could this early bliss but rest

Constant for one single hour!
But e'en now the humid West

Scatters many a vernal shower.
Should the verdure give me joy?

'Tis to it I owe the shade;
Soon will storms its bloom destroy,

Soon will Autumn bid it fade.

Eagerly thy portion seize,

If thou wouldst possess the fruit!
Fast begin to ripen these,

And the rest already shoot.
With each heavy storm of rain

Change comes o'er thy valley fair;
Once, alas! but not again

Can the same stream hold thee e'er.

And thyself, what erst at least

Firm as rocks appear'd to rise,
Walls and palaces thou seest

But with ever-changing eyes.
Fled for ever now the lip

That with kisses used to glo...

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Reciprocal.

My mistress, where sits she?

What is it that charms?
The absent she's rocking,

Held fast in her arms.

In pretty cage prison'd

She holds a bird still;
Yet lets him fly from her,

Whenever he will.

He pecks at her finger,

And pecks at her lips,
And hovers and flutters,

And round her he skips.

Then hasten thou homeward,

In fashion to be;
If thou hast the maiden,

She also hath thee.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Proximity.

I Know not, wherefore, dearest love,

Thou often art so strange and coy
When 'mongst man's busy haunts we move,

Thy coldness puts to flight my joy.
But soon as night and silence round us reign,
I know thee by thy kisses sweet again!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe