Nirgends kann ich sie vergessen, Macht die Liebe zur Verehrung, hon Aufgezogen durch die Sonne, Schwimmt im Hauch äther'scher Wonne 6. An die Unschuld Schönste Tugend einer Seele, Wenn ein andres Feuer brennet, Göttin! In dem Paradiese 15 20 5 ΙΟ 15 7. Die Freuden Da flattert um die Quelle Bald dunkel und bald helle, Wie ein Cameleon; Bald roth und blau, bald blau und grün. O daß ich in der Nähe Doch seine Farben sähe! Da fliegt der Kleine vor mir hin Und seht sich auf die stillen Weiden. Da hab ich ihn! Und nun betracht ich ihn genau, Und seh ein traurig dunkles blau. So geht es dir Zergliedrer deiner Freuden! ΙΟ II. Sesenheim BROKEN in health and spirit, Goethe in 1768 returned to Frankfurt. When he had sufficiently recovered, his father sent him to the University of Strassburg, which he entered in the spring of 1770. While under Herder's guidance his mind here underwent the revolution from which he emerged a great poet; it was in the modest parsonage of Sesenheim that he passed through an experience which had an equally great influence upon his inner life. This episode in the poet's life has often been called an idyl, but the songs in their original form bear witness that it may more fittingly be called a tragedy. No greater difference can be imagined than the difference in tone and spirit between the Leipzig poems and the simple heartfelt songs addressed to Friederike. No longer is Goethe an imitator of others. Innocence, which in Leipzig was only a poetic vision to him, he had found here, and in its sacred atmosphere he became a healthy man once more. For the great change which had taken place in him compare Nos. 1-3. Although a formal betrothal did probably not take place, it is evident that Friederike was justified in accepting as such the song Kleine Blumen, kleine Blätter. The second version of this poem shows clearly that the poet afterwards intentionally obliterated the true meaning of the original. Ich war grenzenlos glücklich an ihrer Seite, he says in his autobiography forty years later remembering those happy days. Still there was from the beginning in his relation to Friederike an element of doubt and cool rea 12 soning which hastened its tragic ending. It is a useless undertaking of most commentators and biographers of Goethe to try to spare him where he did not spare himself. He introduces the account of his separation from Friederike in his autobiography by the following significant comparison: Eine solche jugendliche, aufs Geratewol gehegte Neigung ist der nächtlich geworfenen BOMBE zu vergleichen, die in einer sanften glänzenden Linie aufsteigt, sich unter die Sterne mischt, ja einen Augenblick unter ihnen zu verweilen scheint, alsdann aber abwärts, zwar wieder dieselbe Bahn, nur umgekehrt bezeichnet und zuletzt da wo sie ihren Lauf geendet, Verderben hinbringt. An insight into the inner struggles which his separation from Friederike caused the young poet is furnished by the poem Es schlug mein Herz (No. 6). Of this poem, too, we have a later version which changes or omits some of the most essential features of the original. The famous Heidenröslein, in which Goethe remodelled a folksong given to him by Herder, sums up in charming symbolism the sad story of Goethe's love for the unfortunate Friederike. 1. Mayfest Wie herrlich leuchtet Wie glänzt die Sonne! Wie lacht die Flur! Es dringen Blüten Aus iedem Zweig, 5 Und Freud und Wonne Erd, o Sonne Lieb' o Liebe, Du seegnest herrlich O Mädchen, Mädchen, So liebt die Lerche Wie ich dich liebe Mit warmem Blut, Die du mir Jugend Und Freud und Muth ΙΟ 15 20 25 30 Zu neuen Liedern Und Tänzen giebst! Sey ewig glücklich Wie du mich liebst! 35 |