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The Faust of Goethe, in Engl. verse by W.H. Colquhoun
The Faust of Goethe in Engl verse by WH Colquhoun Author:Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN. THE LORD—HEAVENLY HOSTS—AFTERWARDS MEPHISTOPHELES. Raphael. The sun his ancient music pealeth, Kin spheres in rival song, amid... more », And his commanded course fulfilleth, With swiftness of the thunder tread. His glance on angels, strength, bestoweth, Though search him out, no angel may ; The lofty works, whose ways none knoweth, Are grand, as on the primal day. Gabriel. And fleet with fleetness measureless, The stately earth revolves around Altern, the shine of Paradise, And the deep awe of night profound. Up foameth, in broad flood-tide motion, The ocean at the rock's deep base, And hurried on are rock and ocean, In everlasting, swift sphere race. Michael. And storms in rival roar are striving From shore to sea—from sea to shore, And in their wrath a woof are weaving All, all, around, of deepest power. Before the thunder-peal's career, Destruction, flashing, flames away; But, Lord, thy messengers revere The placid progress of thy day. The Three. Strength to the angels thy glance giveth, Though search Thee out, no angel may : Thine every lofty work yet liveth August, as on the primal day. Mephistopheles. Whilst Thou, O Lord, approachest once again, And how it fareth with us dost demand, As heretofore, in general Thou wert fain To see me—see me mid thy servants stand : Forgive me !—I can't speak in lofty style, Though the whole circle even should deride— My pathos, know I well, would make thee smile, Hadst thou not wont of smiling laid aside. I nothing know to say of worlds and sun— I only see how man is drudging on: The world's small god is of same stamp alway, And is as odd as was he the first day. A little better live, indeed he might; But for thy gift—Reflex of Heavenly l...« less