On the New Year
[Composed for a merry party that used to meet,in,at Goethe’s house.]
FATE now allows us,
’Twixt[1]the departing
And the upstarting,
Happy to be;
And at the call of
Memory cherish’d,
Future and perish’d
Moments[2]we see.
Seasons of anguish,—
Ah,they must ever
Truth from woe sever,
Love and joy part;
Days still more worthy
Soon will unite us,
Fairer songs light us,
Strength’ning the heart.
We,thus united,
Think of,with gladness,
Rapture and sadness,
Sorrow now flies.
Oh,how mysterious
Fortune’s direction!
Old the connection,
New-born the prize!
Thank,for this,Fortune,
Wavering blindly!
Thank all that kindly
Fate may bestow!
Revel in change’s
Impulses clearer,
Love far sincerer,
More heartfelt[3]glow！
Over the old one,
Wrinkles collected,
Sad and dejected,
Others may view;
But,on us gently
Shineth a true one,
And to the new one
We,too,are new.
As a fond couple
’Midst the dance veering,
First disappearing,
Then reappear,
So let affection
Guide thro’life’s mazy
Pathways so hazy
Into the year!
1802.