Goethe-Gedichte
Selected German Verse by J.W. Goethe
In the original German with a
line-by-line prose translation in English.
German Version | English Version
The two-part drama FAUST is Goethe's most famous (and most quoted) work.
Faust I - Prologue in the Theater
MANAGER:
Enough words have been exchanged;
Now at last let me see some deeds!
While you turn compliments,
Something useful should transpire.
What use is it to speak of inspiration?
To the hesitant it never appears.
If you would be a poet,
Then take command of poetry.
You know what we require,
We want to down strong brew;
So get on with it!
What does not happen today, will not be done tomorrow,
And you should not let a day slip by,
Let resolution grasp what's possible
and seize it boldly by the hair;
it will not get away
and it labors on, because it must.
- from Faust I, Zeilen 214-230
MORE > Goethe Poetry Contents
MORE > German Myth 12: The Goethe Quote
MYTHS > German Misnomers, Myths and Mistakes
Related Pages
Goethe Gedichte: Inhalt
The contents page for our Goethe poetry.
Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Our main Goethe page.
Authors in German Literature 1
Our main page for German-language authors on the Web.
Authors in German Literature 2
Our author index and link page for German-language authors on the Web.
Book Reviews
Reviews of books and materials for German.
Books: German Literature
German literary works selected by your Guide.
Das Goethe-Institut
All about this indispensible resource for just about anything to do with German and German culture.
Literature
German literature at this site and on the Web.
Quotations/Sayings
German proverbs, saying, and literary quotations on the Web.
German Newsletters
Subscribe to a free newsletter!
German Chat
Chat in German or about German!