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
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