The Fool's Epilogue
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749 (Frankfurt) – 1832 (Weimar)
MANY good works I've done and ended,
Ye take the praise--I'm not offended;
For in the world, I've always thought
Each thing its true position hath sought.
When praised for foolish deeds am I,
I set off laughing heartily;
When blamed for doing something good,
I take it in an easy mood.
If some one stronger gives me hard blows,
That it's a jest, I feign to suppose:
But if 'tis one that's but my own like,
I know the way such folks to strike.
When Fortune smiles, I merry grow,
And sing in dulci jubilo;
When sinks her wheel, and tumbles me o'er,
I think 'tis sure to rise once more.
In the sunshine of summer I ne'er lament,
Because the winter it cannot prevent;
And when the white snow-flakes fall around,
I don my skates, and am off with a bound.
Though I dissemble as I will,
The sun for me will ne'er stand still;
The old and wonted course is run,
Until the whole of life is done;
Each day the servant like the lord,
In turns comes home, and goes abroad;
If proud or humble the line they take,
They all must eat, drink, sleep, and wake.
So nothing ever vexes me;
Act like the fool, and wise ye'll be!
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 1:07 min read
- 111 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | AABBXCXXDDEEXCXX FFGGHHIIXXJJCC |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic tetrameter |
Characters | 1,084 |
Words | 216 |
Stanzas | 2 |
Stanza Lengths | 16, 14 |
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"The Fool's Epilogue" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/21820/the-fool's-epilogue>.
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