Analysis of The Goldsmith's Apprentice

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749 (Frankfurt) – 1832 (Weimar)



My neighbour, none can e'er deny,

Is a most beauteous maid;
Her shop is ever in mine eye,

When working at my trade.

To ring and chain I hammer then

The wire of gold assay'd,
And think the while: "For Kate, oh when

Will such a ring be made?"

And when she takes her shutters down,

Her shop at once invade,
To buy and haggle, all the town,

For all that's there displayd.

I file, and maybe overfile

The wire of gold assay'd;
My master grumbles all the while,--

Her shop the mischief made.

To ply her wheel she straight begins,

When not engaged in trade;
I know full well for what she spins,--

'Tis hope guides that dear maid.

Her leg, while her small foot treads on,

Is in my mind portray'd;
Her garter I recall anon,--

I gave it that dear maid.

Then to her lips the finest thread

Is by her hand convey'd.
Were I there only in its stead,

How I would kiss the maid!


Scheme a ba b c Bc b d bd b e Be b f bf b x ba b g bg b
Poetic Form
Metre 11111001 10111 01110011 110111 11011101 010111 01011111 110111 01110101 011101 11010101 11111 110101 010111 11010101 010101 11011101 110101 11111111 111111 01101111 101101 010111 111111 11010101 110101 01110011 111101
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 841
Words 175
Sentences 9
Stanzas 21
Stanza Lengths 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1
Lines Amount 28
Letters per line (avg) 23
Words per line (avg) 6
Letters per stanza (avg) 31
Words per stanza (avg) 8
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

54 sec read
56

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer and politician. more…

All Johann Wolfgang von Goethe poems | Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Books

4 fans

Discuss this Johann Wolfgang von Goethe poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Goldsmith's Apprentice" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/21832/the-goldsmith%27s-apprentice>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    23
    hours
    16
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    "Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe."
    A Shel Silverstein
    B Dr. Seuss
    C Lord Byron
    D Lewis Carroll