The Exchange

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



THE stones in the streamlet I make my bright pillow,
And open my arms to the swift-rolling billow,

That lovingly hastens to fall on my breast.
Then fickleness soon bids it onwards be flowing;
A second draws nigh, its caresses bestowing,--

And so by a twofold enjoyment I'm blest.

And yet thou art trailing in sorrow and sadness
The moments that life, as it flies, gave for gladness,

Because by thy love thou'rt remember'd no more!
Oh, call back to mind former days and their blisses!
The lips of the second will give as sweet kisses

As any the lips of the first gave before!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

33 sec read
84

Quick analysis:

Scheme AA BCC B DD EDX E
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 571
Words 108
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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

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    "The Exchange" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/21815/the-exchange>.

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