Saturday, July 14, 2012

Masterpieces


Listen, and in memory fix
Pairs of lovers, six and six!
Description kindles, love doth fan the flames—
Rustan and Rodavoo their names.
Lovers unknown, who yet are nigh,—
Jussuf, Zuleika, is our cry.
Love for love’s sake, with nought to win,—
Such love knew Ferhad and Schirin.
Each for the other, whole and sole,—
Medschnun and Leila touched that goal.
Old eyes made young with passion’s ray,—
So Dschemil looked at Boteinah.
Sweet wile and whim on loving set,—
Solomon and the throned brunette.
To these hast thou given earnest heed,
So shall thy love be established.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: West-Eastern Divan, translated by Edward Dowden, p. 33-34.

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