Proverbs

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'TIS easier far a wreath to bind,
Than a good owner fort to find.
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I KILL'D a thousand flies overnight,
Yet was waken'd by one, as soon as twas light.
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To the mother I give;
For the daughter I live.
——-
A BREACH is every day,

By many a mortal storm'd;
Let them fall in the gaps as they may,

Yet a heap of dead is ne'er form'd.
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WHAT harm has thy poor mirror done, alas?
Look not so ugly, prythee, in the glass!

1815.* ——- TAME XENIA.

THE Epigrams bearing the title of XENIA were written by Goethe and Schiller together, having been first occasioned by some violent attacks made on them by some insignificant writers. They are extremely numerous, but scarcely any of them could be translated into English. Those here given are merely presented as a specimen.

GOD gave to mortals birth,

In his own image too;
Then came Himself to earth,

A mortal kind and true.

1821.* ——- BARBARIANS oft endeavour

Gods for themselves to make
But they're more hideous ever

Than dragon or than snake.

                                1821.*
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WHAT shall I teach thee, the very first thing?—
Fain would I learn o'er my shadow to spring!

                                1827.*
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"WHAT is science, rightly known?
'Tis the strength of life alone.
Life canst thou engender never,
Life must be life's parent ever.

1827.* ——- It matters not, I ween,

Where worms our friends consume,
Beneath the turf so green,

Or 'neath a marble tomb.
Remember, ye who live,

Though frowns the fleeting day,
That to your friends ye give

What never will decay.

1827.* ——-