Thorns the cruel theft oppose,
Brief the struggle and vain the woes,
She must needs surrender.
Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red,
Heathrose fair and tender!


MAHOMET'S SONG[6] (1773)

[This song was intended to be introduced in a dramatic poem entitled
_Mahomet_, the plan of which was not carried out by Goethe. He
mentions that it was to have been sung by Ali toward the end of the
piece, in honor of his master, Mahomet, shortly before his death, and
when at the height of his glory, of which it is typical.]

See the rock-born stream!
Like the gleam
Of a star so bright!
Kindly spirits
High above the clouds
Nourished him while youthful
In the copse between the cliffs.

Young and fresh,
From the clouds he danceth
Down upon the marble rocks;
Then tow'rd heaven
Leaps exulting.

Through the mountain-passes