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von Goethe,
Johann Wolfgang
A German polymath: he was a poet, novelist, dramatist, humanist, scientist, theorist and painter.. German writer artist and politician
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EXPLANATION OF AN ANTIQUE GEM,
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Written by:
Johann Wolfgang
von Goethe
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A YOUNG fig-tree its form lifts high
Within a beauteous garden;
And see, a goat is sitting by.
As if he were its warden.
But oh, Quirites, how one errs!
The tree is guarded badly;
For round the other side there whirrs
And hums a beetle madly.
The hero with his well-mail'd coat
Nibbles the branches tall so;
A mighty longing feels the goat
Gently to climb up also.
And so, my friends, ere long ye see
The tree all leafless standing;
It looks a type of misery,
Help of the gods demanding.
Then listen, ye ingenuous youth,
Who hold wise saws respected:
From he-goat and from beetles-tooth
A tree should be protected!
1815.
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