To The Grasshopper

Read 'To The Grasshopper' by 'Johann Wolfgang von Goethe' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

To The Grasshopper by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

 AFTER ANACREON.

[The strong resemblance of this fine poem to 
Cowley's Ode bearing the same name, and beginning "Happy insect! 
what can be," will be at once seen.]

HAPPY art thou, darling insect,
Who, upon the trees' tall branches,
By a modest draught inspired,
Singing, like a monarch livest!
Thou possessest as thy portion
All that on the plains thou seest,
All that by the hours is brought thee
'Mongst the husbandmen thou livest,
As a friend, uninjured by them,
Thou whom mortals love to honour,
Herald sweet of sweet Spring's advent!
Yes, thou'rt loved by all the Muses,

Phoebus' self, too, needs must love thee;
They their silver voices gave thee,
Age can never steal upon thee.
Wise and gentle friend of poets,
Born a creature fleshless, bloodless,
Though Earth's daughter, free from suff'ring,
To the gods e'en almost equal.

 1781.

Form: Ode

♡Like0

Share Comments