JOY.

Portrait of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749–1832
1The Poems

----- Joy from that in type we borrow, Which in life gives only sorrow.

JOY.

A DRAGON-FLY with beauteous wing Is hov'ring o'er a silv'ry spring; I watch its motions with delight,-- Now dark its colours seem, now bright; Chameleon-like appear, now blue, Now red, and now of greenish hue. Would it would come still nearer me, That I its tints might better see

It hovers, flutters, resting ne'er!

But hush! it settles on the mead. I have it safe now, I declare!

And when its form I closely view,

'Tis of a sad and dingy blue-- Such, Joy-Dissector, is thy case indeed

1767-9.

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