MEASURE OF TIME.

Portrait of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749–1832
5The Poems

EROS, what mean'st thou by this? In each of thine hands is an hourglass!

What, oh thou frivolous god! twofold thy measure of time? "Slowly run from the one, the hours of lovers when parted;

While through the other they rush swiftly, as soon as they meet."

                                1789.*

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