Delphi Collected Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe \(Illustrated\) pdfdrive com

NOVEMBER 22

I cannot pray, “Leave her to me!” and yet she often seems to belong to me. I

cannot  pray,  “Give  her  to  me!”  for  she  is  another’s.  In  this  way  I  affect  mirth

over  my  troubles;  and,  if  I  had  time,  I  could  compose  a  whole  litany  of

antitheses.

NOVEMBER 24.

She is sensible of my sufferings. This morning her look pierced my very soul.

I  found  her  alone,  and  she  was  silent:  she  steadfastly  surveyed  me.  I  no  longer

saw in her face the charms of beauty or the fire of genius: these had disappeared.

But I was affected by an expression much more touching, a look of the deepest

sympathy and of the softest pity. Why was I afraid to throw myself at her feet?

Why did I not dare to take her in my arms, and answer her by a thousand kisses?

She  had  recourse  to  her  piano  for  relief,  and  in  a  low  and  sweet  voice

accompanied the music with delicious sounds. Her lips never appeared so lovely:

they  seemed  but  just  to  open,  that  they  might  imbibe  the  sweet  tones  which

issued  from  the  instrument,  and  return  the  heavenly  vibration  from  her  lovely

mouth. Oh! who can express my sensations? I was quite overcome, and, bending

down, pronounced this vow: “Beautiful lips, which the angels guard, never will I

seek to profane your purity with a kiss.” And yet, my friend, oh, I wish — but

my heart is darkened by doubt and indecision — could I but taste felicity, and

then die to expiate the sin! What sin?

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