1815.*
-----
The best.

When head and heart are busy, say,

What better can be found? 
Who neither loves nor goes astray,

Were better under ground.

1815.*
-----
As broad as it’s long.

Modest men must needs endure,

And the bold must humbly bow;
Thus thy fate’s the same, be sure,

Whether bold or modest thou.

1815.*
-----
The rule of life.

If thou wouldst live unruffled by care,
Let not the past torment thee e’er;
As little as possible be thou annoy’d,
And let the present be ever enjoy’d;
Ne’er let thy breast with hate be supplied,
And to God the future confide.

1815.*
-----
The same, expanded.

If thou wouldst live unruffled by care,
Let not the past torment thee e’er;
If any loss thou hast to rue,
Act as though thou wert born anew;
Inquire the meaning of each day,
What each day means itself will say;
In thine own actions take thy pleasure,
What others do, thou’lt duly treasure;
Ne’er let thy breast with hate be supplied,
And to God the future confide.

-----

If wealth is gone—­then something is gone!

Quick, make up thy mind,

And fresh wealth find. 
If honour is gone—­then much is gone!

Seek glory to find,

And people then will alter their mind. 
If courage is gone—­then all is gone! 
’Twere better that thou hadst never been born.

-----

He who with life makes sport,

Can prosper never;
Who rules himself in nought,

Is a slave ever.

May each honest effort be

Crown’d with lasting constancy.

-----

Each road to the proper end
Runs straight on, without a bend.

1825.
-----
Calm at sea.

Silence deep rules o’er the waters,

Calmly slumb’ring lies the main,
While the sailor views with trouble

Nought but one vast level plain.

Not a zephyr is in motion!

Silence fearful as the grave! 
In the mighty waste of ocean

Sunk to rest is ev’ry wave.

1795.
-----
The prosperous voyage.

The mist is fast clearing. 
And radiant is heaven,
Whilst AEolus loosens
Our anguish-fraught bond. 
The zephyrs are sighing,
Alert is the sailor. 
Quick! nimbly be plying! 
The billows are riven,
The distance approaches;
I see land beyond!

1795.
-----
Courage.

Carelessly over the plain away,
Where by the boldest man no path
Cut before thee thou canst discern,
Make for thyself a path!

Silence, loved one, my heart! 
Cracking, let it not break! 
Breaking, break not with thee!