As his countrymen have frequently pointed out, these firstfruits of Goethe's genius mark a new departure in lyrical poetry.

In them we have the direct simplicity of the best lyrics of the past, but combined with this simplicity a depth of introspection and a fusion of nature with human feeling which is a new content in the imaginative presentation of human experience.

In connection with Goethe's Leipzig period we gave a specimen of the best work he was then capable of producing; when we place beside it such a poem as the following, we are reminded of the saying of Emerson that "the soul's advances are not made by gradation ...

but rather by ascension of state." WILKOMMEN UND ABSCHIED.
Es schlug mein Herz; geschwind zu Pferde, Und fort, wild, wie ein Held zur Schlacht! Der Abend wiegte schon die Erde, Und an den Bergen hing die Nacht; Schon stund im Nebelkleid die Eiche, Wie ein getuermter Riese da, Wo Finsternis aus dem Gestraeuche Mit hundert schwarzen Augen sah.
Der Mond von einem Wolkenhuegel Sah klaeglich aus dem Duft hervor; Die Winde schwangen leise Fluegel, Umsausten schauerlich mein Ohr; Die Nacht schuf tausend Ungeheuer; Doch frisch und froehlich war mein Mut; In meinen Adern welches Feuer! In meinem Herzen welche Glut! Dich sah ich, und die milde Freude Floss aus dem suessen Blick auf mich, Ganz war mein Herz an deiner Seite, Und jeder Athemzug fuer dich.
Ein rosenfarbnes Fruehlingswetter Umgab das liebliche Gesicht, Und Zaertlichkeit fuer mich, ihr Goetter! Ich hofft' es, ich verdient' es nicht.
Doch ach, schon mit der Morgensonne Verengt der Abschied mir das Herz: In deinen Kuessen, welche Wonne, In deinem Auge, welcher Schmerz! Ich ging, du standst und sahst zur Erden, Und sahst mir nach mit nassem Blick; Und doch, welch Glueck geliebt zu werden! Und lieben, Goetter, welch ein Glueck! WELCOME AND PARTING.
Throbbed high my breast! To horse, to horse! Raptured as hero for the fight; Soft lay the earth in eve's embrace, And on the mountain brooded night.
The oak, a dim-discovered shape, Did, like a towering giant, rise-- There whence from forth the thicket glared Black darkness with its myriad eyes.
From out a pile of cloud the moon Peered sadly through the misty veil; Softly the breezes waved their wings; Sighed in my ears with plaintive wail.
Night shaped a thousand monstrous forms; Yet fresh and frolicsome my breast; And what a fire burned in my veins, And what a glow my heart possessed! I saw thee: in thine eye's soft gaze A tender, calm delight I knew; All motions of my heart were thine.
And thine was every breath I drew.
The freshest, richest hues of Spring Enhaloed thy lovely face,-- And tenderest thoughts for me!--my hope! But, undeserved, ye Powers of Grace! But, ah! too soon, with morning's dawn, The hour of parting cramps my heart; Then, in thy kisses, O what bliss! And in thine eye, what poignant smart! I went; thou stood'st and downward gazed, Gazed after me with tearful eyes; Yet, to be loved, what blessedness, And, oh! to love, ye Gods, what bliss!.