Goethe's Works, Volume 11G. Bell & sons, 1882 |
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Popular passages
Page 97 - In the midst of these circumstances, I was soon able to remark that something unusual was taking place within me. I paid close attention to it, and still the sensation can be described only by similitude. It appeared as if you were in some extremely hot place, and, at the same time, quite penetrated by the heat of it, so that you feel yourself, as it were, quite one with the element in which you are. The eyes lose nothing of their strength or clearness ; but it is as if the world had a kind of brown-red...
Page 97 - I had now arrived quite in the region where the balls were playing across me : the sound of them is curious enough, as if it were composed of the humming of tops, the gurgling of water, and the whistling of birds. They were less dangerous by reason of the wetness of the ground ; wherever one fell it stuck fast. And thus my foolish experimental ride was secured against the danger at least of the balls rebounding. In...
Page 183 - This time I said : From this place and from this day forth commences a new era in the world's history, and you can all say that you were present at its birth.
Page 137 - Frankfort graduates. My mother had been commissioned to ask me whether I would accept the office of councillor if I were chosen one of those to be balloted for, and the golden ball should fall to me. Such a question could not, perhaps, have arrived at a more singular time than the present ; I was taken by surprise, and thrown back upon myself; a thousand images started up before me, and prevented me from forming any connected conclusion.
Page 137 - Here, in this intimate family circle, in this unchanged old well-known place, these boyhood recollections were vividly called forth, and brought with new emphasis .before me. They were united also with other youthful feelings which I must not conceal What citizen of a free city will deny that he has been ambitious of, sooner or later, rising to the dignity of councillor, alderman, or burgomaster ; and has industriously and carefully striven, to the best of his ability, to attain to them, or perhaps...
Page 155 - ... entered the world of reality, manifests itself in complete unity with its characteristics. The reader was an exact counterpart of what he read; and as the letter had not attracted me at first, it did not attract me now in his presence. One could not, indeed, deny the young man one's respect, one's sympathy; in fact, it was this which had induced me to make this curious journey; for an earnest will was visible in him, a noble tendency and aim; but although the tenderest feelings were in question,...
Page 16 - The passage through this defile raised in me a grand but calm emotion. The sublime produces a beautiful calmness in the soul, which, entirely possessed by it, feels as great as it ever can feel. How glorious is such a pure feeling when it rises to the very highest, without overflowing ! My eye and my soul were both able to take in the objects before me ; and as I was preoccupied by nothing, and had no false tastes to counteract their impression, they had on me their full and natural effect. When...
Page 78 - XVI. were handed over quite civilly to their proprietors, and their woolly favourites were slaughtered at their feet by the impatient and hungry soldiers, I confess that my eyes and my soul have seldom witnessed a more cruel spectacle, and more profound manly suffering in all its gradations. The Greek tragedies alone have anything so purely, deeply pathetic.
Page 97 - ... objects, more impressive. I was unable to perceive any agitation of the blood, but everything seemed rather to be swallowed up in the glow of which I speak From this, then, it is clear in what sense this condition can be called a fever. It is remarkable, however, that the horrible uneasy feeling arising from it is produced in us solely through the ears. For the cannon thunder, the howling, whistling, crashing of the balls through the air, is the real cause of these sensations.
Page 155 - ... especially, as a landscape painter, I said, did this appear evident, as my particular department of Art was in direct communication with Nature : however, since that time, I had observed with more assiduity and eagerness than previously, not only noted any remarkable natural landscapes and appearances, but felt myself more full of love for all things and all men.