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The Works of J.w. Von Goethe (3); Faust. Clavigo. Egmont. the Wayward Lover
The Works of Jw Von Goethe Faust Clavigo Egmont the Wayward Lover - 3 Author:Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Volume: 3 General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1902 Original Publisher: Wyman-Fogg Co. Subjects: Literary Criticism / European / German Poetry / Continental European Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the Ge... more »neral Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: STUDENT. But surely, sir, a meaning should In words be always understood ? MEPHISTOPHELES. No doubt, no doubt! Yet 'twere absurd Upon that point to feel too much concern; Since just where meaning fails, a word Comes patly in to serve your turn. Words, my young friend, -- why, nothing suits So well as matter for disputes; With words your systems you can weave in, Words are such fine things to believe in, And from a word no jot or tittle Can be abstracted, much or little. STUDENT. I fear my numerous questions tease you; Yet once more I must trouble you. On Medicine I would fain, so please you, Receive a pregnant word or two. Three years, they slip away so fast, And, heavens! the field is quite too vast . Still with a hint a man may hope His way with more success to grope. Mephistopheles (aside). This prosing bores me. I must play The devil now in my own way. (Aloud) Well, any simpleton may seize The soul of Medicine with ease -- You simply study through and through The world of man and nature too, To end with leaving things to God, To make or mar them. 'Tis in vain That you go mooning all abroad, Picking up science grain by grain: Each man learns only what he can. But he that has the gift and power To profit by the passing hour, He is your proper man ! You're not ill built, -- will, I conceive, Show mettle on occasion due; -- If you but in yourself believe, Others will then believe in you. Especially be sure to f...« less