Mignon’s Song

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)

From the German by Thomas Carlyle

From “Wilhelm Meister”

“KNOW’ST thou the land where citron-apples bloom,

And oranges like gold in leafy gloom,

A gentle wind from deep-blue heaven blows,

The myrtle thick, and high the laurel grows?

Know’st thou it then?
’T is there! ’T is there,

O my true loved one, thou with me must go!

“Know’st thou the house, its porch with pillars tall?

The rooms do glitter, glitters bright the hall,

And marble statues stand, and look each one:

What ’s this, poor child, to thee they ’ve done?

Know’st thou it then?
’T is there! ’T is there,

O my protector, thou with me must go!

“Know’st thou the hill, the bridge that hangs on cloud?

The mules in mist grope o’er the torrent loud,

In caves lie coiled the dragon’s ancient brood,

The crag leaps down, and over it the flood:

Know’st thou it then?
’T is there! ’T is there

Our way runs: O my father, wilt thou go?”