The Works of J. W. von Goethe/Volume 9/Leopold, Duke of Brunswick
LEOPOLD, DUKE OF BRUNSWICK.
ANTIQUES.
[Written on the occasion of the death, by drowning, of that prince.]
Thou wert forcibly seized by the hoary lord of the river,—
Holding thee, ever he shares with thee his streaming domain.
Calmly sleepest thou near his urn as it silently trickles,
Till thou to action art roused, waked by the swiftrolling flood.
Kindly be to the people, as when thou still wert a mortal.
Perfecting that as a god, which thou didst fail in, as man.