Biographical Note.—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, August 28th, 1749; he attended the University of Leipzig 1765-1768, and went to Strassburg in 1770, where he met Herder, made the acquaintance of Shakespeare, and in 1771 took his degree. 'Götz von Berlichingen' in 1773 announced the dawn of a new era in German letters, and in 1774 'The Sorrows of Werther' made the poet world-famous. In 1775 Goethe accepted the invitation of Duke Carl August and went to Weimar, which remained thenceforth his home. The Italian journey, marking an epoch in the poet's life, took place in 1786-1787. The 'Faust Fragment' appeared in 1790. The friendship with Schiller, also of far-reaching importance in Goethe's life, began in 1794 and was terminated only by Schiller's death in 1805. 'Hermann and Dorothea' was published in 1797. In 1806 Goethe married Christiane Vulpius. The First Part of 'Faust' appeared in 1808;—in 1816 the poet is at work upon his 'Autobiography' and the 'Italian Journey'; the first part of 'Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship' appeared in 1821, and was completed in 1829. 'Faust' was finished on July 20th, 1831. Goethe died at Weimar on March 22d, 1832. FROM 'FAUST' Chorus of the Archangels; from the Prologue in Heaven Shelley's Translation Raphael— The sun makes music as of old Amid the rival spheres of heaven, On its predestined circle rolled With thunder speed; the angels even Draw strength from gazing on its glance, Though none its meaning fathom may The world's unwithered countenance Is bright as at creation's day. Gabriel— And swift and swift with rapid lightness The adorned earth spins silently, Alternating Elysian brightness With deep and dreadful night; the sea Foams in broad billows from the deep Up to the rocks, and rocks and ocean, Onward, with spheres which never sleep, Are hurried in eternal motion. Michael— And tempests in contention roar From land to sea, from sea to land; And raging, weave a chain of power, Which girds the earth as with a band. [Pg 6397]A flashing desolation there Flames before the thunder's way; But thy servants, Lord, revere The gentle changes of thy day. CHORUS OF THE THREE The angels draw strength from thy glance, Though no one comprehend thee may; Thy world's unwithered countenance Is bright as on creation's day. SCENES FROM 'FAUST' Translated by Bayard Taylor All the following selections from 'Faust' are from Taylor's translation. Copyright 1870, by Bayard Taylor, and reprinted here by permission of and special agreement with Mrs. Taylor, and Houghton, Mifflin & Co., publishers, Boston. Faust and Wagner FAUST Oh, happy he, who still renews The hope from Error's deeps to rise forever! That which one does not know, one needs to use, And what one knows, one uses never. But let us not, by such despondence, so The fortune of this hour embitter! Mark how, beneath the evening sunlight's glow,