Food in Travel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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FOOD IN TRAVEL

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


IF to her eyes’ bright lustre I were blind,

No longer would they serve my life to gild.

The will of destiny must be fulfilid,–

This knowing, I withdrew with sadden’d mind.

No further happiness I now could find:

The former longings of my heart were still’d;

I sought her looks alone, whereon to build

My joy in life,–all else was left behind.

Wine’s genial glow, the festal banquet gay,

Ease, sleep, and friends, all wonted pleasures glad

I spurn’d, till little there remain’d to prove.

Now calmly through the world I wend my way:

That which I crave may everywhere be had,

With me I bring the one thing needful — love.