Autographed poem
Autograph poem signed ("JWvGoethe").
Oblong 8vo (195 x 115 mm). 1 p. Mounted on backing paper.
€ 45,000.00
"Liegt dir Gestern klar und offen / Wirkst du Heute kräftig, treu; / Kannst auch auf ein Morgen hoffen, / Das nicht minder glücklich sey".
This famous quatrain, a masterly paraphrase of a poem by François de Maucroix (1619-1708), was originally published in 1826 in lithographed facsimile of the original manuscript (dated 7 November 1825), appearing under Bendixen's lithograph portrait (after Vogelstein) of the poet. It was also selected by Goethe to round off Group IV of the Zahme Xenien in the final edition of his works. Its quiet praise of the benefits of a life well led no doubt appealed to the poet as he approached the twilight of his own life. Not only did he have lithograph facsimiles made, but he also produced a number of handwritten copies for his friends: those copies invariably read "kräftig treu", not "kräftig frei" (as printed).
In perfect condition. A contemporary note in a different hand at lower left.
Leonard L. Mackall, "Goethe's Quatrain 'Liegt dir Gestern klar und offen': a Paraphrase from Maucroix", The American Journal of Philology 41.4 (1920), pp. 379-383.
