Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Book Of Timur - To Suleika

FITTING perfumes to prepare, And to raise thy rapture high, Must a thousand rosebuds fair First in fiery torments die. One small flask's contents to glean, Whose sweet fragrance aye may live, Slender as thy finger e'en, Must a world its treasures give; Yes, a world where life is moving, Which, with impulse full and strong, Could forbode the Bulbul's loving, Sweet, and spirit-stirring song. Since they thus have swell'd our joy, Should such torments grieve us, then? Doth not Timur's rule destroy Myriad souls of living men?