German composition

Section 110 Goethe’s⁠ Death. I.1

The⁠2 following morning—it was the 22nd March 1832—he tried to⁠3 walk a little up and down the room, but⁠4 after a turn, he found⁠5 himself too feeble to continue. Reseating⁠6 himself in the easy chair, he chatted cheerfully with Ottilie [(S. 53, N. 9) his daughter-in-law] on⁠7 the approaching spring, which would⁠8 be sure to restore him. He⁠9 had no idea of his end being so near. The name of Ottilie was frequently on his lips. She sat beside him, holding⁠10 his hand in both of hers. It was now observed that his thoughts began to wander⁠11 incoherently. “See,” he exclaimed, “the lovely woman’s head, with black curls, in splendid colours—a⁠12 dark background!” Presently⁠13 he saw a piece of paper on the floor, and asked them how⁠14 they could leave Schiller’s letters so carelessly lying about. Then⁠15 he slept softly, and, on⁠16 awakening, asked⁠17 for the sketches⁠18 (S. 16, N. 10) he had just seen—the⁠19 sketches of his dream.

Notes

1 Johann Wolfgang von Göthe, geboren den 22. August 1749 zu Frankfurt a/M., gestorben den 22. März 1832 zu Weimar, kann wohl mit Recht der universalste Genius seiner Zeit genannt werden, deren Litteratur er unbestritten beherrschte. Er war Dichter, Biograph, Naturforscher, Altertumsforscher, Kritiker, Ästhetiker und Staatsmann. In fast allen poetischen Gattungen zeigte er sich als vollendeter Künstler, am bedeutendsten aber war er als Lyriker. Er hinterließ einen einzigen Sohn, dessen Frau (Ottilie) unten erwähnt wird.

2 Am nächsten Morgen.

3 im Zimmer auf-und ab´gehen.

4 but — turn = but already after a few steps.

5 sich fühlen; ‘to continue’ may be briefly rendered by dazu.

6 After he had seated himself again, etc.

7 über.

8 would be sure = would surely (see App. §§ 28 and 30).

9 He — near = He had no idea of it (davon), that his end was so near.

10 und hielt seine Hand mit beiden Händen umschlossen.

11 umher´irren.

12 a = upon a.

13 Then.

14 warum man Schillers Briefe so sorglos herumliegen lasse.

15 Hereupon.

16 beim Erwachen.

17 forderte er.

18 Bilder.

19 the — dream, seine Traumbilder.