Versos English Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Mephistopheles

English poem

Mephistopheles

by (1749–1832)

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I stood beside his bed of dying. ’Twas something better than manure,— Half-rotten straw: and yet, he died a Christian, sure, And found that heavier scores to his account were lying. He cried: “I find my conduct wholly hateful! To leave my wife, my trade, in manner so ungrateful! Ah, the remembrance makes me die! Would of my wrong to her I might be shriven!”

MARTHA (weeping)

The dear, good man! Long since was he forgiven.