Landon in The Literary Gazette 1835/Pauline’s Price

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2352700Landon in The Literary Gazette 1835 — Pauline’s Price - GoetheLetitia Elizabeth Landon

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Literary Gazette, 10th January, 1835, Page 28


ORIGINAL POETRY.

VERSIONS FROM THE GERMAN.

(Second Series.)

Pauline's Price.—Goethe.

Sweet Pauline, could I buy thee
    With gold or its worth,
I would not deny thee
    The wealth of the earth.
They talk of the pleasure
    That riches bestow—
Without thee, my treasure,
    What joy could I know?

Did I rule Europe over,
    Thy price it should be;
Let them leave, for thy lover,
    A cottage with thee,
Where a pear-tree is stooping
    With fruit at the door,
And the green vine is drooping
    Each dark lattice o'er.

If my life-breath could be, love,
    A ransom for thine,
I'd yield it for thee, love,
    With all that is mine.
Ah! had I the power,
    I'd count as time flown
A year for each hour
    That thou wert mine own.