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| Die Zukunst decket, by Johann Goethe, was translated into English by Thomas Carlyle in 1843. |
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| The future hides in it |
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Gladness and sorrow;
We press still thorow,- |
| Naught that abides in it |
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Daunting us-onward. |
| And solemn before us, |
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Veiled the dark portal;
Goal of all mortal:- |
| Stars silent rest o’er us, |
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Graves under us silent! |
| While earnest thou gazest, |
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Comes body of terror,
Comes phantasm of error; |
| Perplexes the bravest |
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With doubt and misgiving. |
| But heard are the voices, |
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Heard are the sages,
The worlds, and the ages: |
| “Choose well; your choice is |
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Brief, and yet endless. |
| “Here eyes do regard you |
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In eternity’s stillness,
Here is all fulness, |
| Ye brave, to reward you; |
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Work, and despair not.” |
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