Ganymed (Goethe)

"Ganymed" is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, in which the character of the mythic youth Ganymede is seduced by God (or Zeus) through the beauty of Spring.

In early editions of the Collected Works it appeared in Volume II of Goethe's poems in a section of Vermischte Gedichte (assorted poems), shortly following the "Gesang der Geister über den Wassern", and the Harzreise im Winter.

It immediately follows "Prometheus", and the two poems together should be understood as a pair, one expressing the sentiment of divine love, the other misotheism.

As the humanist poet, Goethe presents both identities as aspects or forms of the human condition.

Mit tausendfacher Liebeswonne Sich an mein Herz drängt Deiner ewigen Wärme Heilig Gefühl, Unendliche Schöne!

Du kühlst den brennenden Durst meines Busens, Lieblicher Morgenwind!

Ruft drein die Nachtigall Liebend nach mir aus dem Nebeltal.

With thousandfold love-bliss The holy feeling Of your eternal warmth Presses itself upon my heart, Unending beauty!