The Dying Words of Goethe "Light! more light! the shadows deepen, And my life is ebbing low, Throw the windows widely open; Light! more light! before I go. "Softly let the balmy sunshine Play around my dying bed, O'er the dimly lighted valley I with lonely feet must tread. "Light! more light! for Death is weaving Shadows 'round my waning sight, And I fain would gaze upon him Through a stream of earthly light." Not for greater gifts of genius; Not for thoughts more grandly bright. All the dying poet whispers Is a prayer for light, more light. Heeds he not the gathered laurels, Fading slowly from his sight; All the poet's aspirations Centre in that prayer for light. Gracious Saviour, when life's day-dreams Melt and vanish from the sight, May our dim and longing vision Then be blessed with light, more light. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOPE (1) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ODE TO THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY by SIDNEY LANIER VOICES OF THE AIR by KATHERINE MANSFIELD VASHTI by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER THE COUNTRY CLERGYMAN'S TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE; ELECTION BALLAD by THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY LOVE'S JUSTIFICATION by MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI EUROPE; THE 72ND AND 73RD YEARS OF THESE STATES by WALT WHITMAN |