Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 9.djvu/385

Nearer was heard the cry "Alexis!" The stripling who sought me
⁠Suddenly peeped through the door. How he the basket snatched up!
How he urged me away! how pressed I thy hand! Dost thou ask me
⁠How the vessel I reached? Drunken I seemed, well I know.
Drunken my shipmates believed me, and so had pity upon me;
⁠And as the breeze drove us on, distance the town soon obscured.
"Thine for ever!" thou, Dora, didst murmur; it fell on my senses
⁠With the thunder of Zeus! while by the thunderer's throne
Stood his daughter, the Goddess of Love; the Graces were standing
⁠Close by her side! so the bond beareth an impress divine!
Oh, then hasten, thou ship, with every favouring zephyr!
⁠Onward, thou powerful keel, cleaving the waves as they foam!
Bring me unto the foreign harbour, so that the goldsmith
⁠May in his workshop prepare straightway the heavenly pledge!
Ay, of a truth, the chain shall indeed be a chain, O my Dora!
⁠Nine times encircling thy neck, loosely around it entwined.
Other and manifold trinkets I'll buy thee; goldmounted bracelets,

⁠Richly and skilfully wrought, also shall grace thy fair hand.