The Works of J. W. von Goethe/Volume 9/By the River ("Flow on, ye lays so loved, so fair")
For works with similar titles, see By the River.
BY THE RIVER.
Flow on, ye lays so loved, so fair,
On to Oblivion's ocean flow!
May no rapt boy recall you e'er.
No maiden in her beauty's glow!
My love alone was then your theme,
But now she scorns my passion true,
Ye were but written in the stream;
As it flows on, then flow ye too!