Roman Elegies I
Roman Elegies I - context Summary
Composed in Rome, 1788
Written during Goethe’s Italian stay and later published in 1795, "Roman Elegies I" is part of the Roman Elegies collection that records his Roman experiences and affections. The poem frames the city’s monuments as alive and responsive, turning sightseeing into the anticipation of erotic encounter. It stages Rome as meaningful through love, blending travel observation with personal longing and making the poet’s Roman sojourn the poem’s central subject.
Read Complete AnalysesTell me you stones, O speak, you towering palaces! Streets, say a word! Spirit of this place, are you dumb? All things are alive in your sacred walls Eternal Rome, it’s only for me all is still. Who’ll whisper to me, at what window Will I see the sweet thing who’ll kindle me now, and quicken? Already I guess the ways, walking to her and from her, Ever and always I’ll go, while sweet time slips by. I’m gazing at church and palace, ruin and column, Like a serious man making sensible use of a journey, But soon it will happen, and all will be one vast temple, Love’s temple, receiving its new initiate. Though you’re a whole world, Rome, still, without Love, The world isn’t the world, and Rome can’t be Rome.
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