Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: 474 books

Le Roman de Renart est un ensemble médiéval de récits animaliers écrits en ancien français et en vers. Ces récits disparates, rédigés par différents auteurs, sont appelés dès le Moyen Âge « branches ». Ils sont composés principalement en octosyllabes à rimes plates. Les branches les...

Defects are perceived only by one who has no love; therefore, to see them, a man must become uncharitable, but not more so than is necessary for the purpose.

You only find true love once. When Werther dances with the beautiful Lotte, it seems as though he is in paradise. It is a joy, however, that can only ever be short-lived. Engaged to another man, she tolerates Werther's adoration and encourages his friendship. She can never return his love. Broken-hearted,...

How do all my descriptions disgust me, when I read them over. Nothing but your advice, your command, your injunction could have induced me to attempt anything of the kind. How many descriptions, too, of these scenes had I not read before I saw them. Did these, then, afford me an image of them,—or at...

Thoughts and quips from Germany's most prolific polymath - 590 in all - plus a bonus section of wonderful reflections on Mother Nature. Also features critiques on writers from Kalidas to Shakespeare. (Goodreads)

In his little hut by the great river, which a heavy rain had swollen to overflowing, lay the ancient Ferryman, asleep, wearied by the toil of the day. In the middle of the night, loud voices awoke him; he heard that it was travellers wishing to be carried over. Stepping out, he saw two large Will-o'-wisps,...

Short excerpt: "Were, then, these Switzers free? Free, these opulent burghers in their little pent-up towns—free, those poor devils on their rocks and crags? What is it that man cannot be made to believe, especially when he cherishes in his heart the memory of some old tale of marvel? Once,...

Venez, illusions !.... au matin de ma vie, Que j’aimais à fixer votre inconstant essor ! Le soir vient, et pourtant c’est une douce envie, C’est une vanité qui me séduit encor. Rapprochez-vous !.... c’est bien ; tout s’anime et se presse Au-dessus des brouillards, dans un monde plus grand, Mon cœur, qui rajeunit, aspire avec ivresse Le souffle de magie autour de vous errant.

ONCE a stranger youth to Corinth came, Who in Athens lived, but hoped that he From a certain townsman there might claim, As his father’s friend, kind courtesy. Son and daughter, they Had been wont to say Should thereafter bride and bridegroom be. But can he that boon so highly prized, Save tis dearly...

Many of the finest stories of magic and fantasy, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

La historia de Werther y su desmedido amor por Carlota es sin duda un bello exponente de la literatura del movimiento Sturm und Drang, precursor del Romanticismo. Sin embargo, supone a su vez una revuelta contra el imperio de la razón y una de las primeras reflexiones que trata en profundidad la...

Poetry is a fascinating use of language. With almost a million words at its command it is not surprising that these Isles have produced some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive verse through the centuries. . In this series we look at each calendar month through the eyes and minds of our...

Beneath your leafy gloom, ye waving boughs Of this old, shady, consecrated grove, As in the goddess' silent sanctuary, With the same shudd'ring feeling forth I step, As when I trod it first, nor ever here Doth my unquiet spirit feel at home. Long as the mighty will, to which I bow, Hath kept me here...