"Roman elegies"

"Roman elegies", originalmente publicada sob o título “Erotica Romana” na Alemanha, e mais tarde como "Römische Elegien", é um ciclo de vinte e quatro poemas de Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 de Agosto de 1749 - 22 de Março de 1832), uma das mais importantes figuras da literatura alemã e do Romantismo europeu, nos finais do século XVIII e inícios do século XIX.

I

Here my garden is growing, the flowers of Eros I tend here;

They are the Muse's own choice, bedded out wisely the bloom.

Branches that bear ripe fruit, the golden fruit of the life-tree:

Gladly I planted them once, gladly I nurture them now.

Stand here beside them, Priapus! I've nothing to fear from marauders;

Anyone's welcome, it's all free to be picked and enjoyed.

But keep the hypocrites out, those miscreants flaccid and shamefaced!

If one should dare to approach, peep at our charming domain,

Turn up his nose at the fruits of pure Nature, just punish his backside

With one thrust of that red stake-shaft that sprouts from your loins.

...