MY trust in nothing now is placed, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />So in the world true joy I taste, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />Then he who would be a comrade of mine <br />Must rattle his glass, and in chorus combine, <br />Over these dregs of wine. <br /> <br />I placed my trust in gold and wealth, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />But then I lost all joy and health, <br /> <br /> Lack-a-day! <br />Both here and there the money roll'd, <br />And when I had it here, behold, <br />From there had fled the gold! <br /> <br />I placed my trust in women next, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />But there in truth was sorely vex'd, <br /> <br /> Lack-a-day! <br />The False another portion sought, <br />The True with tediousness were fraught, <br />The Best could not be bought. <br /> <br />My trust in travels then I placed, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />And left my native land in haste. <br /> <br /> Lack-a-day! <br />But not a single thing seem'd good, <br />The beds were bad, and strange the food, <br />And I not understood. <br /> <br />I placed my trust in rank and fame, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />Another put me straight to shame, <br /> <br /> Lack-a-day! <br />And as I had been prominent, <br />All scowl'd upon me as I went, <br />I found not one content. <br /> <br />I placed my trust in war and fight, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />We gain'd full many a triumph bright, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />Into the foeman's land we cross'd, <br />We put our friends to equal cost, <br />And there a leg I lost. <br /> <br />My trust is placed in nothing now, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />At my command the world must bow, <br /> <br /> Hurrah! <br />And as we've ended feast and strain, <br />The cup we'll to the bottom drain; <br />No dregs must there remain!<br /><br />Johann Wolfgang von Goethe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/vanitas-vanitatum-vanitas/
