VANITAS! VANITATUM VANITAS! (Goethe, 1806)

My trust in nothing now is placed,
Hurrah!
So in the world true joy I taste,
Hurrah!

Then he who would be a comrade of mine
Must rattle his glass, and in chorus combine,
Over these dregs of wine.

I placed my trust in gold and wealth,
Hurrah!
But then I lost all joy and health,
Lack-a-day!

Both here and there the money roll'd,
And when I had it here, behold,
From there had fled the gold!

I placed my trust in women next,
Hurrah!
But there in truth was sorely vex'd,
Lack-a-day!

The False another portion sought,
The True with tediousness were fraught,
The Best could not be bought.

My trust in travels then I placed,
Hurrah!
And left my native land in haste.
Lack-a-day!

But not a single thing seem'd good,
The beds were bad, and strange the food,
And I not understood.

I placed my trust in rank and fame,
Hurrah!
Another put me straight to shame,
Lack-a-day!

And as I had been prominent,
All scowl'd upon me as I went,
I found not one content.

I placed my trust in war and fight,
Hurrah!
We gain'd full many a triumph bright,
Hurrah!

Into the foeman's land we cross'd,
We put our friends to equal cost,
And there a leg I lost.

My trust is placed in nothing now,
Hurrah!
At my command the world must bow,
Hurrah!

And as we've ended feast and strain,
The cup we'll to the bottom drain;
No dregs must there remain!