Christmas present - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
My sweet darling! Here in the walls of boxes
are a variety of sweets.
The fruits of a holy Christmas,
baked only to give to the children!
I would then like to prepare a poetic carrot for you with a sweet turn of speech
;
but what's the use of such vanity?
Away with the attempt to dazzle with flattery!
But there is still a sweetness that speaks from within
to within, savourable in the distance,
that can only waft over to you.
And if you then feel a friendly reminder,
as if stars you know well were twinkling happily,
you will not spurn the smallest gift.