Section 111. Goethe’s Death. II

In silent anguish they⁠ now awaited the close now so surely approaching (S. 48, N. 6). His speech was becoming less and less distinct. The last words audible⁠ were: “More Light!” The final⁠ darkness⁠ grew apace, and he⁠ whose eternal longings had been for more light, gave a parting cry for it as he was passing under the shadow of death.

He continued to express himself by signs, drawing⁠ letters⁠ with his forefinger in the air, while he⁠ had strength, and finally, as life (S. 3, N. 2) ebbed⁠, drawing⁠ figures slowly on the shawl which covered his legs. At⁠ half-past twelve he composed⁠ himself in the corner of the easy chair. His faithful watcher⁠ placed a finger on her lips to intimate that he was asleep⁠. It was a sleep in which a life glided⁠ from the world. He⁠ woke no more.—G. H. Lewes, Life of Goethe.

they = his friends, die Seinen.

In ordinary prose adjectives qualifying a noun should precede it.

final = last.

Dunkel (n.) stieg hernieder.

he — death = he who had always longed (sich sehnen) for (nach) more light, cried still parting for it (danach) when the night of death overshadowed him.

The conjunction indem with a finite verb is frequently employed for rendering the English Participle in -ing used in adverbial clauses of manner; as—

Supporting himself on her arm he slowly ascended the stairs. Indem er sich auf ihren Arm stützte, stieg er langsam die Treppe hinauf.

Buchstaben, which place after ‘forefinger’.

After ‘he’ insert the adverb noch.

dahin´fluten.

drew he slowly figures (Zahlen), etc.

Um halb eins.

to compose oneself in the corner, sich ruhig in die Ecke zurück´legen.

Wärterin.

Use the Present of the Subj. App. § 28 and § 30.

scheiden; from, aus.

Say ‘Goethe’ instead of ‘he’; woke = awoke; no more, nicht wieder.