Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in 1749. Having studied at Leipzig and Strassburg, he began to write some essays and lyrical verse, and at twenty-four wrote a play Goetz von Berlichingen, which brought him national fame and established him in the Sturm und Drang movement. He is most famous for his tragedy Werther. He died in 1832.

W. H. Auden was Professor of Poetry at Oxford University from 1956 to 1960. He published poems throughout his life, and in 1946 became a US citizen. He died in 1973.

Elizabeth Mayer has also translated, in collaboration with Louise Bogan, Elective Affinities and Werther.

Introduction by W. H. Auden and Elizabeth Mayer
Part One
From Carlsbad to the Brenner, September 1786
From the Brenner to Verona, September 1786
From Verona to Venice, September 1786
Venice, October 1786
From Ferrara to Rome, October 1786
Rome, First Roman Visit, October 1786-February 1787
Part Two
Naples, February-March 1787
Sicily, March-May 1787
Naples, May-June 1787
Part Three
Rome, Second Roman Visit, June 1787-April 1788
June 1787
July 1787
August 1787
September 1787
October 1787
November 1787
December 1787
January 1788
February 1788
March 1788
Index