A poem by this author in which a boy picks a rosebud despite its promise to prick him is contrasted with a companion poem in which a shepherdess carelessly tramples a violet. One of this author’s characters sings a poem in which a “golden goblet” is tossed “into the tide below” at the death of the title “King in Thule (TWO-lay).” In a monologue by this author, the title character laments the refrain “My peace is gone, my heart is sore” before wishing to perish by another character’s kisses. The question “Who rides so late through the night and wind?” begins a poem by this author in which an encounter with the title “elf king” causes a child to die in his father’s arms. For 10 points, name this German poet of “Erlkönig,” who included the ballad “Gretchen am Spinnrade” in his play Faust. ■END■
ANSWER: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (“GUR-tuh”) (The first line refers to “Heidenröslein” and “Das Veilchen.” Gretchen sings “The King in Thule” in her first monologue in Faust.)
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= Average correct buzz position