friedrich hÖlderlin...friedrich hÖlderlin selected poetry translated by david constantine poetry...

FRIEDRICHHÖLDERLIN

SELECTEDPOETRY

translatedbyDavidConstantine

PoetryBookSocietyRecommendedTranslation

FriedrichHölderlinwasoneofEurope’sgreatestpoets.ThestrangeandbeautifullanguageofhislatepoemsisrecreatedbyDavidConstantineintheseremarkableversetranslations.ThisisanewexpandededitionofConstantine’swidely-praisedHölderlinSelectedPoems(1990/1996),containingmanynewtranslationsaswellasthewholeofHölderlin’sSophocles

(2001),inwhichhesoughttocreateanequivalentEnglishforHölderlin’sextraordinaryGermanrecreationsoftheclassicGreekverseplays.

DavidConstantinewontheEuropeanPoetryTranslationPrizein1997forhistranslationsofHölderlin.Thisnewvolumepresentsasubstantialselectionfromtheworkofapoetwho,

writingaround1800,addressesusevermoreurgentlytwocenturieslater.

‘Hölderlinisapoetwecanreadwithourownatrocioustimesinmind.Heisadeeplyreligiouspoetwhosefundamentaltenetisabsenceandthethreatofmeaninglessness.He

confrontedhopelessnessasfewwritershave,hewaswhatRilkecalled“exposed”;butthereisnopoetrylikehisfortheconstantengenderingofhope,fortheexpression,inthebodyand

breathofpoems,ofthebestandmostpassionateaspirations’–DavidConstantine

‘Constantinegoesforan“equivalenceofspirit”inamorefamiliaridiom.Thisisatonceaboldandhumbleundertaking,andhasproducedpoetryofaremarkableluminosityand

intensity,writteninrhythmsandcadenceswhichrecreate,bothintheirextremitiesofgriefandtheirurgenthope,theimmediacyoftheoriginal’

–KarenLeeder,OxfordPoetry

Coverportrait:FriedrichHölderlin(1792)byFranzHiemerPASTELDRAWING(DEUTSCHESLITERATURARCHIVMARBACH)

PencildrawingbyJohannGeorgSchreinerandRudolfLohbauer27July1823(DeutschesLiteraturarchiv,Marbach)

FRIEDRICHHÖLDERLIN

SELECTEDPOETRY

TRANSLATEDBY

DAVIDCONSTANTINE

CONTENTS

TITLEPAGE

INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

GreeceTheoaktreesToDiotima(‘Comeandlookatthehappiness…’)Diotima(‘HeavenlyMuseofDelight…’)‘Thepeoplesweresilent…’EmpedoclesTotheFatesTohergoodangelPleaforForgivenessTotheSunGodHyperion’sSongofFate‘WhenIwasaboy…’Achilles‘Oncethereweregods…’‘IfIheededthemwarningmenow…’PartingTheZeitgeistEveningfantasyMorningTheMainThatwhichismine‘Anotherday…’‘Thesungoesdown…’PeaceHeidelbergTheGodsTheNeckar

HomeLoveCourseoflifeParting,secondversionDiotima(‘Youaresilent,yousufferit…’)ReturntothehomelandEncouragement,secondversionSungundertheAlpsThecallingofpoetryVoiceofthepeople,secondversionTheblindsingerPoeticcourage,firstversionPoeticcourage,secondversionThefetteredriverChironTearsToHopeVulcanTimidityGanymedeHalfoflifeAgesoflifeHahrdtNookMenon’slamentforDiotimaAwalkintothecountryStuttgartBreadandWineHomecomingTheArchipelagoThosesleepingnowAswhenonaholiday…ToMotherEarth

AtthesourceoftheDanubeCelebrationofPeace,firstversionCelebrationofPeace,finalversionThejourneyTheRhineGermaniaTheonlyone,firstversionTheonlyone,ll.50-97ofthesecondversionTheonlyone,thirdversionPatmosPatmos,fragmentsofalaterversionPatmos,ll.136-195ofworkonafinalversionRemembranceTheIsterMnemosyne,secondversionMnemosyne,thirdversion‘Asbirdsslowlypassover…’‘Asuponseacoasts…’Home‘Forwhenthejuiceofthevine…’‘Onpaleleaves…’‘Whenoverthevineyard…’TotheMadonnaTheTitans‘OnceIaskedtheMuse…’‘Butwhentheheavenlypowers…’‘Butformerly,FatherZeus…’TheEagleNearestandbest,thirdversionTinian‘Andtofeelthelives…’‘Wherewebegan…’…theVatican…Greece,firstversionGreece,ll.13-21ofthesecondversion

Greece,thirdversion‘Severedandatadistancenow…’‘Ihaveenjoyed…’‘Whenoutofheaven…’Spring(‘Whennewjoyquickens…’)AhappylifeThewalkThechurchyardNotalldays…Spring(‘Howblessedtoseeagain…’)Autumn(‘Thestoriesthatareleavingearth…’)Spring(‘Thenewdaycomes…’)View(‘Touswithimages…’)‘Inalovelyblue…’TRANSLATIONSFROMTHEGREEK

ChorusfromSophocles’OedipusatColonusFromEuripides’BacchaeChorusfromSophocles’AntigoneFromSophocles’OedipusatColonusFromSophocles’AjaxPindarFragmentsHÖLDERLIN’SSOPHOCLES

INTRODUCTION

Sophocles’OedipustheKingSophocles’AntigoneTRANSLATOR’SNOTES

GLOSSARY

COPYRIGHT

INTRODUCTION

Hölderlin was born in 1770, as were also Wordsworth, Hegel and Beethoven. Thatgenerationgrewupbelievingtheworld–‘theveryworld,whichistheworld/Ofallofus’–couldbechangedforthebetter,andthatlove,reasonandjusticewouldprevailinit,hereandnow.Theyweredisappointed.Butdisappointmentdoesnotannulhope.WhatwecanstillgetfromHölderlin,asfromWordsworth,isapassionateandgeneroushope.Thathopesurvives,intheteethofeverydisappointment.Hölderlin,writinghisbestpoemsafterthingshadgonebadlywrong inFranceandafter thepossibilityof improvement inGermanyhadbeen erased, constantly offers images and visions of fulfilled humanity. True, the poemsdemonstrate the absence of fulfilment; but their project is utopian and it is their drivetowards fulfilment which lingers in the blood after reading them. That feeling is anequivalentofwhatitwasliketobealivethen,when‘thewholeearth/Thebeautyworeofpromise’.Theexcitementandthefaithrevive.

Hölderlinwasbornintotheso-calledEhrbarkeit,theRespectability,whoadministeredChurch and State. He was brought up by an anxious mother; his father, and then hisstepfather,haddiedbeforehewasnine.Hewasbroughtupinandneverquiteescapedfromaconditionofdependence.Firstonhismother: though in fact comfortablyoff andwith alarge inheritance topasson toher eldest son, shekepthim throughouthis life inwantoffundsandheneverbrokefree.SecondlyontheState:hewasputthroughachurcheducationfree,onconditionthatheservetheState(throughitsChurch),onceeducated.Hespenthislife resisting thatobligation.Hewas schooled in theology,butalso inphilosophyand theclassics.He took all three very seriously, and the tensions that engenderedwere hard tomanage.HeenteredtheseminaryinTübingenin1788andsufferedthere,withhiseyesonFrance, as though it was the oppressive and anachronistic State in miniature. He hadSchellingandHegelwithhimasalliesinrepublicanism.

HölderlinwasborninLauffen,northofStuttgart,butgrewupinNürtingen,alsoontheNeckarbutsouthofthecity.AllhiseducationwasinSwabia–inDenkendorf,MaulbronnandTübingen–anditwastoTübingen,totheclinic,thathewasforciblyreturned,andallthelatterhalfofhislifehespentinatowerinthetownwallswithaviewoftheriverandthemeadowsandhillsbeyond.Swabiawashishomeland.Hesoughtemploymentoutsideit(hehadto,ortheChurchwouldhaveclaimedhim)butwhenthoseemploymentsfailed,hereturned.HeidealisedthehomelandastheparadiseofchildhoodandasthelocationfortheNewRepublic;butinfact,untilhiscollapse,hewasdebarredfromsettlinginit.Thatfact,likesomuchinHölderlin’slife,isintrinsicallyfigurative.

Hölderlin imagined his ideal largely inGreek terms.Quite simply, the civilisation ofPericleanAthensseemedtohimthebestthehumanracehadeverachievedandhewantedanequivalent of it for his own day and age and even believed the FrenchRevolutionmightbring itabout.Oncedisappointed,heriskedbecomingmerelynostalgic, foran idealsitedirretrievablyinthepast.Hecounteredthatbycommittinghimselftothepresent,topresenttimeandtopresentplace,andbyimagininganidealfutureforthem.Hecreated,poemby

poem, aworldhaving twopoles:Greece, andwhathe calledHesperia.And theheart ofHesperiawas his own homelandSwabia.He celebrates theworld north of theAlps, hisownworld, its towns and hills and above all its rivers, as a land fit for the ideal, oncerealisedinGreece,tobewelcomedinto;andagainandagainheconnectsGreece,nowlost,withHesperia,stilltocome.Thatwayofthinking–anidealpast,anunsatisfactorypresent,anidealfuture–wascharacteristicofHölderlin’sage;buttheexpressionhegavetoitwaspeculiarlyconcreteandprecise.Heembodiedhispoeticthinkinginlandscapes:inthoseheknewwell(havingwalkedthroughthem),andinothers,theGreek,whichhehadonlyreadabout in publications by French and English travellers.A similar luminousness lies overbothzones.

WhenHölderlinfinishedhiseducationin1793hetookimmediatestepstoavoidbeingdrafted into theChurch.Hewent ‘abroad’, that is, outsideSwabia, and became a house-tutor.Inallhehadfoursuchjobs.Itwastheusualthingforayoungmantodoifhewishedtoearnalivingwhilstchieflytobefurtheringhisownintellectualandartisticlife;butitwasacompromiseandnotahappyone.Histaskwastoeducatethechildrenofthewell-to-do.Inthatpaidcapacityhewasadomestic,andliablealwaystobetreatedaccordingly.Butbyhistalentsandhissensibilityhewas,veryoften,thesuperiorofhisemployers.Thepredicamentof thehouse-tutorwas inepitome thepredicamentofartistsand intellectualsaltogether inGermanyat that time:marginalisedanddependent.Theyaddedculture to ahousehold, asornamentandextra.Inthattheywerealliednaturallywiththewomen,whoserolealsowassubordinateandornamental.Hölderlin’sfirstpost,inWaltershausen,ontheremoteestateofSchiller’sfriendandconfidanteCharlottevonKalb,endedbadly.Hefellinlovewithandhad a child by a young woman called Wilhelmine Kirms who had left her elderly andabusivehusbandandbecomeFrauvonKalb’slady-companion.Thebabydiedofsmallpoxoneyearold.Hissecondpostwas inFrankfurt, thebankers’city.Therehesaw thespiritdenigratedandpushedtotheperiphery.Hesawmoneytriumphant.HisemployerwasJakobGontard, whose motto, despite being married to an intelligent, cultivated and beautifulwoman, was ‘Business first’. Susette was the mother of four young children; Hölderlinlookedaftertheeldest, theoneboy,agedeight.ShebecametheDiotimaofhispoemsandprooftohimthatideallifewaspossibleonearth.HerexistenceinFrankfurt,intheverycityofmercantiledreadfulnight,seemedmiraculous.Lovingandbeinglovedbyherhewas,foratime,inaconditionoffulfilledhumanity.ShewasGreecerecoveredandrestoredtolife,she was the woman fit for the New Age. When in France the attempt to change theinstitutions failed, bringing a new tyranny, many idealists put their hopes in a change ofhearts and minds instead. Susette in herself seemed to Hölderlin a guarantor of whathumanityhadbeen likeandmightbe likeagain.The idealwas realised– then lost.Theyweresevered,shedied,hismindcollapsed.

Hölderlin found his own poetic voicewhen hemet Susette. Prior to that he had beenmuch under the influence of otherwriters, notably Schiller (whom he adulated).Hewaswritinganovel,Hyperion,whenhecametoFrankfurt;here-wroteitwhenhemether.ItsheroineiscalledDiotima.Forgiveme,hesaid,givingherthesecondvolume,thatDiotimadies.The bookwas dedicated to SusetteGontard, in thewords ‘Wem sonst alsDir’ [Towhomelsebutyou].ForcedoutofherhouseinSeptember1798Hölderlinmovedtonearby

Homburgandthere,forawhile, livedonhisearningsandtriedtomakehisownway.Hereflected on his art and began to write the poems for which he is best known. And heworked at a tragedy,TheDeath of Empedocles, pushing it through three versions, to nocompletion. Away from Susette, in Nürtingen, Switzerland and Bordeaux, he wrote theelegies, ‘Bread and Wine’, ‘Homecoming’, ‘Menon’s lament for Diotima’ and the greathymns in Pindar’s style, ‘The Rhine’, ‘The journey’, ‘Germania’ and, later, ‘Patmos’. Awhole unique oeuvrewas produced. There cannot have beenmany days during his briefmaturitywhenhewasnotwritingatpoemsamongtheverybestinGermanliterature.Itisatremendouswork,likenobodyelse’s,hisineverylineandinitslargeproject.

Inthewinterof1801-02HölderlinwalkedtoBordeaux,overtheAuvergne.Hetookupajobashouse-tutorthere,hislast;butleftinMayandwenthome,viaParis(wherehesawtheclassicalstatuesNapoleonhadstolenfromItaly).SusettediedinJune,ofGermanmeaslescaught whilst nursing her children. When Hölderlin showed himself in Stuttgart andNürtingenhisfriendsandfamilythoughthimoutofhismind.ButitisnotknownforcertainwhetherornothehadalreadylearnedSusettewasdead.

Thereafter,forfouryearsuntilhisincarcerationintheclinic,hestruggledagainstfatigueand distraction, andwrotemarvellous poems – ‘Patmos’, for example, ‘Mnemosyne’ and‘Remembrance’.Heheld a sinecure inHomburg, as librarian to theLandgraf, and itwasfromtherethathewastransportedinSeptember1806,havingbecome,soitwassaid, toodifficulttomanageinthatlittletown.Hehadeightmonthsintheclinic,andwasdischargedthenasincurablewith‘atmostthreeyears’tolive.Helivedanotherthirty-six,halfhislife,ingoodhands,inthelovingandsensiblecareofacarpenter’sfamily,hisownwantinglittleornothingtodowithhim.Hebecameacelebrity,sightseersvisitedhimandaskedhimforverses,whichhe readilygave.Theyare rhymingverses, andhe signed themwith strangenames. Yes, he was much visited, by the ghoulish and by the truly devoted. He diedpeacefullyin1843.

Hölderlinisthepoetofabsence.Hisgodshavedeparted,presencehasbeenlost.Thereisnopoetmorehonestanduncompromisinginthedepictionofabsenceandloss.ReadingHölderlinweknowwhatbereavement,initswidestsense,islike.Butweknowalso,withanequalorgreaterforce,whatfulfilmentwouldbelike,whatitwouldbeliketolivelivesfull of love and joy; and the injunction of his poetry, always there, is to believe in thepossibilityofthatfulfilmentandtoseektomakeitreal.

ThisnewvolumeofmytranslationsofHölderlin’sworkssupersedes theprevious two(1990,1996). Ihaveaddedmore than sixtypoemsandcompleted the ‘PindarFragments’(till now represented solely by ‘Concerning the dolphin’). Also included here, in myEnglish,areHölderlin’s translationsofSophocles’OedipusandAntigone (first publishedbyBloodaxein2001)andafewmoreimportantpassagesofSophoclesandEuripides.Stillthis isnothinglikeacompleteeditionofHölderlin’swork.Forsomethingcloser to that–mostof thepoemsand thesecondand thirdversionsofhisverse tragedyEmpedocles, inGerman and in English – I am glad to direct readers toMichaelHamburger’sFriedrichHölderlin:PoemsandFragments(AnvilPressPoetry,2004).

Hamburger thought of himself as a ‘mimetic’ translator; that is, he reproduced verycloselynot only the sensebut also the forms– the stanzas, the lines, themetrics –of the

originals. I have kept close, but not so close. In translating the odes (‘To the Fates’, forexample,or‘PleaforForgiveness’)Iadoptedtheirsyllabiccountbutnottheirmetres;forthe elegies, such as ‘Homecoming’ and ‘Bread and Wine’, and for the long poem ‘TheArchipelago’Iattemptedquitenearbutnotexactequivalentsofhexametersandpentameters;forthehymnsandthehymnicfragmentsIimitatedHölderlin’srhythms,whicharefree,andallowedmyselfonlyasmany linesasheused; in the lastpoems I rhymed,not alwaysasstrictly as he did. Beyond that, to use (roughly) Ewald Osers’ distinction, I went forequivalenceofeffectratherthanexactreproductionofthemeansoftheeffects.

ItranslatedthepoemsastheyappearinVolumes1iand2ioftheSämtlicheWerke,editedby Friedrich Beissner and Adolf Beck (Stuttgart 1943-85); but for this third and greatlyenlargededitionIhavemademoreusethanIdidbeforeoftherivalCompleteWorkseditedby D.E. Sattler and others, published in Frankfurt (1975-2008), and also of DietrichUffhausen’s Hölderlins hymnische Spätdichtung (Stuttgart 1989). Beissner, a classicalphilologist and an extraordinarily fine and scrupulous reader ofHölderlin’smanuscripts,workedalwaystowardsestablishinga‘finishedtext’andthis,alongwithanyfinishedoratleast distinct versions of a poem, he published in 1i and 2i. Everything else, all theundecided, inconclusive and abandoned possibilities, he conscientiously presented in theaccompanyingvolumes(1iiand2ii),forreaderstostudyalongsidethetextsin1iand2i,iftheywishedandwereableto.SattlerandUffhausenboththoughtthiseditorialphilosophyand practice improper; and in their editions they supply facsimiles of the manuscriptsthemselves, followed by typographical equivalents of those facsimiles, and finally areadable text as it were physically coming out of the often very convoluted drafts andrevisions.Ifeelmoreinclinedthistime,havingdonemorepoems,andparticularlymoreofthe late hymns and fragments, to admit that a ‘truer’ translation would be one whichfollowedexactly thegenesis,progress and,quiteoften, failureof apoemon itsway (weassume)toafinalform.The‘truest’translationthenwouldbeoneofallthewordsoneverymanuscriptpageexactlyintheirplacesrelativetooneanother,amethodwhichwouldtendtounderminethewholeconceptoflinearprogressionsinceHölderlinfrequentlybeganhispoems inKeimworte [seed-words] scattered across a sheet of paper and out of them hereleased, like a series of starbursts, the life and shape of the poem. Often also he leftvariants–differentepithets,forexample–standingtillaverylatestageofcomposition;andinpoemshedidnotfinish,theretheyremained,aspossibilities.Andifyoubelieve,asIdo,thatanyalterationevenofasingleword,orachoosingonefromtwoorthree,affectsmoreorlesspalpablyandsignificantlytheworkingsandsenseofthewholepoem,youmayseeinaHölderlinpoeminprogressanabyssofco-existentpossibilities,quitedizzying.Makingatranslation of such a phenomenon with its different inks, different thicknesses of nib,differentlayersofwork(intermingledsometimeswithstrayelementsfromotherpoems),theearliest still visible through the latest – the translator would have to follow the creatingmind itself, and todo that exactly and truthfullywould take far longer than I’vegot.So IhavetranslatedBeissner’sfinished-lookingtextsanddon’twiththesefewremarksmeantoimpugntheminanyway.ButstudyingtheworkofSattlerandUffhausenIhavecomeclosertoasenseofthefearfulundertowbeneathHölderlin’sstrictlybeautifulclassicalforms,themaelstromof chaoswhichmay actuallybe the same thing as creation at its highest pitch.

Andawareofthat,Iloveandadmirehimevermoreforhisheroicstruggleagainstthethreatofdissolutioninherentinhisundertaking,andforhismanytriumphs.

ForthemostpartIhaveorderedthepoemsaccordingtothechronologyoftheStuttgartedition, thechiefexceptionbeingthatIbrought thenine‘NightSongs’ togetherasagroupandintheorderinwhichtheywerefirstpublishedin1805.

Finally (since itmay seem rather aneccentric exercise), awordonmy translationsofsome of Hölderlin’s translations. His, chiefly those from Greek, are central to, and anintegralpartof,hiswholepoeticoeuvre.Hecame intohisownpoetic languagebydoingthem – a language that is uniquely his, thoroughly German, uand beautifully haunted byGreek.Anyonewishing to read into theheartofHölderlin’spoetrywillbehelpedbyhistranslations. So I have ‘Englished’ some – not the great Pindar translations of 1800, butothers (includingOedipus andAntigone) less extreme in their procedure which could, Ithought,beusefully‘broughtacross’.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This edition has been expanded from Selected Poems (Bloodaxe Books, 1990) and itssecond, expanded edition (1996), with the addition of a substantial number of newtranslations as well as incorporating the whole of Hölderlin’s Sophocles: Oedipus &Antigone(BloodaxeBooks,2001).

A part of my translation of Hölderlin’s Oedipus first appeared in ComparativeCriticism,20(1998),andafewofthepoemsinModernPoetryinTranslation.

A large part of this new volume has been closely read forme byHelen Constantine,SashaDugdale andCharlieLouth. I amdeeply grateful to them formany corrections andimprovementsandmuchhelpfuldiscussion.

Pencildrawingbyunknownartist,probablyafellow-student.(WürttembergischeLandesbibliothek,Cod.poet.et.phil.fol.63,V.b.3)

Greece(forStäudlin)

HadIfoundyouundershadyplanetreesWherethroughflowerstheCephissus’watersflowedWheretheyoungmendreamedthewaystogloryWhereSocrateswasheardandheartswereswayedWhereAspasiastrolledthroughgrovesofmyrtleWheremyPlatosetthevisionfreeWherefromthenoisyagorathepeopleRaisedthegladshoutsoffraternity

WherethespringwasspicedwithfestivesingingWheretheriversofinspirationPouredfromAthene’ssacredhilltopgivingThanksandpraiseforherprotection,WherebyathousandhoursofpoetryDreaminglikegods,theystayedthefleetingyearsOhhadIfoundyouthereandlovedyoudearlyAsIhavelovedyouinthisageofours

Howdifferentthenwouldhavebeenourembraces–You’dhavesungmethedeadatMarathonInyoureyes,smilingonmeinthosedays,Lovelywildenthusiasmwouldhaveshone,YourheartmadeyoungagainbyvictoriesYourspirittoo,amongthelaurelleaves,TherewouldhavefeltthejoyouscoolingbreezesStintedinourcloseoppressivelives.

Hasyourstaroflovebeencloudedover?Andyouth’srosy-fingereddawningtoo?OhinthedanceofHellas’goldenhoursThefleeingoftheyearswouldnottouchyou.ThereineveryhearteternallyLoveandcourageburnedlikeHestia’sflameTherelikethegardenoftheHesperidesAlwaysyouth’sproudpleasureswereinbloom.

Ohyourheartwouldnothavebeatenvainly

Forthepeopleinthosebetterdays.InyourlovingstrongfraternityJoywouldhavebroughtthetearstoyoureyes.Waitawhile–thehourwillcomeforcertainAndsetfreethegodsfromwherethey’repent.Die!Youseekinthisearth’shabitationInvainyournoblespirit’selement.

Attica,theheroine,hasfallenWherethechildrenofthegodsarelainInthecity’smarblehallsinruinStandsthecraneinmourningnowalone.Springreturns,thesmilingspring,thegraciousButshe’llfindherbrothersnevermoreIntheholyvalleyoftheIllisus–Underthornsandrubble:seekthemthere!

LetmecrossintothedistantcountryToAlcaeusandAnacreonInthenarrowhouseI’dsleepmoregladlyAmongtheholyshadesofMarathon.Oh,forGreece,belovedland,letthesebeThelastofallthetearsIevershedSevernowmythreadoflife,oParcaeFormyheartisgiventothedead.

Theoaktrees

OutofthegardensIcometoyou,sonsofthemountain!OutofthegardenswhereNaturelivespatientandhomelyCaringandcaredfortogetherwithhard-workingwomenandmen.ButyoulikearaceofTitansstandinaworldthatistamerSplendid,belongingonlytoyourselvesandtheheavensWhonourishedandraisedyouandtotheearth,yourmother.NoneofyoueverwasputthroughtheschoolsofhumansEachamongall,joyously,freely,fromvigorousrootsForcesupwardsandseizes,aseaglestheirpreySpacewithyourpowerfularmsandtowardsthecloudsLargeandsereneyouliftupyoursunlitcrowns.Eachofyouisaworld,youlivelikethestarsintheskyEachoneagod,inafreeconfederacy.IfIcouldbearmyservitudeneverwouldIenvythesetreesButtothesocialworldIwouldfitmyselfgladly.WereInolongershackledtothesocialworldbymyheartThatcannotstoploving,howgladlyI’dliveamongyou!

ToDiotima

Comeandlookatthehappiness:treesinthecoolingbreezesAretossingtheirbranches

Likedancers’hairandwithsunshineandraintheskyIsplayingontheearth

AsthoughjoyhadhandsandwereraisingamusicAndlightandshadows

PassinsuccessionandharmonyoverthehillsAwaylikethemyriad

NotesthatswarminalovingquarrelOveralute.

GentlytheskyhastouchedhisbrothertheriverWithsilverydrops

AndnowheisnearandheemptieswhollythefullnessHeldinhisheart

Overthetreesandtheriverand…

Andverdantcopses,thesky’sownfaceontheriverFadesandwelosethem,

Theheadofthemountain,alone,thelittlehouses,therocksHehidesinhislap

AndthehillsthatassemblearoundhimlikelambsClothedinblossom

AssoftaswoolandthatsuckontheclearcoldSpringsofthemountain,

Themistingfloorwithitsseedandflowers,Thegardenhere,

Closethingsanddistantleaveusandwaneinahappyconfusion,Thesungoesout.

ButnowwitharushthefloodsofheavenhavepassedAndpurer,younger,

Theearthwithherluckychildrenstepsfromthebath.Inlivelierjoy

Thegreenoftheleavesshinesforthandbrighterthegoldoftheflowers,

Whiteasthesheepthattheshepherdhasflunginthedip,

Diotima

HeavenlyMuseofDelight,whooncereconciledtheelementsComenow,quietenformethechaosofthetimes,

SettlethefuriousfightingwithpeacefulmusicofheavenTillinthemortalheartwhatisdisseveredunites,

Tillhumankind’sfirstnature,generousandequable,risesOutofthetimesinferment,powerfulandserene.

Return,livingbeauty,intothescantedheartsofthepeople,Returntothewelcomingtable,returntothetemples.

ForDiotimaliveslikethedelicateblossominwinter,Richinspiritofherown,shetooseeksafterthesun.

Butthesunofthespirit,thelovelierworld,hasgoneunderAndinthechillingnightthereisonlythehurricanes’strife.

Thepeoplesweresilent…

Thepeoplesweresilent,slumbering,thenFatesawtoitTheywouldnotsleepforgoodandtherecameNature’sImplacable,terribleson,theoldspiritofunrest.HestirredlikefirethatheavesintheheartoftheearthShakestheancientcitieslikeripefruittreesShredsmountainsandswallowsoaksandrocks.

Andarmiescameinlikethefuriouswelteringsea.LikegodsoftheseamanyamanheldswayInthewelteringfight,muchhotblooddrainedIntothekillingfieldsandeverydesireandeveryHumanenergyspentitselfinrageinoneVastabattoirfromtheblueRhinetotheTiberAndforyearsthereallaroundtheorderedUnstoppablebutcherymanoeuvred.InthattimeDestiny,thepotentate,playedAboldgamewithallthosemortallives.

AndgoldenfruitswillgleamforyouagainLikesereneandgraciousstarsthroughthecoolnightOftheorangegrovesofItaly.

Empedocles

Lifeyouwereseeking,life,anditsprangandshoneAsdivinefirefromdeepintheearthforyouAndyouincoldterroranddesire

FlungyourselfintotheflamesofEtna.

SoinherarrogancetheQueenmeltedpearlsInwine.Whyshouldshenot?Butbetterifyou,Poet,hadn’tcastinsacrifice

Yourrichestothefermentingcrater.

YetyouareholytomelikethepowerOftheearththattookandkilledyouforboldness.AndintothedepthsIshouldgladly

Followthathero,didnotloveholdme.

TotheFates

Givemeonesummer,youwiththepowerto,Onlyone,andanautumnofsong,sothatMyhearthavingfedtoitscontent

Onmusicwillbehappierdying.

AsoulwithhelditsheavenlyrightinlifeWillberestlessinOrcusalso;butletThemakingoftheholiestthing

Myheartwants,thepoem,begivenme

Welcomethenthesilenceoftheworldofshades!Iamatpeace,althoughmymusicmaynotAccompanymedown.OnceI’llhave

LivedlikethegodsandmoreI’mnotasking.

Tohergoodangel

Sendherflowersandfruitfromanever-exhaustingabundanceSendher,friendlyspirit,heaven’seternalyouth.

CloakherinyourdelightsandlethernotseethetimesShe,theAthenian,livesin,lonely,astrangerhere

TillonedayinthelandoftheblessedsheembraceshersistersWhoruledandjoyouslylovedthereinPhidias’time.

PleaforForgiveness

OftenI’velostyouthegoldentranquillityOfheaven,yoursbynature,andwhatyouhavehadFrommearemanyoflife’s

Moresecretanddeepersorrows.

ForgetthemnowandforgivemeandlikethecloudOverthepeacefulmoonthereIshallpassandyouWillbewhatyouwereandshine

Inyourbeauty,belovedlight.

TotheSunGod

Whereareyou?ThesoulisshadowyinmeAnddrunkonyourhappiness.AmomentsinceIsawadazzlinggod,likeayoung

Mantiredatthefinishofajourney,

BathingthehairofhisheadingoldencloudsAndmyeyescan’tkeepfromlookingwherehewent.Hehasleftusnow,hehasgoneto

Landswheretheylovehimstillandreverehim.

Iloveyou,earth,foryouaregrievingwithmeAndourgrieflikethetroublesofchildrenturnsIntosleepandjustasthebreezes

Flutterandwhisperinthestringsuntil

MoreadeptfingerscoaxabettermusicOutofthemsomistsanddreamsplayoverusUntilthelovedonecomesandlifeand

Thespiritarekindledinusagain.

Hyperion’sSongofFate

Youinhabitthelight,youwalkOneasyground,theshiningBreezesofheavenplay

Aroundyou,theblessed,Aslightlyasthelyre-Playingfingersofagirl.

Godshavenofate,theyhaveThesleepinginfant’sQuietbreath;

Theirspirits,keptFromspoilinginthebud,Blossomforever;

TheyhaveastillEternalclarityOfgaze.

Wehavenofootinganywhere,Norest,wetopple,Fallandsuffer

BlindlyfromhourTohourlikewaterPitchedfromfall

Tofall,yearin,Yearout,headlong,Ignorant.

WhenIwasaboy…

WhenIwasaboyAgodoftenrescuedmeFromtheshoutsandtherodsofmen

AndIplayedamongtreesandflowersSecureintheirkindnessAndthebreezesofheaven

Wereplayingtheretoo.

AndasyoudelightTheheartsofplantsWhentheystretchtowardsyouWithlittlestrength

SoyoudelightedtheheartinmeFatherHelios,andlikeEndymionIwasyourfavourite,Moon.Oall

YoufriendlyAndfaithfulgodsIwishyoucouldknowHowmysoulhaslovedyou.

EventhoughwhenIcalledtoyouthenItwasnotyetwithnames,andyouNevernamedmeaspeopledoAsthoughtheyknewoneanother.

IknewyoubetterThanIhaveeverknownthem.IunderstoodthestillnessabovetheskyButneverthewordsofmen.

TreesweremyteachersMelodioustreesAndIlearnedtoloveAmongflowers.

Igrewupinthearmsofthegods.

Achilles

Glorioussonofagoddess,whentheytookyourbelovedfromyouWeepingyouwenttotheseashore,andintothetide

LamentingwithallyourheartandintotheholydepthsthereCriedtosinkdowntothestillnesswherefaraway

Fromthedinofships,deepunderthewaves,inherpeacefulgrottoBlueThetislived,yourprotector,goddessofthesea.

Motheroftheyouth,apowerfulgoddess,sheonhisisland’sRockyshorehadlovinglysuckledtheinfantboy

AndwiththemuscularsongofthesurfandproofinghiminThebathoftheStyxhadraisedhimtobeahero.

Nowthemotherhearingtheyoungman’slamentationsRoselikeamistfromthebedoftheseainsorrow

Hushedwithtenderembracesherdarling’stroubleandheListenedwhilesoothinglyshegavehimherword,tohelp.

Sonofagoddess,wereIlikeyouIcouldfacetofacewithOneofthedwellersinheavenuttermysecretsorrow

WhichIamnottoseebutmustbeartheshameofasthoughIwereNolongerherswhowithtearsthinksofmenevertheless.

Kindgods,butyouheareveryhumanbeing’ssupplicationAndoh!Ihavelovedwithapiouspassion,earth

YourholylightsincethedayIwasbornandyourspringsandforestsAndthisheartwithtoopurealonginghasfeltyou

Fatheroftheaether–okindones,quietenmysorrowingLetnotthesoulinmebesilencedtoosoonbutlet

Meliveinthefleeingofthedayswithgratefulsong,oheavenlyPowers,togiveyouthanksforthegoodyouhavedoneme

Already,thejoysofmyyouththatisalreadyoverAndoutofmylonelinessthentakemekindlytoyou.

Oncethereweregods…

Oncethereweregodsonearth,withpeople,theheavenlymusesAndApollo,theyouth,healing,inspiringlikeyou.

Andyouarelikethemtome,asthoughoneoftheblessedSentmeoutintolife,whereIgomycomrade’s

ImagegoeswithmewhereverIsufferandbuild,withloveUntodeath;forIlearnedthisandhavethisfromher.

Letuslive,ohyouwhoarewithmeinsorrow,withmeinfaithAndheartandloyaltystrugglingforbettertimes!

Forsuchweare!AndifeverinthecomingyearstheyknewOfustwowhenthespiritmattersagain

Theywouldsay:loversinthosedays,alone,theycreatedTheirsecretworldthatonlythegodsknew.Forwho

Caresonlyforthingsthatwilldietheearthwillhavethem,butNearerthelight,intotheclaritiescome

Thosekeepingfaithwiththeheart’sloveandholyspiritwhowereHopeful,patient,still,andgotthebetteroffate.

IfIheededthemwarningmenow…

IfIheededthemwarningmenowtheywouldsmileandthinkSeekingtoavoidushefellsoonertous,thefool.

Andtheywouldseenoprofitinthat,

Singme,terriblegoddesses,whateverevilsawaitmeSingagainandagainthesongofmyfateatmyear

IntheendI’llbeyours,Iknowit,butbeforethenIwillBelongtomyselfandseizelifeformyselfandfame.

Parting

WhenIamdead,inshame,whenIcan’tgetmysoulVengeanceonherinsulters,whenbythespirit’sEnemiesI’mbroughtdown

Beaten,intoacoward’sgrave

Forgetmethen,evenyou,whoarekind,andletMynamegounderintooblivion,blushFormethen,evenyou,my

Friendalways,butnotuntilthen.

ButIknowitalready.Soon,ohmylovingComrade,beyondyourhelpallthefamiliarsOfdeathwillplaymyheartand

Tearatittilltheyuntuneme.

Nowofmyyouth,mybravetime,maythelocksofhairAswellgowhitetodayaswaitfortomorrow,

herewherethewayspartIntoloneliness,wheregrief,Thekillinggrief,hasflungmedown.

TheZeitgeist

FortoolongyouhavegovernedabovemyheadYouinthecloudofdarkness,godofthetimes.Allrounditistoowild,toofearful:

TopplingandruinwhereverIlook.

OhlikeaboyoftenIcastmyeyesdownSeekundergroundaplacetobesafefromyouAndwishlikeafoolthereweresomewhere

Shakerofeverything,whereyouarenot.

Finally,father,letmeencounteryouWithopeneyes,fordidyounotwakenfirstByyourlightningthespiritinme

Andbringmebravelytothetouchoflife?

True,fromyoungvinesasacredstrengthcomestousInthemildairwhentheyarequietlyWalkingamongtreesagodmaymeet

Andencouragemortalhumans,butyou

WithgreaterforcewakeuptheuntouchedsoulsOftheyoungandteachtheoldwisearts.OnlyThebadgetworsesotheysoonerend

Whenyou,earthshaker,layyourhandonthem.

Eveningfantasy

Theploughmansitsathisdoorinthequietshade.Smokerisesfromhishearth.Heiscontented.Forthewayfarerhospitably

Vesper-bellsringinthepeacefulvillage.

SailorsalsowillbemakingforharbourIndistanttowns;thebusydinofmarketsFadescheerfully;inthestillgarden

Themealshinesforagatheringoffriends.

AndwhereshallIgo?MortalslivefromwagesAndwork,theytoil,theyrestfromtheirtoiling.Allhavejoy.Whythenonlyinme,

Inmyheart,doestheuneaseneversleep?

Onthewesternskyaspringtimeisflowering;Rosesbloomwithoutnumber,thegoldenworldHasaquietlook.Ocrimsonclouds

Carrymehighaboveandthereinlight

Andairletmyloveandsorrowdissolve.ButThemagic,asifmyfoolpleafrighteneditFleesaway,thedarkcomesandalone

AseverundertheheavensamI.

Come,gentlesleep,cometomenow.TheheartasksToomuch.Butyouthintheend,restless,dreamyOfcoursewillcoolandfadeandoldage

Willhavesomepeacethenandserenity.

Morning

Thegrassglistenswithdew;quickeralreadyNowthewokenstreamhastens;thebirchinclinesHerswayinghead,inherfoliage

Arustling,ashimmering;andaround

Thegreycloudsreddishflamesaredrifting,theyriseInasilentannunciation,heaveHigherandhigherlikeincoming

Breakers,neverfixed,evershape-changing.

Comenow,ohcome,goldenday,anddon’ttoosoonHurryawaytothesummitofheavenFormysightcanflyafteryou,see

Yourjoycloser,moreopenly,solong

AsthelookofyourbeautyisyouthfulstillNotyettoolordlyforme,tooproud.ButyouWishalwaystohurry,ohcouldI

Gowithyou,wayfarergod,butyousmile

ThatIinthehubrisofjoyshoulddesireTobelikeyou.BlessthenrathermymortalOccupationsandinyourkindness

Brightenagaintodaymyquietpath.

TheMain

ManyalandofthelivingearthIwishIcouldseeandoftenoverthemountainsTheheartabscondsanditslongingscross

Theseastotheshoreswhichareofall

IknowmostpraisedbutofthoseinthedistanceNonetherearedearertomethanwherethesonsAnddaughtersofthegodsaresleeping

Thelandinmourning,thelandoftheGreeks.

OhonedayI’dliketolandonSounion’sCoastandquestionyourcolumns,OlympieumBeforethenorthwindburiesyoutoo

WiththeAthenians’rubbledtemples

Andimagesofdivinity.ForyouHavestoodalonealongtime,prideoftheworldNowlost.Andyou,oyoubeautiful

IslandsofIoniawherethesea’s

CoolbreezeswaftonthewarmshoreandunderAstrongsunthegrapesareripening,ohwhereAgoldenautumnconvertstosong

Thesighingofthepoorpeoplewhennow

Fromtheirgriefstheirpomegranatetrees,fullofCrimsonfruit,theirlemongroves,andthesweetwineThedrumandthezithersummonthem

Todancethelabyrinthinedance–toyou

Oislands,ahomelesssingerwillperhapsOnedayfindhiswayforhemustwanderfromStrangerstostrangersandthefreeearth

Alasmustservehimforamotherland

Solongashelivesandwhenhedies–butIHowfarandwhereverIwanderneverWillIforgetyou,lovelyMain,your

Shores,theirmanyandmanifoldblessings.

Proudriver,IcameasastrangertoyouYouwelcomedmein,yougladdenedmyeyes,youTaughtmesongsthatglidedsoftlyon

Andhowtolivealifethatmadenonoise.

Peacefullywiththestars,youhappyriverYougoyourwayfromyourmorningtoeveningTowardsyourbrother,theRhine,andthen

Withhimjoyfullydowntotheocean.

Thatwhichismine

Theautumndaysreposeintheirfullnessnow,ThegrapesarelitallthroughandtheorchardsredWithfruitthough,asalibation,some

Ofthelovelyblossomdidfalltoearth.

AndinthefieldsaroundwhereIfollowThequietpathoutcontentedmenandwomenSeehowtheirlandhasripenedandwhat

Happylabouritsrichnesswillgivethem.

Themildlightoftheskieslooksdownonthem,ComesthroughtheirtreesuponthembusyworkingAndsharesthejoy,forthefruitsarenot

Onlyaworkofthehandsofhumans.

Ohgoldenlightdoyoushineformetoo,doesTheairbreatheonmeagainasthoughblessingSomejoysuchasoncetherewasandcame

Visitingmyheartlikeahappyman’s?

Iwassobutlikeroses,passingasthey,Thatgoodlifewentandyet,toooften,thestars,Stillflowering,whichareallIhave,

Thestarsaremysweetremindersofit.

Happythequietloveofmanandwife,aHearthandhomeinacountrytobeproudof.Oversolidgroundtheheavensshine

Morebeautifullyandamanissteady.

ForliketheplantifitcannotrootingroundOfitsownthesoulburnsoutofanymanWhogoeshiswaysontheholyearth

Onlywiththedaylight,apoormortal.

Oheightsofheaven,thepullofyouisstrong,Toostrong,inwildweather,onquietdays,IfeelTheforceoftherestlessgods,theycome

Andtheygoanditwastesmyheartaway.

TodaythoughletmewalkmyfamiliarPathinpeaceamongthetreeswhoseleavesarelitInthecrownwithgold,dying,andwreathe

Myheadlikewisewithkindmemories.

Andsothatformetoo,asthereisforothers,TosavemymortalhearttherewillbeaplaceToabideandthesoulnotleavemylife

Andgobeyondme,longingandhomeless,

LetthepoembemyplaceofasylumAndfriendlygarden,tendedforitsjoyswithCarefullove,andamongthealways

Renewingflowersletmewalkanddwell

InasecuresimplicitywhileoutsideWaveonwavethecolossalunsteadytimesAreroaringatadistanceandthe

QuietersunfurtherstheworkIdo.

OvermortalmenthepowersofheavenIntheirkindnessblessforeveryonehisown.Ohblessformetoothatwhichismine

AndmaytheFatesnotendthedreamtoosoon.

Anotherday…

Anotherday.Ifollowanotherpath,Entertheleafingwoodland,visitthespringOrtherockswheretherosesbloom

Orspyoutfromthehilltop,butnowhere

LoveareyoutobeseeninthelightofdayAnddownthewindgothewordsofouroncesoBeneficentconversation

Yourbelovedfacehasgonebeyondmysight,ThemusicofyourlifeisdyingawayBeyondmyhearingandallthesongs

Thatworkedamiracleofpeaceonceon

Myheart,wherearetheynow?Itwaslongago,SolongandtheyouthIwashasagednorisEventheearththatsmiledatmethen

Thesame.Farewell.Livewiththatwordalways.

ForthesoulgoesfrommetoreturntoyouDayafterdayandmyeyesshedtearsthattheyCannotlookovertowhereyouare

Andseeyouclearlyeveragain.

Thesungoesdown…

Thesungoesdown.Beautiful,theyhavepaidyouScantattention;holy,theyknewyounotWhowithouttoilandinquietness

Haverisenoverthem,thetoilers.

MeyouareafriendtogoingdownandrisingAndmyeyesknowyou,omysovereignlight,ForIlearnedaquietreverence

WhenDiotimamademysenseswhole.

Mygo-betweenwithheaven,howIlistenedForyou,love,Diotima,andhowtheseeyesFromyoutothegoldenlightofday

Lifted,shiningandthankful.Thenthestreams

Rushedwithagreaterlifeandblossomoftheearth,Ofourblackearth,breathedonmelovinglyAndsmilingabovesilverclouds

Inclinedtomewithblessingsthepureblue.

Asthoughtheancientwaters,thetransformedinto

Adifferentrage,moreterrible,Cameagain,tocleanse,thatbeingneeded

SowarinastyleunheardofranandgrewAndseethedwithouthaltfromyeartoyearandswampedThescaredlandfarandwideandpeople

Paledinthedarknesscomingoverthem.

HeroicforceflewuplikefoamandvanishedAway.Revenge,youshortenedoftenandsoonTheworkofyourservantsandfetchedthem

Homefromthefightingandtheywerequiet.

Oyou,theimplacableandneverdefeatedWhostriketheunbraveandtheover-mightySothatfromthestrokethewholepoortribe

Willshakeuntothelastgeneration,

You,Nemesis,thecovertkeeperofgoadAndbridle,holder-back,bringer-on,areyouStillpunishingthedead?Orunder

ThelaurelgardensofItalyyou’d

Havelettheoldinvaderssleep.NorhaveyousparedEventheleisurelyshepherdsandherdsmenAndhaven’tthepeoplesbynowdone

Penanceenoughfortheireasefulslumbers?

Whostartedit?Whobroughtthecurse?ItisnotOftodayandnotfromyesterdayandthoseWhofirstlostthemeasure,ourfathers,

Theydidn’tknowandtheirspiritsdrovethem.

Fortoolong,toolong,mortalhumanswithgleeHavetroddenoneachother’sfacesandfoughtTorule,fearingtheirneighbours,andnone

Evenonhisowngroundhasablessing.

AndthisgenerationinfermentasifInChaos,itsunsteadydesiresflitandDriftandtheirpoorlivesarewildandhave

Lostheartandarecoldwithanxieties.

Butyou,MotherEarth,continuequietlyYourfirmcourseinthelight.Youflowerinspring,Outofyourrichlifetheseasonsgrow

Melodicallychanging,andleaveyou.

Oyouthebest-belovedofalltheholyMusesandtheconstellations,longed-forReneweroflife,ohcomenow,Peace

Andgiveusheartandourlivesanabode.

Innocentpeace,ourchildrenarewiserthanUstheireldersalmost,theconflictdoesnotTurntheirgoodnessortheirminds,theyhave

Somejoyandclarityintheirlooksstill.

AndaswithotherspectatorsthejudgelooksWithanearnestsmileontheyoungcontestantsThereonthehottrackforcingfaster

Thechariots,raisingthedustinclouds

SoHelios,thehappygod,standssmilingOverusandisneveralonebuthasTheaether’sblossomingstarsalways

Withhim,dwellingintheirholyfreedom.

Heidelberg

I’velovedyoualongtime.WhatjoyitwouldgivemeTocallyoumymotherandsingofyousimplyWhoareofmycountry’stowns

Therural-loveliestI’veseen!

AsthebirdoftheforestfliesovertheheightsSoovertheriverthatpassesyoushiningThebridgereaches,lightandstrong

Andsoundingwithwheelsandfootsteps.

OnceasthoughsentbygodsanenchantmentfastenedMeonthatbridgeasIcrossedandintothehillsAnduponmethelightof

Thebeckoningdistancesshone

Andtheyouth,theriver,madeforthelevellandSadlyglad.Sotheheart,becomingtoitselfToobeautiful,intime’sflood

Willdive,tobesunkstillloving.

Youhadgivenhim,thefugitive,streamsandcoolShadowsandthebankswereallwatchingashepassedAndtheirprettymirrorings

Quiveredupwardsfromtheripples.

Butintothevalley,downtothebedofit,Hungthevastcastle,crackedbythelightnings,heavyWiththelearningoffate,but

Overtheageingcolossus

TheeternalsunpoureditsrejuvenatinglightEverywherethelivingivyflourishedgreenAndthefriendlywoodlandmade

Arustlingdownoverthefort.

BushesblossomeddowntowhereinthebrightvalleyCleavingtotheslopeorgracingtheriverbanksInamongscentedgardens

Yourcheerfulalleysquieten.

TheGods

Intheaether:stillness.ThishaskeptmysoulFromscathinginitspainandundertheeyesOfHeliostheindignantheart

Oftenwillliftitselftosteadfastness.

Kindgods,wearepoorwithoutyou,amanthenInhissavageselfhasstrifeandnorespiteAndtheworldisblackinhimandno

Joythrivesandnosingingforhimever.

Onlyyouwhoarealwaysyoung,younurtureInheartsthatloveyouachild’sunderstandingAndinanxietiesanderror

Neverletthespiritsaddentodeath.

TheNeckar

InyourvalleystheheartwithinmeawokeTolife,yourwatersplayedaroundmeandofAllthegracioushillsthatknowyou,

Traveller,noneisastrangertome.

OftenonthosehighplacestheairsofheavenReleasedmefromthepainofservitudeandUpfromthevalley,aslifeoutof

Joy’scup,thesilver-bluewaterssparkled.

ThefreshetsofthehillshurrieddowntoyouAndwiththemmyheartandyoutookuswithyouTothequietlymajesticRhine

Downtoitstownsandjovialislands.

Stilltheworldlookslovelytome,myvision,Longingforthebeautiesoftheearth,abscondsTogoldenPactolus,Smyrna’sshore

AndthewoodsofIlium.Ishouldlike

TolandoftenatSounionandconsultThemutepathtoyourcolumns,OlympieumBeforetheyearsandthestormwinds

IntherubbleofAthens,thetemples,

Thegravenimagesofthegods,buryYoutoo,alreadysolongalone,theprideOfalostworld.Andohyoulovely

IslandsofIoniawherethebreeze

FromtheseacoolsthehotshoresandthroughthegrovesOflaurelrustles,wherethesunwarmsthevinesOh,whereagoldenautumnchanges

Thesighsofthepoorpeopletosinging

Whentheirpomegranatesripen,whenthroughgreenNighttheorangesgleam,whenthemasticdripsAnddrumandcymbalsoundandsummon

Thedancerstothelabyrinthinedance.

Toyou,ohyouislands,onedayperhapsmyGuidingangelwillbringmebuteventhereI’llholdmyNeckarwithherwillowed

Banksandhersweetmeadowscloseinmyheart.

TheboatmancomeshomegladtothestillriverFromdistantislandswhenhehasharvested;SoIshouldcomehometoohadIas

MuchgoodharvestedasIhavesorrow.

Dearriverbanks,oncemyfosterers,canyouStillthesorrowsoflove,canyoupromiseme,WoodlandsthatIwasyoungin,whenI

Comebacktoyoumypeaceofmindagain?

ThecoolbeckwhereIwatchedtheripplesplaying,RiverwhereIwatchedtheboatsglidingawayThereI’llsoonbe,thefamiliarhills

Whoweremyguardiansonce,thehomeland’s

Reveredandsafefrontiers,mymother’shouse,Sisterandbrother,theirlovingembraces,Iwillenjoyandthey’llenfoldme

Andswaddlemyheartinhealingbandsfor

Theyhavekeptfaithwithme.ButIknow,IknowThesorrowoflovewillnotbehealedsosoon,Nolullabythataconsoling

Humansingswillsingitawayfromme.

Forthosewholendusheaven’sfire,thegods,Theygiveusthegiftofholysorrrowtoo.Sobeit.I’masonoftheearth

Made,asitseems,toloveandtosuffer.

Forgetyourfriends,ifyoumust,vilifyallYourown,yourpoets,andmayGodforgiveyousuchThanks,butonlyifyouwill

Honourthesoulsoflovers.

FortellmewhereelsenowhumanlifeisaliveSinceallareinthegripofservilecare?ThegodLeftlongago,carelessly

Hestrollshiswaysaboveourheads.

ButjustastheyearisalwayscoldandsonglessAtthedeterminedtimebutoutofthewhitefieldsGreenshootscomethroughandoften

Asolitarybirddoessing

Whenslowlytheforestopens,theriverstirsAlreadythemilderairwaftsinfromthesouthAtthechosenhourandis

Asignofthefairertimesthat

Webelievein,so,likenoneothersufficientLikenoneelsenobleandgood,yetovertheironAndsavagegroundGod’sonly

Begottendaughter,love,willgrow.

Love,heaven’sseedinus,Iwishyouakindearth,Songatyournursing,theclearest,purestairForyournourishmentandsun

Thequickener,soyouripen,

Growandbecomeawoodland,alivelierworldFullyflowering.MaythelanguageofloversBethelanguageoftheland

Theirsoulsthevoiceofthepeople.

Courseoflife

YoualsowantedgreaterthingsbutloveforcesAllofusdownandsorrowbowsusstillharderButnotfornothingandthough

Theybendusbackwherewebegan.

Upordown!AretherenotinthehallowednightwhereNaturedumblypondersthecomingdaysandinCrookedestOrcusalso

Rightthings,thingsthatarestraightandtrue?

SoIlearned.ForneverasmortalteachersdoHaveyou,mydeities,upholdersofallthingsLedme,sofarasIknow,

Withcautiononlevelpathways.

Thegodssaytohumans,TasteeverythingandlearnBythatstrongnourishmenttogivethanksforallthingsAndknowwhatitistobe

Freetoquitandgowhereyoulike.

Parting(secondversion)

Sointendingtopart,thinkingitgoodandwiseWhydidthedoingitshockuslikemurderthen?Howlittleweknowourselves!

Workinginusthereisagod

Whomtobetray,creatorforusatthestartOfsenseandlife,inspiriterandguardianAngelofourlove,only

ThatIdon’thavethestrengthtodo.

WorldlysensehoweverhasotherrulesofwrongPractisesotherstrictservice,anothercodeAnddaybydayconvention

Filchesthelivingsoulfromus.

OhIknewthisalready!SincebetweenthegodsAndhumans,fear,thatdeformity,rootedLoversmustdieandbloodmust

Flowfromtheirheartsinatonement.

Letmebesilent,letmeneveragainviewThiskillingthingbutinpeacemayIgoawayFromhereintoloneliness

Sothepartingstillbeours.

HandmethecupyourselfsothatofthesavingSacredpoison,theLethedrink,IdrinkenoughWithyouandloveandhatred

Willallofitbeforgotten.

Ishallleave.PerhapsalongwhilehenceI’llseeyouDiotimahere.ButdesirebythenwillbeBledwhiteandpeacefullylike

Theblessedasstrangersweshallwalk

Conversationleadingus,pensive,hesitantToandfrountilheretheplaceoftheparting

AlertsourforgottenselvesWarmthcomesintoourheartsagain

Ilookatyouamazed,Ihearvoices,sweetsongsAsfromaformerage,theplayingofaluteAndthelilylifts,fragrant

Golden,overthestreamtous.

Diotima

Youaresilent,yousufferit.TheycannotgraspAlifelivednobly.Youcastdownyoureyes,Silentinlovelydaylight.Youlook

Invainforyourkindredunderthesun,

Thoseroyalpeoplewho,likebrothersandlikeThesociabletopsoftreesinagrove,Enjoyedhomeandtheirlovesonceandtheir

Forever-embracingheavenandwho

Sangintheirheartsandneverforgottheirsource–Imeanthegrateful,theonlyloyalones,Thebringersofjoyintothedepths

OfTartarus,menlikegods,thefreemen,

Gentleandstrong,whoaresoulsbelownowWhomthehearthasweptforsincethemourningyearBeganandthestarsthatwereherethen

Dailyturnustothinkingofthemstill

Andthislamentforthedeadcanneverrest.Timeheals,though.NowthegodsinheavenarestrongAndquick.AndNatureisassuming

Surelyheroldandjoyfulrightsagain.

See,love,itwillhappenbeforeourhillisLevelledandbeforemywordsaredeadthedayWillhavecomewhenyouwillbenamedwith

Godsandheroes,adaythatislikeyou.

Returntothehomeland

Mildbreezes,messengersfromItalyMybelovedriverwithitspoplartreesTheundulatinghills,thesunny

Uplands,herestill,allasyoualwayswere?

Quietplace,youcametomeindreams,faroffAfterhopelessdays,tomeinmylongingYou,myhouse,andyou,thehilltoptrees

Mycompanions,myclosefamiliars.

Howlong,solongago,thechild’speaceofmindHasgoneandgoneareyouthandloveanddelightButyou,mymotherland,holyin

Yourlong-suffering,see,youhaveremained.

AndbecausetheysufferwithyouandwithyouRejoice,dearland,theyareyours,youwatchtheirways,Andindreamsadmonishthemwhenthey

Wanderfaroffandgowrong,unfaithful.

Andwhenintheyouthhisself’sownpassionAndheadstrongdesiringhavecalmedandquietenedFacedbyhisfatethen,clearer,truer

Hegiveshimselftoyoumorewillingly.

Farewellthen,daysofmyyouth,love’srosypathsAndallyoupathsofthetraveller,farewellAndtakeupandgive,oyouhomeland

Heavens,onceagainmylifeyourblessing.

Encouragement(secondversion)

Freespirit,echoofheaven,ourholyHeartener,whyamongthelivingareyouMutenow?Orhavethegodlesssentyou

Downintothenighttosleepforever?

DoesnotthelightoftheaetherwakeandEarth,Oldmother,stillblossomastheyalwaysdid?Andhereandtheredonotthespirit

And,smilingly,lovestillasserttheirlaw?

Andyouwillnot?ButintheheavensthereareRemindersandNature,thequietmakerWhocheersalllifeandfillsthesoul’s

Lungs,breathesonyouasonabarefield.

HopecomesthatsoonnotonlythegrovesoftreesWillsinglife’spraisesfornowitisthetimeWhenfromthemouthsofmenandwomen

Newlyaloveliersoulwillspeak

AndtheelementalliedwithhumankindWillbekinderthen,onlythenwillEarthcomeIntoherrichesinherchildren’s

Thanks,herinfinitegoodnesswillunfold,

OurdayswillagainbelikeflowersandSunIntheheavenswillseehimselfimpartedInthestillpassingoftime,hislight

Joyfullymirroringinthejoyful

AndhewhoruleswithoutspeakingandpreparesUnbeknownstthefuture,thegod,thespiritWillutterhimselfasoncehedid

Inthelovelydaylightinhumanwords.

SungundertheAlps

Holyinnocence,thebestbeloved,theClosesttotheheartofgodsandmen,indoorsOrundertheskywhereyousitatthefeet

Ofthem,theelders,

Wiseandwantingnothing;foralthoughweknowAllmannerofgoodwestarelikebeastsstillOftenatheaven,buthowpuretoyou,pure

Yourself,areallthings.

Lookatthebrutebeastofthefields:itservesYouwillinglyandtrustsyou,thedumbwoodsspeak,Astheydidformerly,theirwordstoyouand

Themountainsteachyou

Holylaws,andwhatevertous,whoareExperienced,thealmightynow,theFather,Letsbemadeclear,onlyyoumayutterit

Shininginnocence.

Tobethusalonewiththegods,lightpassingByandtheriversandthewindandtimethatHurriestoitsend,andyettobesteady-

Eyedbeforethem

Isblessed,Iknownothingmore,norwant,solongAsthefloodthatuprootsthewillowdoesnotTakemetooandImustgowiththewaters

Cradledandsleeping.

WhotrulyhousesGodinhisheartofheartsIscontentathome;infreedomthen,solongAsImayletmesingandelucidate

Thetonguesofheaven.

Thecallingofpoetry

ThebanksoftheGangesheardthejoyfulgod’sTriumphwhenfromtheIndusconqueringallTheyoungBacchuscamewithholywine

Wakingthepeoplesoutoftheirslumbers.

Andyou,theday’sangel,willyounotawakeThosewhoarestillsleeping?Giveusthelaws,giveUslife,Master,prevail,youonly

Havetherightofconquering,likeBacchus.

WhatotherwiseinthehomeoroutbeneathTheopenskyisahuman’sfateandcareWhen,noblerthantheanimals,we

Feedandfendforourselves,notsuchthingsare

Entrustedtothepoet’scareandservice:TheholiestiswhatwearesuitedforThatcloser,forevernewlysung

Thebefriendedheartwillhearandfeelit.

Andyet,oyouheavenlypantheon,allYouspringsandshoresandhillsandgrovesoftreesWherewonderfullyfirstyouseizedus

Bythehairandunforgettably

ThespiritofgodthemakercameoverusSooutoftheblue,sobeyondhoping,ourMindsweredumbasiftouchedbylightning

Andeveryboneinthebodyshook–

Yourestlessdoingsinthewideworld,fatefulFuriousdayswhenthegod,musingforhimselfSteerswhereverthegigantic

Anger-maddenedhorsesbringhim,shallwe

SaynothingofyouandifinusstillplaysThemelodyoftheevertranquilyearWillitnotbeasthoughinidle

DaringachildoftheMasterfingered

Forajokethepureanddedicatedstrings?And,poet,wasitforthisyouheardtheEast’sProphetsandthesingingofGreeceand

Latelythethunderonlytoenlist

ThespirittoserviceandrushthepresenceOfthatgoodandmockandheartlesslydenyThatinnocenceandforagame,for

Money,driveitlikeacapturedcreature

TillgoadedintofuryitremembersItsoriginsandcallssotheMastercomesHimselfandinvolleysoffire

Anddeathevictsthesoulfromyourbody?

ToolongalreadyallholythingsaremadeToserveandforpleasure,ungratefully,aSlygenerationsquanders,exhausts

Thekindforcesofheavenandpresumes

WhenthegodhimselfploughstheirfieldstoknowhimTheLightofDay,theThunderer,anditspiesWithtelescopesandnumbersandnames

Everyoneofthestarsofheaven.

ButtheFathersothatwemaystillabideHereawhile,closesoureyeswithholynight.Hedislikesunrule.Norwillawide

Violenceeverforceheavenopen.

Norisitgoodtobetoowise.WeknowhimBythanking.ButnoteasilyholdingitAlone,gladly,apoet,tolearn

Tohelp,willseekcompanywithothers.

Butfearlessly,ifhemust,themanwillstandAlonebeforeGod,safeinsimplicityAndheneedsnoweaponsandnoguile

NottillGod’sdesertionstacksagainsthim.

VoiceofthePeople(secondversion)

YouarethevoiceofGodsoIoncebelievedInyouth,thatholytime,andIsaysostill.Theriversalsoneverheeding

Ourwisdomriseandroarbutnonetheless

AlllovethemandtheyalwaystroublemyheartWhenIhearthemfaroffvanishingfullofPresentimentnotmywaybutmore

Surelyhurryingoffintothesea.

Forself-forgetting,alltookeentodotheGods’desire,theliving,whowilldie,goingAwhiletheirownwaysopen-eyedwill

Seizetooeagerlythewaythattakesthem

Quickestbackintotheuniverse,thewayTheriver,flungheadlong,seekingrest,istuggedAnddraggedwillynillydownfromone

Fallstothenextwithouthissteeringby

Thewondrouslongingtowardstheabyss,Theitchingtocomeundone,andthisdelightIndyingseizespeoplestooand

Boldcities,whentheyhavetriedtheirbestand

Drivenontheworkyearafteryear,theymeetAholyend,theearthgreensagainandthereInsilenceflatonthesandasif

Atprayerbeforethestarsofitsown

FreewilldefeatedthelongartliesbeforeTheinimitablestars,himselftohonourThehighestwithhisownhandhebroke

Hisworkinpieces,man,themaker,did.

ButthosearenotlessdeartohumanbeingsWhogiveinloveasgoodastheyaregiven

Andoftenslow,tolengthenourtimeEnjoyingthelight,ourtrajectory.

Andnotonlytheeagle,sotheywillnotStayhometoolong,evictsitsyoungfromthenestUslikewisethelordandmasterwith

Agoadforthepurposehedrivesusout.

HappyarethosealreadygonetotheirrestFallingbeforethetime,theyalso,beingLikethefirstfruitsofharvestalso

Asacrifice,hadtheirallocation.

InGreektimesontheXanthusthecitystoodButwentlikethegreatercitiesnowatrestInthatlandthroughaneventoffate

Outofsightoftheholylightofday.

TheydidnotdieintheopenbattlebutBytheirownhands.Whathappenedthere,thehorrorOfitcarriesallthewaytous

Outoftheeastinawondrousstory.

ThekindnessofBrutusriledthem.ForafterFirehadbrokenoutheofferedhimselftoHelpthoughhestoodbeforethecity’s

Gatesasacommander,besiegingit.

ButtheyflungdownfromthewallstheservantsheHadsent.WhereuponthefiregrewlivelierAndtheyrejoicedandBrutusreachedout

Towardsthemwithhishandsandtheywereall

Ecstatic,theyraisedagreatnoiseofcryingAndjubilation.HusbandsandwivesthenflungThemselvesintotheflamesandboyssome

Leaptfromtheroofssomeattheirfathers’swords.

ItisnotadvisabletotestthenerveOfheroes.Thiswaslongprepared.TheirfathersAlsooncebeingattackedandthe

Persianenemiespressingthemhard

Seizingthereedsoftheriver,tobreakoutFree,theysetfiretothecity.AndtheflamesTookuphousesandtemplesflying

Intotheholyaetherandpeople.

SothechildrenhadheardandnodoubtitisGoodtohavestoriesfortheykeepusinmindOfthehighestbutalsoneeded

Arewaysofexplainingtheholytext.

Theblindsinger

ἔλυσεναἰνὸνἄχοςἀπ᾽ὀμμάτωνἌρης.

SOPHOCLES

Light,youthfullight,whereareyouwhoalwaysatThehourofthemorninghavewokenme?Theheartiswakingbutstillina

Holyspellthenightcompelsandkeepsme.

IusedtolovelisteningatthedaybreakForyou,atyourhill,waiting,neverinvainNever,sweetlight,didyourharbingers

Thebreezes,deceiveme,youalwayscame

Inspiritingallthings,cametheusualpathHitherinyourbeauty,ohwhereareyou,light?Againtheheartiswakingbutstill

Theunendingnightcompelsandcribsme.

Formebackthentheleavesputforth,theflowersShoneformelikemyowneyes,notfarawayWerethefacesoftheonesIloved

Theyshoneformeandaboveandaround

ThewoodsIsawthewingsoftheopenskiesPassontheirwanderingsinmyyouthfultime.NowfromonehourtothenextIsit

Stillandalone,andmythoughtsmakefigures

FromtheloveandsorrowofthebrighterdaysFormyowndelightandIhearkenintoThedistanceswhethersomefriendly

Liberatormightperhapscometome.

ThenoftenIhearthevoiceinthethunderAtmiddaywheninbronzeheapproacheswhenHishouseshakesandunderhimtheground

Reverberatesandthemountainsecho.

TheninthenightIheartherescuer,the

Liberator,hearhimkilling,lifegivingInthunderhurryingfromsunset

Tosunriseandafterhimmymusic

Sounds,mysingingcomestolifewithhimandasThestreamfollowstheriver’sthinkinglikewiseImustleaveandfollowhimwhois

Sureofhimselfontheerraticways.

Whereto?Whereto?IhearyoucloseandfurtherAndallaroundtheearthsoundswithyourglory.Wherewillyouend?Andwhat,whatisit

Abovethecloudsandwhatworkinginme?

Day!Day!Youabovecollapsingclouds,youareWelcometome,myeyesopenlikeflowersToyou,oyouthfullight,ohtheold

Happinessagain,morespirited,as

GoldenwatersfromaholycuppourdownAndyou,greenearth,mypeacefulcradle,andyouHouseofmyfathers,you,mylovedones

Withmebackthen,comeclosernow,ohcome

Allofyou,thatthisjoyshallbesharedwithyouAndthemanwhoseesnowgiveyouhisblessing.Ohtakeforme,soImaybearit,

Life,thelifeofthegods,fromoffmyheart.

Poeticcourage(firstversion)

Areyounotkithandkinwitheverylivingthing?DoesnotFateherselfnurtureyouintoservice?Goforwardthenthroughlifeun-

Armedandwithoutanxiety.

Whateverhappens,makeitallablessing,turnIttojoy,forwhatthingistherethatcouldbefallYourheartinsultinglyif

Youaregoingthewayyoumust?

Forasbyaquietshore,inclose,oramongSilverresoundingwavesoroverasilenceOfdepthsofwaterthelight

Swimmerpassessotooarewe,

Thepoetsofthepeople,eagertobewhereLivingthingsmoveandbreathearoundus,glad,disposedToallandtrusting,howelse

Shouldwesingtoalltheirowngod?

AndevenshouldoneofthebravewheretrulyheTrustedbetemptedbythewatersdownandhisSingingvoicefallsilentin

Roomsofdeeperanddeeperblue

Hediedgladandthoseleftlonely,hisgrovesoftreesTheybewailthefalloftheirfavouriteandsheHisfriend,oftenwillhearhis

Singingstillintheleafingboughs.

IntheeveningthenifoneofourkindcomesbyWherethecomradesank,hewillthinkhard,manythings,Atthewarningplaceandsay

Nothingandgomoreprovided.

Poeticcourage(secondversion)

Areyounotkithandkinwitheverylivingthing?AnddoesnotFateherselfnurtureyouinservice?Goforwardthenthroughlifeun-

Armedandbefearfulofnothing.

Whateverhappens,makeitablessing,turnIttojoy,forwhatthingistherethatcouldbefallYourheartinsultinglyif

ForeversincepoetryonabreathofpeaceFirstleftthelipsofhumansandourwords,helpingIngoodandbadtimes,touchedtheir

Heartswithpleasure,sowewhoare

Thepeople’ssingershavelikedtobewheremanyKindsofthelivingmingle,glad,disposedtoallOpentoall;forthisisour

Ancestor’sway,thesungod’s,who

TorichandpoorallowsthecheerfuldaylightandInthehasteningtimesholdsus,whocannotlast,Uprightongoldenleading-

Stringsmuchaswedothechildren.

Himawaits,himalsotakes,whenthehourarrivesHiscrimsontide;seetherenowwherethenoblelight,Adeptatchanging,travels

Equablydownthepathitmust.

SothenletpasswhenitistimeandthespiritNowherestilllacksitsdue,letdiethenalsoinTheseriousnessoflife

Ourjoybut–diebeautifully.

Thefetteredriver

Sleepinganddreaming,youth,wrappedupinyourselfIdlebetweenthecoldbanksinsufferanceHaveyouforgottenyourorigins

SonofOcean,friendoftheTitans?

ThelovingmessengerstheFathersendsyouDoyounotknowthem,thebreezesbreathinglife?Anddoesthewordfromthewakinggod

Outofthebrightnessabovenotreachyou?

Alreadyitsounds,soundsinhisheart,aswhenStillinthelapoftherocksheusedtoplayItbubblesupinhimnow,andnow

Heremembershisstrength,hisforce,nowhe

Whowashesitanthurries,laughsatandtakesThefettersnowandbreaksandflingstheminbitsAngry,soeasy,thiswayandthat

Ontheresoundingbanks,andatthevoice

OfthissonofagodthemountainsawakeAllround,thewoodsstir,thechasmfromfarawayHearstheheraldandinthebosom

Oftheearthjoyshudderstolifeagain.

Springcomes;newgreeneryisdawning;hethoughHasgonehiswaystotheimmortalshavingNowhereheisallowedtobidetill

TheFathertakeshimupintohisarms.

Chiron

Light,thoughtfullight,whereareyou,whoalwaysmustGoasideattimes,whereareyou?MyhearthasAwokenbuttheastoundingnight

Thwartsmeinangerstill.Iusedtogo

Forherbsintothewoods,Iwassoftandshy,Ilistenedbythehillandneverinvain,Neveroncedidyourbirdsdeceiveme

Andalmostalltooeagerlyyoucame

WantingtherefreshmentofmygardenorAfoalormycounselforyourheart,ohlightWhereareyou?Myheartwakesagain

Butstilltheheartlessnightpullsatmehard.

IrememberwhatIwas.TheearthgavemeItsfirstbouquetofsaffron,cornandthyme.Ilearnedunderthecoolstars,atleast

Suchthingsaswecanputanameto.Then

Hecame,theuprightman,thedemi-god,thehindOfZeus,andtookthemagicfromthewildfieldsAndsaddenedthem.NowIsitalone

Fromonestillhourtothenextandmythoughts

MakefiguresfromcloudsofloveandthewetearthForpoisonisbetweenus,andharkintoThedistanceswhethersomefriendly

Liberatormightperhapscometome.

ThenIhearthechariotoftheThundererOftenatnoon,approaching,Iknowhimbest,Hishousereverberatesandtheground

Iscleansedandmypainechoesafterhim.

Ihearmyrescuerinthenight,IhearHimkilling,myliberator,andIpeerAsthoughinvisionsdownattheearth

Luxuriantwithgrowthlikeafiercefire;

Thedayscomeandgo,andwhenonewatchesthem,Thegoodandthebad,andsuffers,whenoneisTwoinshapeandthereisnobody

Atallwhoknowswhatwouldbeforthebest

Thatisthethornofthegodworking,forhowCouldoneloveotherwisedivineinjustice?Thenthegodcomeshomeandsettlesin

Andwearefacetofaceandtheearthischanged.

Day!Day!NowthewillowscanbreatheagainAlongmystreams,anddrink,nowtheeyeshavelightAndthereareproperfootings,andas

Aregent,spurred,localandhome,youshine

Outinyourself,myerrantstaroftheday,Andtheearthalso,apeacefulcradle,shinesAndthehouseofmyfatherswhowere

Notcitizensandwentincloudsofbeasts.

NowtakeahorseandclotheyourselfinarmourAndtakeupthelightspear,child.TheprophecyWillholdandwithitwillappearmy

ReturningHeracles,sowaitedfor.

Heaven’slove,shouldIeverforgetthatloveAndthekindnessofheaven,shouldI…AndyouTheyvisitedwithfireandarefull

Ofashalreadyanddesolateand

Lonely,belovedislandsthatweretheeyesOfthefabledplaces,yousolelynowConcernme,shoreswhereidolatrous

Lovepaidtheprice,butonlytoheaven.

Foralltoogratefullytheyserved,thoseblessedWithlifethereinthedaysofbeautyandTheheroesinarageoflife,andtrees

Inplentyandthecitiesstood,werethere

Tobeseenlikeamaninthesenses;nowTheheroesaredeadandtheislandsofloveAlmostdisfigured.Solovemustbe

Everywhere,foolishandataloss.

OhmaythelightofmyeyesnotbeputoutWhollywithtearsanddeathnotshamemeandletAmemoryliveafterthoughI

Amweaknow,robbedanddeludedbytears.

ToHope

Hope,whoarekindtousandbusyyourselfEveninthehousesofmournersandgoToandfrobetweenuswhodieand

Theforcesofheavengladly,helper

Whereareyou?OverwhatlittlelifeIhadThecoldeveningblowsalreadyandIAmquietastheshadeshere,songless,

Fearfulalready,coldanddeadatheart.

Inavalley,inaverdantplaceofpureSpringwatersdailyrushingforth,wheretheautumnIslovelywithopencrocuses

ThereinthesilenceIwilllookforyou

AndkindnessfromyouthenorwhenatmidnightTheinvisiblelifeamongthetreesmovesAndovermethoseflowersthatnever

Sadden,thebrightstars,areinbloom,ohthen

Dearheaven’sdaughterfromyourfather’sgardensComedownandifnotasaghostoftheearthifThatcan’tbethencomeandwithsomething

Otherstartle,startlemyheartsomehow.

Vulcan

Comenow,friendlyspiritoffire,enfoldInclouds,ingoldendreams,thewoman’sgentleTemperamentandprotecttheflower

Ofquietinherandthelastinglove.

Andtheman,lethimlikehisthoughtsandhisworkAndhiscandlelightandthecomingdayandLetnothisportionofdiscontent

Anduglyanxietybetoogreat

Whennowtheever-angryBoreas,mySwornenemy,overnightfallsonthelandWithfrostandlateatthehourforsleep

Singshiscruelmockeryofhumankind

AndwrecksthewallsofourtownsandthehedgesWesocarefullysetandthegrovesoftreesThisspoilerofallthingsandeven

Inthemakingofversetroublesmysoul

AndwithnorespitehavockingoverthePlacidriveremptieshisblackcloudssothatFarandwidethevalleyseethesandlike

Fallingleavesrocksfallfromtheburstinghills.

PiousmorethanothercreaturesthehumansMaybebutwhenthere’sangeroutsidetheytooLooktothemselves,intheirmeagrehomes

Bidesafeandreflectontheirfreebornstate.

AndalwaysoneofthefriendlyspiritswithHerblessingsliveswiththem,nomatterhowallTheunteachableenergiesrage

Inanger,she,Love,despiteandstill,loves.

Timidity

Areyounotacquaintedwithmanylivingthings?Andwhereyouwalkisitnotcarpetedwithtruth?Gothen,mysoul,intolife

Naked,withoutanxiety.

Whateverhappens,welcometheuseofit,rhymeIttojoy,forwhatthingistherethatcouldbefallYourheartinsultinglyif

SincehumankindlikethegodswhoareasaloneIntheirwayasthewildbeasts,sincepoetryAndtheforemostchoirshaveled

Godsandhumanshomesowethe

TonguesofthepeoplehavelikedtobewheremanyKindsofthelivingmingle,glad,thesametoall,Opentoall;forthisis

Theskygod’sway,ourfather’swho

TorichandpoorallowsthethinkingdaylightandAttheturningofthetimesholdsus,theasleep,Uprightongoldenleading-

Stringsmuchaswedothechildren.

Goodforsomething,usefultosomeone,wealsoArewhocomewithartandofthegodsofheavenBringonein.Butourselveswe

Bringourreadyandablehands.

Ganymede

Sonofthemountains,sleeping,lyingatoddsFreezingbetweenthebarebanks,sulking,patientHaveyouforgottenthegraceyouhad

Atheaven’stables,whentheywerethirsty?

Downheredon’tyouknowtheFather’smessengersNortheairsplayingmoresharplyamongtherocks?Andthewordatravelledmansendsyou,

Theoldbreathingword,doesitnotreachyou?

Oh,nowitsoundsinhisheart!DeepbubblingupInhim,asoncebeforehighamongtherocksWhilehewassleeping,andnow,enraged

Hecleanseshimselfoftheshacklesnow

Nowraces,whoseemedslow,andlaughsattheslag,Takesit,smashesit,castsitinbitsasideDrunkwithrage,easy,thiswayandthat

Onthestaringbanks,andatthisstranger’s

Ownvoicetheflocksleaptotheirfeet,thewoodsStiranddeepintheland,distant,theriver’sBeingisheardandthespiritagain

Shudderstolifeinthenaveloftheearth.

Springcomes.AndeverythingafteritsfashionFlowers.Butheisdistantnow,nolongerthere,Hewandered,forthespiritsareall

Tookind,againhespeaksheavenlylanguage.

Halfoflife

ThelandwithyellowpearsAndfullofwildrosesHangsintothelakeOgraciousswansAnddrunkwithkissesYouplungeyourheadsIntotheholy,thesoberwater.

Alas,forwhereinwinterShallIcomebyflowersandwhereThesunlightandTheshadeoftheearth?ThewallsstandSpeechlessandcold,thewindClatterstheweathervane.

Agesoflife

Euphrates’citiesandPalmyra’sstreetsandyouForestsofcolumnsintheleveldesertWhatareyounow?Yourcrowns,becauseYoucrossedtheboundaryOfbreath,WeretakenoffInheaven’ssmokeandflame;ButIsitunderclouds(eachoneOfwhichhaspeace)amongTheorderedoaks,uponThedeer’sheath,andstrangeAnddeadtheghostsoftheblessedonesAppeartome.

HahrdtNook

ThewoodsinksdownAnd,likebuds,theleavesHanginwards,underthemAgroundbloomsupWiththingstosay.ForthereUlrichWalked.OftenoverthefootprintAlargedestinybroodsReadyattheremainingplace.

Menon’slamentforDiotima

DayafterdayIgooutinsearchofwhatisnotthere,LongsinceIhavequestionedallofthecountry’spaths;

VisitedthosecoolingheightsandallofthoseplacesofshadeAlsothesprings;thespirittreksupanddown,astray

Pleadingforrest;sothedeerwhentheyhithimfleestotheforestWhereatmiddayheoncerestedsafeinthedark.

Nowthatbedinthegreenerysalveshisheartnotatall,Paindriveshimsleeplessandwhimperingtoandfro,

Neitherthewarmthofdaylightnorthecoolofthenighthelps.Uselesstodiphiswoundsintheswirlsoftheriver.

AndjustasEarthoffershiminvainhercheerfulHealingplantsandnobreezequietenshisfeveringblood

Likethat,mydearones,itfeelsinmeandcannooneLiftfrommymindthisdreamofunhappiness?

Nordoesithelpatallwhenoncedeath’sdivinitiesSeizeandtightintheirgraspholdthedefeatedman,

OncethedemonshavehauledhimdownintodreadfulnightThentoseekwaysandmeans,pleadorquarrelwiththem

OrevenpatientlytobideinthefearfulbanishmentHearingthetruthoftheircoldrefrainwithasmile.

Ifitmustbe,forgetyoursalvationandsleepwithoutmusic!Yet,likeaspring,achordrises,hoping,inyou

Still,omysoul,evennowyoucannotaccustomyourself;Deepintheironsleep,hereinthedepthsyoustilldream.

Ihavenofestivetimebutshouldliketobegarlanded;AmInotallalone?Yetsomefriendlythingmust

FromfaroffbenearmesothatIsmileinamazementHereinthemidstofsorrowhowjoyfulIam.

Lightoflove,soevenonthedeadyoushinegolden!Sightsofabrightertimeradiateintomynight?

Sweetgardens,ohwelcomehere,andmountainsreddenedbyeveningAndyou,pathsofthewoodland,nowsilent,whowitnessed

Happinessfitforheaven,andstars,youhighobservers

Backthensooftenwithablessingglancingdownonme.AndyoumyMayday’slovingandbeautifulchildrenQuietroses,andyou,thelilies,oftenIspeakofyoustill.

True,thespringtimespassover,oneyeardisplacesanotherChangingandquarrellingthere,timewitharoarengulfs

Theheadsofthosewhowilldiebutnottheeyesoftheblessed,Andtoloversisgiventhegiftofadifferentlife.

Forthedaysandtheyearsofthestars,theywereallDiotima,unitedaroundus,always,andclose.

ButwecontentedtogetherlikelovingswanswhoareQuietonthelakeorriderockedonitswavesandgaze

Downatthemirroredsilverycloudsinthewater,theblueoftheHighestandpurestskyflowingunderthempassing

SoontheearthwewentourwaysandevenwhenBoreas,Theenemyoflovers,themakerofmourning,threatened

StrippingthebranchesofleavesandhurlingtheraindownthewindWewerequiet,wesmiled,feelingagodofourownin

Ourconversation,ourunisonsouls,andeachwiththeotherWhollyatpeace,likechildren,joyouslyalone.

Butnowthehouseisdesolatetome,theyhavetakenMyeyes,Ihavelostallmyselfwiththelossofher,Iam

AllastraynowandmustsoitseemslikeashadeliveonLongafternothingleftmakesanysensetome.

StillIshouldliketocelebrate–what?–andtosingwithothersButaloneasIamallsenseofthegodshasgone.

Thisitisthatafflictsme,Iknowit,acursethatlamesmySinewsandflingsmedownateverybeginning

SothatIsitalldaywithoutfeelinganddumbasachildandTearsaretheonlyandfrequentsignsoflifeinmyeyes

AndtheflowersofthefieldsandthesingingofbirdsareasadnessBeingthemselvesintheirjoymessengersofthegods

ButinmeinmyfreezinghearttheinspiritingsunshineFlickerscoldandfruitlesslikebeamsofthenight

Ohandanothingness,empty,likewallsofaprison,theheavensLourovermyhead,burdensome,weighingmedown.

Once,ohmyyouth,sodifferentyouwereandwillprayersNotbringyouagainnoranypathleadmeback?

Mustitbeformetooasitisforthosewho,nowgodless,Formerly,lightintheireyes,ateanddrankwiththeblessed

Tillsoontheseover-rapturousguests,beingsatedLosttheirspeechandnowunderthesingingbreezes

UnderthefloweryearthareasleeptillonedaysomeviolentMiracleforcesthem,sunkdeepbelow,toreturn

Andoverthegreeningearth,newly,tofollowtheirlives.Holybreathoftheheavensstreamsthroughtheluminousforms

WhenthefeastisensouledandtidesoflovearestirringSuppingfromtheheavensthenthewatersoflifewillroar

WhenitresoundsdownbelowandthenightdisburseshertreasuresAndthereintherisingstreamsglitterstheburiedgold.

OhbutyouwhoalreadybackthenatthepartingwaysShowedme,dejectedthere,beauty,consolingme

AndwhooncebysilenceandstillnesstaughtandinspiredmeTillIsawgreatnessandsangthegodswithmorejoy

ChildofthegodsyouappearandgreetmenowasyouoncedidSpeakingtome,asthen,ofbetterthanthis?

See,ImustweepbeforeyouandlamenteventhoughallthewhileThinkingofnoblertimes,mysoulisashamed.

Forsolongnow,solong,onthewearypathsoftheearthUsedtoyou,Ihavesoughtyou,lostmyselfandastray

Joyfulguardianspirit,invainandtheyearsrunningoutSincewe,opening,sawaroundustheeveningsshine.

Lady,yourlightupholdsonlyyourselfinthelight,yourSufferingandlovingkindnessupholdonlyyou.

Norareyouevenalone,companionsenoughareTherewhenyouwiththeyear’srosesblossomandrest

AndtheFatherhimselfsendsthegentlebreezes,thesoothingLullabiesoftheMusesbreathingaroundyou.

Yes,stillasshewas,wholly,fromheadtotoe,softlyHeretomeassheoncedidtheAthenianwomanappears.

Friendlyspirit,youreyes,uncloudedbytroubledthinking,Casttheblessingofthelightsurelyonmortallives.

Soyouproveittome,tellittome,sothatI’lltellitToothersonwardsforothersalsodonotbelieve

ThatamorelastinglifethantroubleandangerisjoyAnddailyattheendingstillthereisagoldenday.

Sothen,heavenlypowers,ItoowillgivethanksandatlastPrayersofapoetagainbreathefromalightenedbreast.

AndaswhenIwithherstoodonthesunnyuplandsGivingmelifenowagodspeaksfromwithintheshrine.

SothenItoowilllive,alreadythere’sleafingandfromApollo’ssilvermountainshislyreseemstocallmeon.

Come,itwaslikeadream,thewingsthatwerebleedingarehealedandAllmyhopes,youngagain,nowliftupwithnewlife.

Muchthatisgreat,ohmuch,remainstobefoundandwhoeverLoved,hewillgo,hemust,hispathtothegods.

Andyou,thefirstsolemnandyouthfulvowsofourlove,beOurcompanionsstillandyou,thefirstdawningsonus,

Pleaswemadeforourlove,incomingsofthespirit,allyouGoodangelswholikebeingwithpeopleinlove

StaywithusuntilonagroundthatisourstogetherTherewheretheblessedwillallgladlyreturnandbide

TherewheretheeaglesareandthestarsthatspeakfortheFatherTherewheretheMusesare,whereheroesandloversbelong

StaytillwethereorhereondewyislesareunitedWhereourkindwerefirstblossomingingardensjoined

WherepoemsaretrueandspringsarelovelyforlongerAndfromthestartanewyearofoursoulsbegins.

Awalkintothecountry(forLandauer)

Come,friend,intotheopen!True,verylittleshinesDowntodayandtheheavensshutustightlyin.

NeitherthemountainshavenorhavethetopsoftheforestLiftedasweshouldlike,theairisemptyofsong.

Dullday,thefootwaysandalleysaresleeping.WemightAlmost,thewayitfeels,belivingintheAgeofLead.

Wishesprevailnonetheless,thefaithfulwon’tturnonamomentTodoubters,solettheday’spurposebepleasurestill.

ForwhatwewinfromtheheavensdelightsusgreatlywhenweFirstarerefusedit,then,likechildren,givenitatlast.

Onlyletwhatwewinbeworthourspeeches,ourstriding,Ourfaithandpainsandwhollytruebethejoyinit.

ThereforeI’llevenhopethatifwebeginthethingweWishforandloosenourtonguesandoncewehavefound

WordsandourheartsareliftedandbetterimaginingsLeapfromthesparklingmind,thenwithourflowering

LikewisethefloweringoftheheavenswillstartandshiningDowntheywillopenonusalreadyopenedtosee.

Forthethingweintend,thoughnothingmagnificentDoesbelongtolifeandfeelsbothjoyousandfit.

Alsothosebringersofblessings,theswallows,afewofthemAlwayssoonerthansummerhometotheseparts.

SothenuptherewithspeechestoblessthegroundwhereourhostKnowinghistrade,isbuildinghisguestsahouse

Sotheywilltasteandviewtheloveliest,theland’sabundanceSo,astheheartdesires,open,answeringthespirit

Withfeasting,danceandsong,thatStuttgart’sjoybecompletedForthis,desiringit,weclimbthehilltoday.

LetthelightofaMayday,friendlytohumans,speakofitBetter,explainingitselftoguestswhoareopentolearn

Or,asonce,ifpleasingtoothers,thecustomisancientAndsooftenthegodslookuponuswithsmiles

LetthemasterbuilderspeakhiswordsfromtherooftopWe,aswellaswecould,havedonewhatisourstodo.

Ohbuttheplaceisbeautifulonholidaysinthespringtime

Whenthevalleyliftsup,whenwiththeNeckarcomedownPastureandforest,greening,andallofthegreeningtreesNumberless,blossomingwhite,moveinthecradlingair

Ordownthehillslopesvines,shroudedinwispsofcloudDawnandthriveandwarminthescentedsun.

Stuttgart(forSiegfriedSchmidt)

Hereisafurthergoodfortune.ThedangerousdroughtishealingThescythingedgeofthelightnolongersearsthecrop.

RoomsstandopenagainandhealthisrestoredtothegardensAndrefreshedbyrainthevalleyrustlesandshines

Highwithgrowth,thestreamsenlargeandthewingsthatwereboundDaretoliftupagainintotheregionsofsong.

TheairisfullofthejoyousandthetownandthetreesareEverywherefilledwiththehappychildrenofheaven.

Gladlytheymeetandmingle,flittinghitherandthitherCarelessand,soitseems,nothing’stoolittle,toomuch.

Fortheheartordersitthus,andsotheywillbreatheinafittingGrace,agoodspiritgrantsitthemasagift.

ButthetravellerstooarewellconductedandhaveGarlandsenoughandsongsandthesacredstaffadorned

Fullywiththegrapesandtheleavesofthevineandthefir-tree’sShadows,villageexultingtovillagedayafterday

WhilelikechariotsdrawnbywildfreecreaturesthemountainsLeadthewayandthepathdawdlesandhurriesalong.

Butd’yousupposethatfornothingthegodshaveopenedWidethegatesandmadethewayjoyfulforus?

Orintheirkindnessdonatetothebanquet’sabundanceBerries,honeyandfruitalongwiththewine,invain?

Donateforourfestivesingingthecrimsonlightand,coolandQuiet,thenightforclosertalkbetweenfriends?

Ifsomethingmoreseriousholdsyou,saveitforwinterandifyou’veCourtinginmind,bepatient,May’sthegoodmonthforthat.

Nowsomethingelseisneeded,comenowandcelebratetheancientCustomofautumnthatstillflourishesnoblywithus.

Allourconcernonthisdayisthemotherland,everyoneThrowingtothefestiveflamewhatistheirown.Forthis

OurcommunalgodhasadornedourhairwithrustlinggarlandsAndinthewinedissolves,likepearls,theself’sdemands.

Thatisthesenseofourgatheringlikebeesandattime-honouredtablesEncirclingtheoaktree,tosing;andthatisthesense

Ofthemusicalclinkingofglasses,forthisthechoirforcesTogetherthewildsoulsofthequarrellingmen.

Butsowedon’t,liketheall-tooknowing,allowthisLapsingtimetoescapeusIhurrytomeetyouthere

Onthebordersofthelandwheretheriver’sbluewatersPartroundtheislandandpastthedearplaceofmybirth.

Thegroundisholytome,bothriverbanks,alsotherockThatwithhouseandgardenrisesgreenfromthewaves.

Therewemeet.Ohlight,friendlylightwhereinthebeginning,Touchingmecloser,oneofyourrayshithome.

Therelife,solovely,sodear,beganandbeginsnowagain.But,seeingmyfather’sgrave,shallIgreetyouwithtears?

Tears,thoughIhaveandamholdingmyfriendandhearingthewordsThatoncewithheavenlyarthealedlove’ssorrowinme.

Otherthingswake!Imustnamehimthecountry’sheroesBarbarossa,andkindlyChristoph,youtoo,andyou

Conradin,asyoufell,thestrongfall,theivyisgreenOntherockandbacchanticleavescoverthecastle

ButpastthingslikethingsofthefutureareholytopoetsAndintheautumndaysweplacateourshades.

SowiththemightyinmindandtheirfatesthatliftuptheheartDeedlessourselvesandslightandyetbytheblueofheaven

Lookedupon,evenus,andpious,liketheancientpoetsraisedForjoybythegods,injoywestridethroughtheland.

Largeallaroundisthecomingintobeing.ThereinthefarthesthillsMuchyouthfullifebeginsanddescendstheslopes.

SpringsrushdownfromthereandahundredindustriousstreamsDescendbydayandbynightandlabourtheland.

ButtheMasterhimselfploughsthemiddleofthecountry,theriverTheNeckar,drawsthefurrows,drawsdowntheblessings.

AndtheairsofItalycomewithhim,theseasendshercloudsShesendsmagnificentsunstoaccompanyhim.Soitis

ThatthevastabundancegrowsalmostoverourheadsforhitherTothelevelgroundthegoodnesswasbroughtmorerichly

Tomydearones,myhomeland’speople,butnoneonthehillsthereEnviesthemthegardens,thevineyards,theluxuriant

GrassandthefieldsofcornandtheshiningtreesthatLiningthewaysarchoverthetravellers.

ButwhilewelookaboutusandpassthroughtheabundantjoyThepathandtheday,asthoughweweredrunkonthem,flee.

Foralreadythetown,far-famed,andluminousnowWreathedintheholygreenliftsupherpriestlyhead.

StandsthereinsplendourandholdsupthefirandthevinestockHighintothecrimsonandblissfulclouds.Begracious

Sovereignofthehomeland,tous,theguestandtheson!Stuttgart,intoyourhappiness,welcomethestranger,myfriend!

Always,soIbelieve,youhaveencouragedthemusicOfflutesandstrings,theinnocentchatterofsongs

SweetforgettingoftoilinmindsstillawakeandattentiveAndwillinglythereforeyou’llgladdentheheartsofpoets.

Butyou,thegreaterpowers,youalso,wholiveandmoveForeverinjoy,whomweknowoforwhen,morestrongly,

Inholynight,omnipotent,rulingalone,youworkandcreateAndraiseupapeoplebeginningtosenseafuture

TilltheyoungremembertheeldersaboveandbeforeyouComeofage,standsathinkinghumanity,shining–

Angelsofthehomeland,ohyoubeforewhomeventhestrongestSightfailsandwhosounsteadythesolitaryman

Hemustholdontofriends,dearfriends,andbeseechthemTobearwithhimalltheburdenofhappiness

OhyouinyourkindnessIthankyouforhimandtheothersWhoallaremylifeamongmortalsandallIpossess.

Butthenightiscoming.LetushurrytocelebratetheautumnThisday,ourheartsarefullbutourlivesareshort

AndwhattheheavenlydayhasenjoineduponustospeakofForthatnaming,dearfriend,thetwoofuswillnotsuffice.

Iwillbringyouexcellentpeople,thefireofjoywillleaphighAndthemoredaringwordswillbeutteredmoreholily.

See:theirpureselves!AndthefriendlygiftsofthegodthatweshareOnlyamongthelovingdotheybecomewhattheyare.

Otherwisenot–ohcome,ohmakeittrue,forIamAloneandwillnoonetakethedreamfrommymind?

Come,mydearones,offeryourhandsandletthatbeenoughButthelargerdelightswesaveforthechildren’schildren.

BreadandWine(forHeinse)

Townrestsnow,allaround,thelitstreetsquietening;Carriagesleaveinaflareoflampswitharush.

Fullofawholeday’shappinesspeoplegohometotheirrest;Shrewdmenweighprofitandlosses

Pleasedathome;emptythebustlingmarketstandsOfgrapesandflowersandrestsfromworksofthehand.

Distantlythoughthereismusicfromgardens,perhapsSomeoneinloveisplayingoralonelyman

Thinkingofdistantfriendsorhisyoungdays;theunfailingFountainscomewitharushthroughgreenery,sweet.

Soflytherungbellsringontheduskyairandthewatchman,Mindfuloftime,callsoutthecountedhours.

NowcomesastirthroughtheairandtroublesthetreetopsAndsee,ourearth’sshadower,themoon

Comestoonow,stealingin,thenightcomes,passionatenightFullofstarsandnotmuchconcernedaboutus,

Theastonishingnight,theforeigneramonghumans,liftsOvermountains,sadly,inglory,shining.

Wonderfulhergoodnesstous,fromsohigh,andnooneKnowswhatshecausesinhimnorwhen,thus

Movingtheearthandthehopefulsoulinpeople.Eventhewisecannotfathomher,God

Willsit,theHighest,wholovesyou,andso,evenmorethanSheis,daytimeisdeartoyou,sunlit.Still

EvenacleareyelovestheshadowssometimesandmaytrySleepsoonerthanneedbe,forpleasure.

Andatriedandtrustedmanmaybegladtolookintothenight.Trulyitisrighttoofferherwreathsandsongs

Sacredassheistothestraysandthedead,herself,Freestinthespirit,abidingeternally.

ButshemustgrantusalsolestinthehesitanttimeHereinthedarkwehavenothingtograsp

Thegiftofforgettingandmerriment,drunkandholy,Grantusthebabblingword,likelovers,

Sleepless,refillingthecup,andbolderlives,Holymemorytoo,towakeandwatchatnight.

Also,whysmothertheheartinus,why,forwhatreasonHoldbackourmettle,mastersandboys,forwho

Shouldpreventit,whowouldprohibitusjoy?God’sfireitselfisdrivingusdayandnight

Toleave.Socome,letusfaceintoopenness,Seekoutathingthatisours,farasitmaybe.

Thismuchiscertain:beitatmiddayorshoulditReachintomidnightameasureremains

Commontoall,buttoeachisduealsohisownTogoforandcometowhereverhecan.

JubilantmadnessridesoverridiculewhenitSeizesthesingers,themakers,inholynight.

So!TotheIsthmus,come!TherewheretheopenseasingsAroundParnassusandrockyDelphiissnow-lit,

IntothelandofOlympus,ontotheheightsofCithaeron,Inamongthepines,inamongthegrapesfromwhere

TheriversIsmenusandTheberushthroughthecountryofCadmusFromwhereandpointingbacktherethecominggodcomes.

Greece,blessedland,thehouseofalltheimmortals!See,whatweheardinouryoungdaysistrue.

Hallforafeast,whoseflooristheoceanandtablesthemountainsTrulyforuniqueusebuiltaeonsago!

Butwherearethethronesandthetemples,wherearethevesselsBrimmingwithnectar,thesongsdelightingthegods?

Wherearethewordsnowthatlighten,travelandstrike?Delphisleeps,whereisthereacoming,theroar

Ofjoybreaking–where?–overus,quickly,throughallthingsThunderingoverthevisionfromsunnyair?

Father!theycried.Lordoflight!AndflungitfromtonguetotongueThousandfold,nooneborelifealone,

SuchgooddelightsbestdealtoutandswappedwithstrangersBecomingadinofjoy,sleepingtheword’spowergrows,

Father!Light!Itsoundstothelimitsofreaching,theancientSign,fromparenttochild,comesdownandstrikesandquickens.

Forsotheycomein,thegods,shakingtheheartarrivesThusfromtheshadowsdownamonghumanstheirday.

Theircomingatfirstisnotfelt,thechildrenStriveatthem,joycomestoobrightly,itblinds,

Humansareshyofthem,evenademigodhardlyKnowswhotheyarebynameapproachingwithgifts.

Butthemettlefromthemisgreat,theirjoysfillhisheartFullbutwhattodowithsuchgoodhehardlyknows,

Makeswithit,wastes,theunholybecamealmostholyTouchedbyhishands,likeafool,tobless,togive.

Awhile,aslongastheymay,theimmortalsallowthis,thenComeintruththemselvesandhumansgrowusedtojoy

Andthedayandtoseeingtheiropenfaceswhosename,Ancientandstill,isOneandAllandwho

FathomthecoreoftheheartwithaliberalcontentmentAnswering,firstandalone,happilyeverywant.

Sohumansare:whenthegoodisthereandwithgiftsagodTendsthemhimself,theyneitherknownorseeit.

Firsttheymustbearit,nowwhattheylovetheyname,Nowforitwordsmustcomeintobeinglikeflowers.

Nowinearnesttheythinktohonourtheblessedgods,Really,truly,allthingsmustspeaktheirpraise.

Nothingmustseethelightuglyforgodstolookat,Halfheartedthingsarenotfittobeunderthesky.

SotostandwellinthepresenceoftheheavenlygodsInsplendidordersthepeopleofaplacearise

WithothersandbuildthelovelytemplesandcitiesSteadyandnoble,theyliftupovertheshores–

Butwherearetheynow?Theflower,thecrownsofthefeast?ThebeshasfadedandAthens,andistherenolongertherush

OfweaponsandtheraceinOlympiaofgoldenchariots?AndaretheshipsofCorinthnolongergarlanded?

Andwhyaretheysilenttoo,theancient,sacredtheatres?Andnomoredance,thejoyousdanceforthegods?

Whywillagodnolongermark,astheyoncedid,amanAndastoundhim,pressingthestamponhisbrow?

OrhecameevenhimselfandtookontheshapeofamanAsacomforterendingandshuttingtherevelsofheaven.

Butfriend,wehavecometoolate.ItistruethegodsliveButoverourheads,aboveinanotherworld.

WorkwithoutendthereandseemtocareverylittleWhetherwelive,somuchandsowelldotheyspareus.

Thevesselisweakandcannotalwayscontainthem,Onlyattimescanhumanitybearthegods’fullness.

Lifeisadreamofthem,after.ButwanderingsHelp,likesleep,andneedandthenightgivestrength

Tillinthebrazencradleheroesenoughhavegrown,Heartsofastrength,astheywere,tobelikethegods.

Theycomeinthethunderthen.MeanwhileitseemstomeoftenBettertosleepthanbesowithoutcomrades

WaitingthusandwhattodointhemeanwhileandsayIdon’tknownorwhybeapoetindeadtime?

Buttheyare,soyousay,likethewinegod’sholypriestsWhowanderedfromlandtolandinholynight.

See,whenawhileago,tousitseemslong,theyAllascendedwhowerethejoyofourlives

WhentheFatheravertedhisfacefromthehumanraceAndgrieving,rightly,setinontheearth

Whenatthelasthadappearedacomforter,quietly,Agod,announcingtheendoftheday,andvanished,

ThenforasignthatoncetheywerethereandwouldcomeagainSomedaythechoirofimmortalsleftgifts

Whichinourhumanwaywecan,asbefore,enjoy.Hereamonghumans,thegreaterthing,joywiththespirit,

Wouldbetoomuch,forsuchjoy,thehighest,welacktheStrengthstill,butthankslives,alittle,quietly.

BreadisthefruitoftheearthbutisblessedbythelightAndfromthethunderinggodcomesthejoyofwine.

Thus,havingthem,wethinkofthegodswhowereonceHereandwillbeagainwhenthetimeisright.

Singerssingforthatreasoninearnestthegodofwine,Theancientgod,theydevisehimringingpraises.

Yes,theyarerighttosayhereconcilesdayandnight,Leadsthesky’sstarsforeverinsettingandrising

AlwaysmerrylikethegreenoftheevergreenpineWhichhelovesandthegarlandhechoosesofivy

BecauseitlastsandevenintothedarknessfetchesDowntothegodlessatraceofthevanishedgods.

WhattheancientsongsforetoldofthechildrenofGod

Isus,weareit:thefruitofHesperia,Exactlyfulfilled,awonder,onhumankind,asitseems.Proveandbelieve!Butsomanythingshappen,

Nothingcanwork,forwearetheshades,heartless,tillourFatherofLightisknownandbelongstoall.

ButinthemeanwhilethesonoftheHighest,theSyrianComesasthetorchbearerdownamongtheshades.

Thewiseareaware,theblessed;theimprisonedsoulShines,smiles;thawoftheeyes,tothelight.

Titandreamsandsleepsmoregentlyinthearmsoftheearth,Cerberuseven,spitefulCerberus,drinksandsleeps.

Homecoming(formyfamily)

IntheAlpsitisstillbrightnightandintherecloud,Dreamingupjoyfulthings,coversthevalleymouth.

Allwaysisflungandfallsthejestingairofthemountain,Downthroughfirstheabruptlightflashesandfades.

Slowhaste,coldshiversofjoy:Chaosisworking,Younginshapebutstrong,revelsinlovingstrife

Underthescarp,itferments,itreelsintheeternalconfines,Morningiscomingup,God’sdancersarerising.

ForthefundsoftheyeararedeepestinthereandtheholyHours,thedays,orderedandmixedmoreboldly.

Butthestormbirdwatchestime,betweenmountainsHighintheairheholdssteadyandcallsouttheday.

Nowtoo,deepinthedepths,thevillagehaswokenandlooksFearlessly,trustingtheheights,upfromunderthepeaks,

Scentinggrowth,foralready,likelightnings,theancientwaterSourcesaretumbling,theground,undertheirbeating,steams.

Echoresounds:bydayandbynightameasurelessWorkofdonationcomesforthfromthehandsofthatplace.

Lightmeanwhilerestsonthesilveryheightsoverall,Uptheretheshiningsnowisalreadystrewnwithroses.

Higherstill,overthelight,thegod,inhisclarity,Livesandhislucidjoyliftsontheplayofitsrays.

Hislifeisaloneandstill,hisfaceshinesbrightly,heseemsLeaningtolenduslifeoutofhisheightsofsky,

Creativeofjoy,withus,asoftenwhen,knowingthemeasure,Sparingus,holdingoff,knowingourlimitofbreath,

Hesendsthecitiesandhousesawellshapedfortune,Mildrainstoopentheland,teemingcloudsandthese

Familiarbreezesandsuchsweetspringtimesasthis,Slowlyhishandsliftingupmournerstowardsjoyagain,

Whenhe,themaker,renewsthetimesandre-entersFreshlyheartsinthestillnessofageingandworks

Downanddownandopensandbrightens,whichisWhathelovesandalifestartsagainhereandnow,

Grace,asitoncedid,blossomsandintoourpresentcomesSpirit,andcourageandjoyriseonwingsagain.

Isaidmanythingstohim,forwhateverpoetsThinkandsingismostlytheangels’andhis;

AndIaskedmanythingsformycountrytokeeptheSpiritfrombefallingussuddenlyandunasked;

Alsoforyou,manythings,whoinmycountryareanxious,Whowelcometheexileshomesmilingwiththeirdebtofthanks,

Peopleofmyland,foryou.Iwaslulledbythelake,theboatmanSatinthesternathisease,laudingourprogress.

OverthelevelsofthelakeonejoyousmovementextendedUnderthesailsandnowthereinthedaybreakthetown

BlossomsandbrightensforthandfromundertheshadowyAlps,Beingledin,theboatentersandrestsintheport.

Theshoresherearewarmandtheopenandwelcomingvalleys,Beautifullylitbypaths,facemeinshimmeringgreen.

Gardensaregroupedtogether,brightbudsarestarting,Birdsongexcitesinamanloveoftheopenroad.

Everythinglookswellknown,thehurriedgreetinginpassingSeemsafriend’sandthefacesallseemfamiliar.

ThisisthegroundIwasbornin,thegroundofmyhome,Whatyouarelookingforhurriestomeetyouhere.

AndatravelledmanstandslikeasoninadinOfwavesatthegate,staringandseekingnames

Fairenoughforyou,insongs,andcallingyoublessedLindau,oneoftheland’swelcomingdoorsthatleadus

Outwherethedistancespromisesomuch,wheretheWondersare,whereGod’swildanimal,theRhine,

BreakneckoutoftheheightscomesdowntothelevelsAndthevalleywithashoutshowsfromamongtherocks–

ToenterthereandtostridethebrightmountainstowardsComoOrfollowthedaylightdownthelengthoftheopenlake.

ButthroughthatdoorwhichissacredtomeIambeckonedHomeonfamiliarroadsunderblossomingtrees

TovisitthelandandthelovelyvalesoftheNeckar,Thewoods,thegreensanctum,oaksandthetranquil

BirchesandbeechestogetherinacompanywhereAmonghillsaplacelovinglycapturesme.

ThereI’mreceived.Mymother,thetown,whentheyspeakTouchandawakenthingslearnedbytheheartlongago.

Stillthesamethings!Ohmylovedones,thesunlightandjoyFlowerforyoustillandyoureyesalmostneverwerebrighter.

Allasitwas,thrivingandripening,butnothingThatlivesthereandloveslosesitsloyalty.

Meanwhilethebest,tobefound,islyingbeneathGod’sbowofpeace,putbyforyoungandold.

Ispeaklikeafool.Joymakesme.TomorrowandwhenweVisitthelivingfields,outside,infuture,

UnderthetreesinblossomintheholidaysofthespringtimeMorewillcometomethen,manythings,manyhopes,

Dearest,thethingsIhaveheardoftheFatherwhomIFellsilentabout,whofreshensthewanderingtimes

Highintheheights,theAlmightywhorulesabovemountains,Soonhewillgiveusheavenlygiftsandcallforth

Brightersongandthemanyspiritsweneed.Ohcomesoon:Holdus,liftus,comenow,angelsoftheyear,andyou,

Angelsofthehouse,andintotheveins,intoalloflife’sveinsEnterandheavenbreakoverallandmakenobler,

YoungerandnothingthatishumanandgoodandnotanyHourofthedaybewithoutcheerfulangelsandalso

Joysuchasthiswhenlovedonesarefoundagain,Suchasisfittingforthem,hallowedasitoughttobe.

Blessingourbread,whomshallInameandwhenweRestfromthelifeoftheday,howshallIofferthanks?

BynamingtheHighest?Agodwillnotlikeourmistakes.Tograsphimourjoyisalmosttoosmall.

Oftenweareboundtobesilent,welackholynames,Heartsbeatyetspeechlagsbehind.

ButmusicmaylendanyhouritstonesandpleasesGodsperhaps,shouldtheybedrawingnear.

Letushavemusicthen,andwiththattheworryIsalmostsoothedthathadenteredamongourjoys.

Worriesofthiskind,willinglyornot,intheirsoulsPoetsmustbear,andoften,butotherstheyneednot.

TheArchipelago

Arethecranescominghometoyou?AretheshipsResumingtheircoursetoyourshores?DobreathsofthebreezesWelongedformoveonyourquietenedwaves?Doesthedolphin,Luredfromthedepths,sunhisbackinthedaylightagain?IsIoniainflower?Isittime?InspringWhenthelivingtakeheartandtheirfirstloveRevivesandthememoryofgoldentimesthenalwaysYoudrawme.Icome.Isaluteyou:age-oldandsilent.

Youliveasyouwere,unlessened,themountainslendyouShadetoliein,youembracewiththearmsofayouthstillAbeautifulland,andofallyourdaughters,Father,Ofallthefloweringislands,notonehasbeenlost.CretestandsandgrassySalamisandDelosliftsfromamongDarklaurelsspikedwithlightateverydawnHerecstaticheadandTenoshasandChiosPurplefruitsinabundance,ondrunkenhillsTheCypriandrinkwellsupandfromoffCalauriasilverStreamsfall,astheyalwaysdid,intothesea,theirfather.Alllivestill,allthemothersofheroes,theislands,Floweringfromyeartoyear,andthoughtheabyssletlooseSometimesaflameinthedark,anethertempest,andseizedOneholdandshediedandsankinyourcherishinglap,Youlasted,formuchhasgonedownandRiseninyourdepthsandyourdarkness,sea-god.

AlsothegodswhoinhabittheheightsandthestillnessFaroff,andwhobringwiththelargesseofpowerSleepandthecheerfuldaylightanddreamingthoughtsOvertheheadsofsentientmen,theyarewhattheywere:Yourcompanions,andoftenwheneveningfallsAndoverthemountainsofAsiatheholymoonlightLiftsandthestarsencounterthemselvesinyourwavesYoushineasifitwereheavenlightingyouUnderthetravellingstarsandyourwatersswitchandyourbrothers’Lullabyaboveechoesfromyourlovingheart.Thenwhenthelightcomes,staroftheeast,thewonderworker,Whenthedaystarcomesandilluminatesallthings

AndthelivingbegintheirlivesinthegoldendreamThatthesun,likeapoet,presentsthemwithdailyForyouinyourgriefhismagiciskinderstill,Kinderthanhislight,evenmorebeautifulIsthewreaththathestill,ashealwaysdid,foratoken,Rememberingyou,windsinyourwintryhair.Heaven,clearblue,bendsoveryoustillandreturnsOutoftheheightsyourcouriers,theclouds,withthegods’gift,Lightning,andoverthelandyoudespatchthem,thewoodsOnshore,whereitburns,reelintherainandwithyouBillowandroarandsoon,likeasongoneastrayWhenhisfathercalls,theMaeander,streaminginthousands,TearsfromitstwistsandturnsandCaysterrunstoyouOvertheflatswithlaughterandtheelder,thefirstborn,Toolonghidden,yourNile,inmajestynowStridesfromthemountainousdistance,tall,likeatriumphClangingwithweapons,homesickandreachingforyou.

Stillyouthinkyourselflonely.RocksinthedumbnightHearyougrievingandoftenthewingedwavesfly,Angered,awayfromhumansatheaven.Youmissthem,thelovedones,thenoblecompanyWhohonouredyouonceandwreathedyourseaboardsWithcitiesandbeautifultemples.TheholyelementsAlwaysmustseekandpinefor,likeheroesforlaurels,Heartstobecrownedin,theheartsofafeelinghumanity.

Say,whereisAthensnow?Oh,grievinggod,hasyourcity,Theoneyoulovedbest,thatreachedfromyoursacredshores,Collapsedunderashentirelyandburiedevenhergraves?Orarethereremains,mightasailor,Passing,rememberhernameandcallhertomind?Weretherenotcolumnsonce,risenup,anddidnotThefiguredgodsshinedownfromthecitadelroof?AndtheturbulentvoiceofthepeoplemurmuredLouderoutoftheAgora,thestreetshurrieddownThroughtheboisterousgatestoyourportfullofblessings.Lookwherethetrader,thinkingintothedistance,Loosedhisshipwithawill,theflightedbreezesBlewforhimtooandthegodslovedhimlikethepoetsForbalancingtheearth’sgoodgiftsandjoiningnearandfar.DistantCyprusdrewhimandTyreandhereachedAshighasColchisanddowntheseatooldEgypt

WinningcrimsonandfleecesandcornandwineForhome,forhiscity,andoftenbythewingsofhisship,Byhishopes,hewascarriedthroughthepillarsofrecklessHercules,outtonewblessedisles–butmeanwhileDifferentlymoved,ayouthsataloneontheshoreofthetown,Listenedtothewaves,aloneinagraveenquiry,ListenedandsatatthefeetofPoseidon,Themaster,thebreaker,andlearnedfromthegodwhatwasneeded.

ForPersia,hatingthespiritandlordovermillions,Yearafteryearhasstockpiledweaponsandslaves,LaughingatthelandofGreeceandthefewlittleislands,Thinkingthemchild’splay.HeunderstandsslavesbutnotPeoplewithlives,whosespiritthegodshavearmoured.Givesthewordcarelessly:likefluidfromEtnaTippedwhenitseethesandspreadinginfearfulstreamsAndburningincrimsonthecitiesandtheflowergardensAndenteringtheshockofthesacredseaasariveroffire–SowiththeKinginagloriousriotthehordesrundown,Scorchingandmurderoustocities,fromEcbatana.Athens,thebeautiful,falls.OldmenLookbackamonglisteningbeastsfromthehillsInflighttothehomesandbegfortheburningtemples,NorcanthesonsarousetheholyasheswithprayerEveragain.Deathontheplain.TowardsheavenFirecloudsvanish.ToreapmoreofthecountryHotinthefacetheladenPersianspass.

OffSalamisthen,ohthatdayoffSalamis!WaitingfortheendthewomenofAthens,thegirls,Stand,andthemotherswithchildren,saved,intheirarms,Listening:thevoiceofthegodinthesea,deepdown,Riseswithhopeandpromise,thegodsintheskyLookdown,weighingtheverdict.Forthere,offtheshakenlandSincedawn,likeaslowlymanoeuvringstorm,Thebattlehasswung,onfrothyseas,andnoonstrikesIntotheangerunnoticed,exactlyabovethefighters.Andnowthemenofthecity,childrenofchildrenofheroes,Facemorebrightly,theyarethegods’favourites,theissueIstheirs,theythink,andthechildrenofAthenswon’thaulTheirspirit,thatspitsatdeath,inyet.Forsandmaybequenchingtheprey’slostbloodbutStill,alasttime,itrises,flushedwithanoblerstrength,

Andsetsbackthehunter–likethat,intherowofarms,Orderedbymasters,gatheredinafury,thewildEnemyevenastheyfallrecoversomesoul.Fightingflaresupagain,likewrestlingmenTheshipsseizehold,therudderswingswiththeswell,Plankingbreaksastheystruggleandsailorsandshipssink.

Sungsillybytheday,dreamingavanishingdream,TheKingrollshiseyes,grinningallaskewattheoutcome,Threatens,begsandrejoices,sendsmenoutlikelightning.Hesendstheminvain.Noonecomesback,butThunderous,vengefulwavespitchwithoutnumberBloodymessengers,shipsthathaveburstandthearmy’scorpsesAthisfeetwherehesitsenthroned,bytheshakenshore,thepauper,Eyesontherout,andtherabbleinflightdraghimwiththem,Hebolts,thegoddriveshim,overthewatersthegodDriveshislostsquadronsandjeersandhassmashedhisshowTobitsandfoundouttheweaklingunderthearmour.

LovinglybacktothewaitingabandonedriverComethepeopleofAthensanddownfromthehomeland’smountainsTheshiningcrowds,meetinglikewaters,replenishTheemptiedplainwithjoy.ButlikeamothergrownoldAfteryearswhenthechildshethoughtlostcomesHometoherbosomalive,ayoungman,butmeanwhileHersoulhasfadedingriefandthejoycomestoolate,Hopinghastravailedher,whatherecounts,Herlovingandthankfulson,shecanhardlyseize–HomeappearsthustothepeopleofAthensreturning.Theylookforthedeargods’groves,theylookwithoutfinding.Comingasvictors,whereisthegatetoreceivethemThatwelcomedthewandererwithopenarmswhenhecameHomefromtheislandsandlookedupwithlongingandsawMotherAthene’scitadelshiningahead?Buttheyknowtheirstreetswhentheyseethem:desolate,Gardensinmourning.IntheAgorathen–TheStoa’scolumnsareproneandthegods’Statuesfacedown–theytakehandsandobeyingtheirhearts,Trustingtolove,renewtheircitizenship.AndamangoeslookingforhouseandhomeandfindsthemUndertherubble;hiswife,thinkingoftheheartofthehouseWheretheyslept,weepsinhisarms;thechildrenAskisthetabletherewheretheysatinthefamily

Order,watchedbytheelders,thesmilinggodsofthehousehold.Now,though,thepeoplemakethemselvestents;neighbourhoodsFormastheywereandaftertheheart’sowncustomtheairyHousesconsortontheslopesoftheroundofhills.Sointhemeanwhiletheylive,liketheancients,thefreemenwho,Sureoftheirstrengthandtrustingthecomingday,LikemigrantbirdstravelledfrompeaktopeakSinging,theforest’slords,thelordsofthetrekkingriver.MotherEarthenfolds,asshealwaysdid,steadyinherlove,HerpeopleagainandundertheholyskyTheyhavequietnightsandmildlythebreezesofchildhoodWaftoverthesleepers,themurmurofIlissusComesthroughtheplanestothemandatnightthewavesofthesea-god,Promisingnewdays,whisperingofnewdeeds,comesOutofthedistancewithcheerfuldreamsforhisfavourites.Flowershavesprungupagain,littlebylittle,andbloomGoldenonthetrampledfieldsandbelievinghandsHavegreenedtheoliveagain,andthehorsesofAthensPastureasbeforeinpeaceonColonusmeadows.

HonouringMotherEarthandthegodofthewavesNowthecityflowers,becomingawonder,starlike,Foundedfirmly,theworkofthespiritthatputsongladlyFettersofloveandinshapesofitsownlargemakingRemainsitselfandistheperpetualmover.Andthetreesservethemanasheworks,PentelicusAndeveryneighbourlymountainoffershimmarbleandore.Living,asheis,theworkleaveshishandsLikespring,fullofjoy,andsplendidandlightassunshine.Drinking-fountainsariseandoverthehillsinpureChannelsspringwaterhurriestotheshiningbasin;DwellingsshineinarowallaroundlikebanquetingheroesPassingthecommoncupandthehighPrytaneumRises,gymnasiaopentotheairandthegods’Templescomeintobeing,likeaboldandholyThoughtfromtheblessedgroveintotheaethertheOlympieumClimbstowardsthedeathlessgods,andotherheavenlyhalls,MotherAthena,yourstoo,yourglorioushilloutofgriefGrewwithagreaterprideandfloweredforyearsand,Godofthewaves,yourfavouritessanginahappyGatheringfrequentthankstoyouontheheadlandagain.

Wherearethechildrenofhappinessnow,thebelievers?

Homewiththedistantfathers,theirgreatdaysforgotten,StrollingbyLethe,andlongingwon’tbringthemBackintosight,youwillneverappearOnanyofthethousandpathsofthefloweringearthLikegods,whereverthesearchgoes,andI,whomyourlanguageReachedandthelegendofyou,mustIgrieveandgrieveAndmysoulgodowntoyourshadesbeforeitstime?Letmeneareratleast,whereyourgrovesarestillgrowingAndthegods’ownmountainhidesitssorrowincloud,LetmecometoParnassus,letmywanderingsendWithasightofCastaliasparklingthroughthedarknessofoaksAndtherefromascentedandblossomingbowlIwillpourWater,withmytears,onthegrowthofnewgreenandtoyou,Asleep,shallbegiventheduesofthedead.Thereinthesilencedvale,inTempe,underthecliffsIwilllivewithyouandcallupyourgloriousnamesHeretomeinthenightandwhenyouappearinanger,Ploughshavingrapedyourgraves,withthevoiceoftheheart,Singingitslove,IwillsootheyourshadowylivesAndmysoulwillaccustomitselftolivingwithyou.LikeapriestIwillquestiontheholydeadbutQuestionthelivingtoo,thehighpowersofheavenThatpasswiththeiryearsandyearsaboveourruins,Secureintheircourse,foroftenunderthestarsLikefreezingwindsdistractionassaultsmyheartAndwhereshallIlookforcounsel?ThecomfortingVoiceinDodona’soakwasstoppedlongago,AtDelphithegodisdumbandthepathsareemptyAndwildwhereonce,beingledbyhishopes,Aquestioningmanclimbeduptotheprescienttown.Butaboveusthelight,thelightstillspeakstomankind,Fullofbeautifulpointers,thethunderinggodCriesdowethinkofhimandthegrievingwavesofPoseidonEchoitback:dowethinkofhimeveraswedid?Forgodsaregladtoreposeonafeelingheart;Theinspiringpowers,gladlyastheyalwaysdid,GowithouraspirationsandoverthemountainsofhomeRestsandrulesandlivestheunendingskyAndapeoplemightbeastheywere,gatheredintheFather’sarms,Loving,humanlyjoyfulandsharingonespirit.Butalasthisraceofoursinhabitsthenight,itlivesInanOrcus,godless,everymannailedAlonetohisownaffairs,inthedinofwork

Hearingonlyhimself,inacrazylabourWithviolenthands,unresting,pitiable,andallTheirtrying,likethatoftheFuries,bringsnothingforth.ThustillthedreamofanxietyendsandoursoulsLiftup,youthfulandgay,andtheblessingbreathoflove,AsoftenitdidwhenthechildrenofHellasflowered,BlowsthroughthenewtimesandoverourlightenedbrowsNature’sspiritagain,thewanderer,thegod,Appearsingoldenclouds,serenelybiding.Butdaylightisholdingoff.ThosebornwiththegodsstillInhabit,soitseems,thedepthsoftheearth,Lonelybelow,asleep,whilstanundyingspring,Unseen,isbrighteningovertheirheads.Surelynolonger!IhearinthedistancethatfestivalDay’schoraleonthegreenhill,theechoinggroves,YouthbreathingagainandthesoulofthepeopleCollectedandstillinafreersongandthegodHonouredwhobelongsintheheightsbutthevalleysarehistoo.ForwheretheriverinitsgrowingyouthhurriesoutHappilyintothefloweringlandandthetallCornripensonthesunnyplainandfruit,theretooThepeoplearewreathedwithlove,onthecity’shillTheheavenlyhallofgladnessshineslikeahumanhome.Life,alloflife,hasfilledwiththesenseofGodAndeverywherenaturereturnstoherchildren,theoldFulfilmentreturnsandasiffromahillofspringsBlessingswatertheseedlingsoulofthepeople.OfestiveAthens,oSpartarememberedforbravery,SweetspringtimeofGreece,whenourAutumncomes,whenthespiritsoftheoldworldreturnRipenedandtheyearmovestofulfilmentThenonadaythatwillholdthepastinitsarmsWeepinginthanksletthepeoplelooktowardsHellasAndsoftentheprideoftheirtriumphwithmemories.

Blossommeanwhileuntilourfruitionbegins,Ioniangardens,blossom,andovertherubbleofAthensMaygreeneryhidethatgrieffromthelightofday,LaurelwoodswreathwiththeirlastingleavesthehillsHousingyourdead,atMarathon,therewheretheboysWonanddiedandthereonthefieldsofChaeroneaWherethelastmenofAthensranwiththeirweaponsandbledFleeingfromashamefulday,andthetravelledstreams

SingdownfromthehillsintothebattlevalleySingdownfromthepeaksofOetathefactsoffate.Butyou,undying,thoughtheGreekshaveceasedSingingyourpraise,oPoseidon,fromoutofyourwavesSoundinmysoulstill,often,andonthewaterMyspiritwillmovelikeaswimmer,bravely,andpractiseNewhappinesssuchasthegodshave,andknowwhatthegodsmeanAndhowthingschangeandgrow,andwhenthesetearingtimesAssailmyheadtooroughlyandtheneedamongmortalmenAndbewildermentshakemymortallifeLetmethinkofthestillnessthenthatyouhaveinyourdepths.

Thosesleepingnow

OneunenduringdayIlivedandgrewwithmydearest.Oneafteranothertheyslept,onebyonetheyhavefled.

Stillyou,sleeping,wakenearmyheart,theimagesofyouFleeing,restinmykindredsoulandyoulivethere

Liveliernowwherejoy,thegods’ownspirit,whereyouthfulJoyreappearsinallofmyageingandallofmydead.

Aswhenonaholiday…

AswhenonaholidayacountrymanWalksouttoseethefields,earlyWhenallthewhilefromanightofheatthecoolingLightningsfellandinthedistancethere’sstillthunderTheriverreturnsbetweenitsbanksThegroundisgreenandfreshAndfromtheheavens’delightingrainThevinestockdripsandshiningInthequietsunlightstandsthegroveoftrees:

SoforthemtooitisapromisingtimeWhomnomasteralonebutbyherbeautysheThegoddessNatureinherstrengthandeverywhereWonderfullywithlightembracesteaches.SowhenattimesoftheyearsheseemsasleepIntheheavensoramongtheplantsoramongthepeoplesThefacesofthepoetssorrowalsoTheyseemtobealonebutfeelanexpectation.Forshe,lyingquiet,doestoo.

Butnowdaydawns!Waiting,IsawitcomeAndwhatIsaw,thewordforitisholy.ForsheherselfwhoisolderthantheseasonsAndabovethegodsoftheWestandoftheOrientNowwithadinofarmsNaturehaswokenAndfromtheaetherdownintotheabyssByasettledlaw,asformerly,bornoutofholyChaosThespiritbreathes,isfeltagainInher,creatorofallthings.

AndasfireshinesintheeyesofonewhosethoughtIsbravelytakingshape,sonowAgainbythesignsandthedoingsoftheworldFireshavebeenlightedinthesoulsofthepoetsAndwhatoccurredbefore,thenhardlyfelt,IsonlynowapparentAndtheywhosmilinglyhaveploughedourfieldsinServant-shapes,theliveliest

Energiesofthegods,werecognisethemnow.

Theirwhereabouts?TheirspiritblowsthroughthesongsThatspringfromtheday’ssunlightandthewarmearthAndfromweathersmovingintheairandthosethatLongerpreparingindepthsoftime,moreSignifyingandmoreaudibletousTravelbetweenheavenandearthandamongthepeoples.SothethoughtsofthecommunalspiritcomeTorestinthesoulofthepoet

Whothen,struckswiftlyandlongcognisantOfeverlastingthings,shakeswithmemoryAndbytheholylightningquickenedtoflameThepoem,conceivedinlove,thework–thatitmayspeaktoboth–Ofearthandheaven,withluckandgracesucceeds.Thus,sopoetstell,whenshedesiredtoseeDivinityvisiblehislightningfellonSemele’shouseAndshe,struckbythegod,gavebirthtoThechildofthethunderstorm,holyDionysus.

AndsoitisthatthechildrenoftheearthNowdrinkthefireofheavenwithoutdanger.But,poets,byourcallingweareaskedtostandBare-headedunderGod’sthunderstormsandtograspTheFather’sverylightningwithourhandsAndclothingitinsongtopassThegiftofheaventothepeople.ForifWeareonlypureofheartLikechildrenandourhandsareguiltless,theFather’s

NakedlightningwillnotsearusanddeeplyShaken,sufferinginourselvesthesufferingOfthestronger,whenthegod,highriding,approachesInstormsuponus,theheartwillstanditsground.Butillbetidemeiffromaself-inflictedwoundMyheartbleedsandmypeaceislostDeepdownandmychosenmodestcontentmentAndrestlessnessandwantdrivemeTotheabundanttablesofthegodswhilearoundme

Illbetideme

AndifatonceIsay

IhavecometolookuponthegodstheywouldThemselvesflingme,thefalsepriest,backamongthelivingDown,deepdown,intothedarktosingThosequicktolearn,awarningsong.There

ToMotherEarthSongofthebrothersOttmar,HomandTello

Ottmar

Therebeingnocongregation,Isingalone.SoonestringtouchedasthoughForatrialbypleasinghandsPlaysatthestart.ButsoonwithdelightandagreaterseriousnessThemasterbowshisheadOvertheharpandthenotesShapeupforhim,theyfledgeManyastheyareandunderthewaker’sstrokesTogether,fully,asthoughoutofoceansIntothemovingairwithoutendthecloudofmelodylifts.

ButstillanotherthingThanthemusicoftheharpwillbeThesingingThechoirofthepeople.ForalthoughtheFatherhassignsenoughAndfloodsandlightninginhispowerLikethoughts

hewouldsurelybeinexpressibleAndnowheretrulyfindhimselfagainamongthelivingDidnotthecongregationhavetheheartforsinging.

Asyet,however

ButwhentherocksfirstbecameAndinashadowyworkshopwereforged

theironstrongholdsoftheearthBeforestreamshurrieddownfromthehillsAndgrovesandcitiesblossomedalongtheriversAlreadyheinthethunderHadcreatedapureruleAndestablishedpureharmonies.

Meanwhile,GodofMight,sparehimWhosingsaloneandgiveussongsenoughUntilithasbeenspokenaswemeanitThesoul’ssecret.ForoftenIheardThehymnsoftheoldpriest

andsoPrepareinmealsothesoulforthanksgiving.

ButinthearmourythemenInidletimeswanderwithtiedhandsAndviewtheweaponsIngreatseriousnesstheystandandonerelatesHowformerlythefathersdrewthebowSureofthemarkatagreatdistanceAndallbelievehimAndnoneispermittedtotry.LikeagodthepeopleLetfalltheirhandsNorisitrighttodressfestivelyfortheeveryday.

ThetemplecolumnsstandAbandonedinthedaysofneedTrue,thenorthwindhowlsanecho

deepinsidethehallsTherainwashesthemcleanAndmossgrowsandtheswallowsreturnInthedaysofspringbutthegodWithinisnamelessandthebowlofthanksAndthevesselsofsacrificeandallthesacredthingsAreburiedfromtheenemyintheunspeakingearth.

AndwhowantstogivethanksbeforehehasreceivedOranswerbeforehehasheard?NotwhileonehigherisspeakingTointerruptthemusicofthatspeech.HehasmuchtosayandadifferentrightAndthereisone,hourswillnotsufficehimAndthetimesofthecreatorArelikerangesofmountainsThatbillowingupwardsfromseatoseaProgressovertheearth

ManytravellersspeakofthisAndthewildbeastswanderlostinthegorgesAndtheherdsroamovertheheightsButinholyshadowsOnthegreenslopedwellsTheshepherdandviewsthepeaksSo

AtthesourceoftheDanube

[Igreetyou,MotherAsiaIsayyourname,notoutofmyownstrengthfor,sothatthanksshallreachyousoon,bythespiritofthem,asfromaholymountainIwascalledtosing

andfarawayintheshadeoftheancientwoodlandsyourestandrememberyourdeedsandenergieswhenyou,filledwithheavenlyfiredrunkonit,liftedupanendlessrejoicingandstillthatvoiceoutofyourthousandyearssoundsinourears

Butnowyourestandlistenwhetherperhapsfromlivelyheartsanechooflovemightnotcometoyou

withtheDanubewhendownfromtheheadoftheBlackForestshegoestowardstheEastandseeks

theworldandgladlybearstheships,onherstrongwavesIcometoyouandfurther,further,beforeitallhappensIannounceittoyouandsay

thatnowatlastatlastwiththewavesoftheDanubetheanswercomes,MotherAsia]

ForaswhenfromtheorgantunedinsplendourfromonhighInthesacredspaceThemorningwakingprelude’sclearspringsstartAndthroughthepipesfromthewellthatwillneverbeexhaustedAndallaroundfromroomtoroomTherefreshingriverofmelodyflowsAndthehouse,intoitscoldshadowsFillswiththespiritAndwakesandnowinsongThecongregationliftsandanswersitThissunoftheircelebration,soThewordcameoutoftheEasttousAndonParnassus’cliffsandonCithaeron,oAsiaIheartheechoofyouanditbreaksOntheCapitolandsheerdownfromtheAlps

TheforeignercomesTous,thewakenercomesThevoicethatshapesourhumanity.ThenastonishmentseizedthesoulOfeachandeveryoneofthoseshetouchedandnightFellovertheeyesofthebestofthem.ForhumanscandomuchAndwithclevernessandcraftbringfloodAndrockandtheviolenceoffireundertheircontrolAndwithcarelesscouragewillfacetheswordButconfrontedbythedivineOurstrengthiscastdown

RatherasthedeerSweetlydrivenbyyouthTorangerestlesslyoverthemountainsFeelsitsenergyInthemiddayheatbutwhenDrawndownthroughplayfulbreezesTheholylightandwiththecoolerradianceThespiritofjoycomesTotheblessedearththenunusedtothisuttermostbeautyThecreaturesuccumbsandslumbersinawakingsleepEvenbeforethestarsapproach.Andwelikewise.ForinmanyThelightoftheeyeswentoutbeforethefriendly

GiftsofthegodscametousfromIoniaAndfromAsiatooandthesoulsofthoseWhoweresleepinghadnojoyOfthepreciousteachingsandthesweetsongs.Butsomewereawake.AndtheymovedContentedlyamongyoudwellersinbeautifulcitiesAtthecontestswhere,otherwiseunseen,theheroSatsecretlyamongthepoetsandwatchedthewrestlersandwithasmileAcclaimed,whowashimselfacclaimed,theleisurely-earnestchildren.Itwasandisanunceasinglove.Andforthat,wellpartedfromyou,wethinkofyounonethelessAllofyouinthejoyoflifeontheIsthmusAndbytheCephissusandunderTaygetusAndyoualso,valleysoftheCaucasusAncientasyouareandyou,paradisalplacesthere,Wethinkofyouandofyourpatriarchsandyourprophets

OAsia,Mother,yourstrongonesWhofearlesslybeforethesignsoftheworldAndheavenontheirshouldersandeveryfateRootedfordaysonthemountainsFirstlearnedTospeakaloneWithGod.Theyareatrestnow.ButifyouAndthatistosayallYouancientshavenotsaidwhatWeshallcallyou,inholycompulsionwecallyouNatureandfromyou,asfromthebathStepsalllifebornofthegods.

True,wegoalmostlikeorphansAnddoubtlessdonothavethecareweusedtohaveButtheyoung,rememberingtheirchildhoodEventheyarenotstrangersinthehouse.TheylivethreefoldjustlikeThefirstsonsanddaughtersofheaven.AndfaithwasnotgivenusIntooursoulsfornothing.ItupholdsnotourselvesbutwhatisyoursalsoAndinthesacredthings,theweaponsofthewordThatyou,theoffspringofdestiny,departingLeftforuswhoarelessadept

Goodspirits,thereyouareOftenwhentheholycloudwaftsaroundoneofusWeareastoundedandcannotinterpretit.ButyouspiceourbreathwithnectarAndoftenthenwerejoiceoradeepmusingBefallsusbutifeveryouloveanytoomuchHecannotrestuntilheisoneofyou.Thereforebekind,surroundmelightlySothatIabide,formuchstillwantssinging.Butnow,blissfulandweepingLikealegendofloveMypoemendsandsoithasgoneWithblushesandpallorFromthestart.Butsoeverythinggoes.

Celebrationofpeace(firstversion)

Reconciler,neverbelievedinWhoareherenowassumingFormetheshapeofafriend,animmortalbutIcanrecognisekneelingIlookuptoandalmostLikeablindmanamcompelledToaskyouwhereyouhavecomefromAndwhytome,heavenlypeace,blessedpeace.ThisIdoknow,youarenotamortal,forawisemanOroneofthefriendswholookhonestlyattheworldMaycastlightonmanythingsbutwhenAgodappearsthenoverheavenandearthandtheseasComesanall-renewingclarity.

WealsoonceweregladIntheearlymorningwhentheworkswerestillOnaholidayandtheflowersalsointhatstillnessForcertainbloomedmorebeautifullyandthelivingwaterssprangforthbrightly.Thesinginginthechurch,Ishivered,hearingitatadistanceWhenthemoresecretutteranceslikeahallowedwineAgedbutmorepotentthen,growingInsummerfromGod’sthunderstormsDidstilltheanxietiesAndthedoubtsinmebutIneverknewwhatwashappeningForscarcelyborn,whydidyousosoonSpreadanightovermyeyesSothatIcouldnotseetheearthandhadTobreatheyoueffortfully,heavenlybreezes?

Itwaspredetermined.AndGodsmilesWhenunstoppablybuthemmedinbyhismountainsAngrywithhimbetweentheironbankstheriversroarDeepdown,buried,wherenodaylightmentionsthem.Andoh,preserverofallthings,mayyoualwaysHoldmetooandsparemysoul,whoissolightshewillescapeme.HencemyfestivaltodayandinthestillnessinaneveningfashionThespiritflowersaroundandevenifmyhairweresilvergrey

Nevertheless,friends,IwouldurgethatweprepareForthesupperandthesingingandenoughwreathsandmelodiesForthistimeasthoughwewereyoungforever.

Bepresent,youth,nowatlast,whobeforeyouhadfinishedspeakingWeresummonedbelowandrapidlythatjoyousthingyouofferedWasshutfromsightandadestinyAvastandterribleshadowspreadoveryouSorapidlythethingsofheavenpass,butarenotinvain.AlwaysdeftwiththemeasureagodtouchesThedwellingsofhumanbeingsWithasparinghand,onlyforamomentAndtheydonotknowitbutforalongtimeThinkofitandaskwhoitwas.Butwhensometimehaspassed,theyknow.

Andonahumangooddeed,thanksfollowButonadivinegiftFirstyearsoferrorandtribulationSothatonthefollowingtimesThelightfromaboveThroughaholywildernesswillshinemoremildly.ThereforeasagodbepresentAndlovelierthanbefore,oyouReconcilerbereconcilednowsothatweintheeveningMaynameyouwiththefriendsandsingOfthehighones,andthatothersmaybetherewithyou.

ForthesacredfirewasalmostexhaustedAllbreathedoutinflamesofsacrificeWhen,swiftlykindling,theFathersentdownOfallhehad,themostlovingAndburningwiththisConsuming,iffromgenerationtogenerationHumankindbecametoofulloftheblessingandtheyShouldthinkthemselvessufficientandintheirarroganceforgetheavenThenhesaidthereshallbeanewbeginningAndsee,whatyousaidnothingofThecompletionofthetimeshasbroughtit.Whichyousurelyknewbutyouweresenttodie,notliveAndalwaysgreaterthanhissphere,likethegodofgodshimselfOneoftheothersmustalsobe.

ButwhenthehourstrikesHestepslikethemasterfromhisplaceofworkAndrobeshimselfnootherthanfestivelyAsasignthatintheworkHehadleftthingstodo.Lessheappearsandgreater.AndlikewiseyouAndyougrantus,thechildrenofthelovingearthThatwe,howevermanyThefestivalshavebecomeMaycelebratethemallAndnotcountthegods,oneisalwaysforall.Likethesunlighttome,IsaluteDivinityinyouattheeveningofyourdays.Andnowmayweremain.

CelebrationofPeace(finalversion)

Iaskthatthispoembereadwithgoodwill.Itwillsurelythennotbeunintelligible,muchlesswillitgiveoffence.Ifsomeshouldevensofindthelanguageherenotconventionalenough,Ihavetotellthem:Icandonoother.Onafineday,asweknow,almosteverykindofsingingmaybeheard;andNature,fromwhenceitcomes,willinturnreceiveit.

Theauthorproposestopresentawholecollectionofsuchpoemstothepublic,andthismaybetakenasaforetaste.

Airedthroughandfilledwiththeheavens’Stillechoing,stillpeaceablyproceedingHarmoniesstandstheancientSweetlyfamiliarhall,joydriftsinfragrancesOvertheclothsofgreenandladenWithripestfruitsandgold-wreathedchalicesOverthelevelledground,thissideandthatinalongWell-orderedsplendidshiningThetablesrise.ForhereAtthishourofeveningFromdistantplacesalovingcompanyIscalledtomeet.

AndwithdawningeyesIthinkIseehimalreadySmilingaftertheseriouslaboursofhisdayHimself,thePrinceoftheFestival.AndthoughyouliketodisavowyourforeignlandAndasifwearyfromthelongcampaignLoweryoureyessoyourlookisabsent,lightlyshadedAndassumetheshapeofafriend,youwhoareknowntoall,yetEminencebringsmealmosttomyknees.BeforeyouIknownothing,onlythis:youarenotamortal.Awisemanmaycastlightformeonmanythings;butwhenAlsoagodappearsThereisadifferentclarity.

ButheisnotnewtousnorunannouncedAndonewhonevershiedfromfireorfloodMarvelsthatnowthereisstillnesswithgoodreasonAnddominancenowheretobeseenamongthespiritsandthepeople.FortheyheartheworkSolongpreparingfromeasttowest,onlynow

AstheThunderer’sreverberations,themillennialstormColossallyresoundingfainterandfainterintothedepthsTosleep,areeclipsedbytheringingofpeace.Butyou,grownprecioustous,youdaysofinnocenceBeloveddays,youbringusthisfestivalandinthisstillnessInaneveningfashionthespiritflowersaroundAndevenifmyhairweresilvergrey,nonetheless,myfriendsIwouldurgeweprepareforthesupperandwreathourhairNow,asthoughwewereyoungforever.

AndtherearemanyIshouldliketoinvitebutyouWithafriendlyseriousnessdisposedtopeopleThereunderSyrianpalmtreesIntheplaceyoulovedatthewellclosebythetownAmidtherustlingcornfields,inthecoolingsoftbreathingOfthesacredmountain’sshadowAndyourdearfriends,thefaithfulcloud,likewiseshadedyouSothatyourradiance,youryouthfulforthrightholinessCametopeoplethroughathicket,mildly.Oh,butakillingfate,decisive,terribleShadedyoumoredarklytheninthemidstofyourwords.SosoonThethingsofheavenpass,butnotinvain.

ForalwaysdeftwiththemeasureagodtouchesThedwellingsofhumanbeingssparinglyOnlyforamoment,unlooked-for,andnooneknowswhen.AndthereuponinsolencepassesoveritAndlicencefromallquarterscomestotheholyplacesLayshandsonthemandpractisesitsdelusionsAnddoingso,worksasadestiny,butthanksNeverfollowsatonceonthegod-givengiftWhichwillbegraspedthroughordeals.AlsoifthegiverwerenotsparingLongagobytheblessingofthehearthFromfloortoraftersthehousewouldhavebeeninflames.

YetofthegodsMuchhasbeengivenus.FireWasputintoourhandsandthesea’stidesandtheshore.FarmorethanintheirhumanwaysWearefamiliarwiththosealienenergies.AndthestarsinstructyouThatareinfrontofyoureyes,butyoucanneverbelikethem.

Butfromthespringofalllivingthings,fromwhomThereismuchjoy,muchsingingTherecomesone,ason,acalmpower,AndnowweknowhimNowthatweknowtheFatherAndtoholddaysofcelebrationThehighspiritofthisworldHasdisposedhimselftohumanbeings.

ForhehaslongbeenmorethanLordoftheTimes.Hiszoneranfarandwidebutwhendiditeverexhausthim?ButevenagodonoccasionmaychooseadailylabourLikemortalsandshareallthatcomesatthem.ThenfatedecreesthatallshallknowthelivesofothersSowhenthequietreturnstherewillbealanguagetoo.ButwhereverthespiritworkstherewearealsoandquarrelWhatmightbebest.AndnowseemsbesttomeNowthattheMasterhasfinishedandhispictureisaccomplishedAndhimselftransfiguredbyithestepsfromhisplaceofworkAsthequietGodoftheTimesandhenceforthonlythelawoflove,Sweetreconciler,countsfromhereonwardstoheaven.

MuchsincemorningtimeWhenwebecameaconversationandbegantohearfromoneanotherHashumankindexperienced;butsoonweshallbesongAndtheimageofthetimesthegreatspirithasunfoldedAsasignitliesbeforeusthatbetweenhimandothersThereisacovenantbetweenhimandotherpowers.Nothealone,theunbegotten,theeternalThosepowerstooareknowablebyit,asbytheplantsMotherEarthandlightandairaremadeknowntothemselves.Andlastlynow,youholyenergies,foryouThislove-sign,thistestimonyThatyoustilllive,thisfestival

Gatheringallin,wherethegodsofheavenArenotrevealedinmiraclesnorworkunseenintheweatherButinthesinginghospitablywithoneanotherArepresentinchoirs,aholynumberTheblessedinalltheirguisesAretogether,noristheirdearestabsentTowhomtheyaredevoted,andforthatIsummonedyou,unforgettableyouth

HeretothisbanquetpreparedattheeveningoftimeTobethePrinceofourfestival,andourgenerationWillnotliedowntosleepTillallofyouwhohaveeverbeenpromisedusAllyouimmortalsArethereinourhouseTospeaktousofyourheaven.

LightlybreathingairsAnnounceyoualreadyThesmokingvalleyannouncesyouAsdoesthegroundstillsoundingfromthethunderButhopebringsrosestothecheeksAndinthedoorofthehouseSitmotherandchildAndgazeatpeaceAndfewseemtodiePresentimentskeepthesoul,apromiseDispensedbythegoldenlightKeepstheoldesthere.

TheessencesoflifeAreindeedpreparedfromaboveandfromtherealsoThetoilsarecarriedthrough.AndnowallispleasingButasimplethingMost,foritisthelongsoughtafterGoldenfruitFalleninbatteringstormsFromanancienttreeAndthen,asthedearestgood,Guardedbyholyfateitselfwithgentleweapons,Itistheshapeandformofthepowersofheaven.

LikealionessyoulamentedWhenyoulostyourchildrenMotherNature.ForyourenemyStolethemfromyouwhen,toolovinglyYouhadreceivedhimalmostlikeasonofyourownAndputgodsintothecompanyofsatyrs.SoyoubuiltmuchAndyouburiedmuchForwhatyouinyouromnipotence

DraggedforthintothelightbeforeitstimeHatesyou.Andnowyouknowthisandyoudesist.ForthosethingsintheirfearfulworkingsLikebettertobeleftwithoutfeelingTilltheyripen,below.

Thejourney

Suevia,mymother,happyland!Youalsoare,likeyourmoreshiningsisterLombardyoverthere,FlowedthroughbyahundredstreamsAndtreesinplenty,whitewithblossomorreddishAndthedarker,deep,fullgreen,thewildtreesAndtheAlpsofSwitzerlandovershadowyoutoo,Neighbourly;fornearthehearthofthehouseIswhereyouliveandyoucanhearInsidefromsilveryvesselsThespringrushingthatissuesFrompurehandswhentouched

BywarmraysCrystaliceandtippedoverBythelightlyquickeninglightThesnowysummitdrenchestheearthWithpurestwater.ForthatreasonYouarebornloyal.HardLivingnearthesourcetoquittheplace.Andyourchildren,thetownsOnthelonglakeinthehazeOnthewillowyNeckarandontheRhineAllthinkNowherewouldbebettertolive.

ButIamsetontheCaucasus.ForIhearditsaidOnthewindseventodayThatpoetsareasfreeasswallows.Besides,inyoungerdaysThiswasimpartedtome:ThatagesagoOurancestors,theGermanpeople,TuggedgentlyhencebytheflowoftheDanubeOnasummerdayencounteredChildrenofthesunOntheBlackSea

WhenthesewereseekingshadeAnditsnameisforgoodreason‘Kindtostrangers’.

ForhavingregardedoneanotherTheyapproachedfirst,thenourstooSatdownincuriosityundertheolivetree.ButwhentheirclothestouchedAndnoonecouldunderstandTheother’sownspeechadiscordMightwellhavearisenhadnotfromamongthebranchesComedownthecoolingThatoftenoverthefacesofquarrellingmenWillusherasmile,andamomentTheylookedupinsilencethenonewithanotherLovinglytookhands.Andsoon

TheywereswappingweaponsandallThelovelygoodsofthehouseAndspeechtoo,swapped,andatjoyfulweddingsFathersinfriendshipWishedthechildrennothingthatdidnotcometrue.ForfromthemweddedOutoftheirsacramentissuedforthMorebeautifulthananythingbeforeorsinceBelongingtohumankind,apeople.WhereButwhereareyounow,dearones,mykithandkinThatwemightenteragainintothebondAndlovinglyremembertheancestors?

Thereontheshores,underIonia’sTrees,onthelevelsofCaysterWherecranesdelightingintheclearblueHaveinanarcaroundthemhazydistancesofmountainsYouweretheretoo,surpassingthemallinbeauty;ortendedTheislandswreathedinvinesAndsoundingoutwithsong,andotherslivedUnderTaygetus,underfamousHymettusTheyfloweredlast,butfromThespringsofParnassustoTmolus’StreamsglintingwithgoldoneEverlastingsongwasliftedup;foroverthetreesInthosedaysstrummed

ThemildbreezesofheavenAndoverthelyrestrings.

OlandofHomerBythepurplecherryorwhenArrivedherefromyouinthevineyardsmyYoungpeachesleafAndtheswallowcomesagreatdistancewithmuchtotellAndbuildsherhouseonmywallsinMaytime,andalsounderthestarsIonia,Ithinkofyou,butpeopleWantpresence.SoIhavecometotheislandsandtherivermouths,ThehallsofThetisWoodsandthecloudsoverIda.

Butdonotthinktostay.UnfriendlyandhardtowinIsthemotherIcomefrom,andshut.Oneofhersons,theRhine,WouldhavetakenherheartbystormbutvanishedWhensherebuffedhimwhoknowswhereintothedistance.IshouldnotliketohavegonelikethatFromherandonlytoinviteyouGracesofHellas,IhavegonetoyouSweetdaughtersofheavenThatifthejourneyisnottoogreatYoumightcometous.

WhentheairbreathesmoregentlyAndmorningsendsdownlovingarrowsOnuswhoarealltoopatientAndlightcloudsflowerOverourdiffidenteyesThenweshallsaywhatbringsyou,TheCharites,heretobarbarians?ButthehandmaidensofheavenAreawonderLikeeverythingbornofthegods.ItturnstoadreamshouldanyoneComeatitbystealthandpunishesAnyoneviolentlysettinghimselfupasequal;Oftentheoneitsurprises

Hasscarcelybeenthinkingit.

TheRhine(forIsaakvonSinclair)

Isatinthedarkivy,attheforest’sGate,justasthegoldennoon,Tovisitthespring,CamedownthestairsoftheAlpsWhicharetomethestrongholdThegodsbuiltforthemselvesAfteranoldopinion,butfromwhereInsecretmanyaresolutionReachesmen;fromthereIlearnedwithoutexpectingitOfadestinywhenmysoulConversingonthisandthatInthewarmshadeHadwanderedtowardsItalyAndfarawaytothecoastsoftheMorea.

ButnowinthemountainsUnderthesilversummitsatadepthUndercheerfulgreeneryWherethewoodswithashudderAndthepeeringheadsofthepeaksLookdownathim,allday,itwasthereInthecoldestpitIheardhimyammeringtobereleased,Theyouth,hewasheardasheragedAndrailedagainstEarthhismotherAndagainsttheThundererwhofatheredhimBymotherandfatherwithpitybutHumanityfledfromtheplaceForitwasterriblehowheLightlessinchainsWrithedandraved,thathero.

ItwasthevoiceofthenoblestofriversThefreebornRhineAndhighattheoutsethehadotherhopesWhenhepartedfromhisbrothersTicinoandRhône

AndwantedtowanderandhisroyalsoulDrovehimimpatientlytoheadforAsia.ButitmakesnosenseTowishone’sownwishesinthefaceoffateButtheblindestinthisArethesonsofgods.FormenknowTheirhomesandtobeastsitisgivenToknowwheretobuild,buttheyStartoutWithsoulsthatwantdirection.

Pureoriginsareariddle.EvenThepoemmayhardlydisclosethem.ForwhatYoubeganasyouwillremainHowevernecessityAnddisciplinework,andmostIsdonebybirthAndtherayoflightThatgreetsusnewborn.ButwhereelseisthereoneMoremadebyahappynativityForlifelongfreedomandonlyTogratifytheheartThantheRhineWhowasbornoftheblessedheightsAndtheholywombofourearth?

Hisvoicethereforeisexultant.HeneverlovedmewlingLikeotherinfantsinswaddlingbands.WhenthecrookedbanksFirstcreptalongsideAndthirstilytwiningaroundhimToleadhimtheirwaybeforeheknewitAndguardhimperhapsIntheirownjaws,helaughedAndrippedthesesnakesasunderAndranwiththespoilsandifswiftlyHewerenotmasteredAndmadetogrow,hemustlikelightningHavesplittheearth,andthewoodsfleeafterhimAsthoughenchantedandthehillssubsiding.

ButagodlikestosavehissonsTheirfugitivelives,andsmilesWhenheadlongbutbaulkedBytheholyAlpshisriversbridleAsthisonedoesinthedepth.ForpuritycomesOutofsuchasmithyAnditisbeautifulthenLeavingthemountainsHowhecontentshimselfDawdlingthroughGermanyandquieteninghislongingWithworksandheploughsthelandOurfatherRhineandnourisheschildrenIntownshefounded.

Butheneverforgets.ForhouseandhomeAndlawwillperishandthedaysOfmanbecomemonstrousbeforeOneliketheRhineforgetshisbeginningsAndthepurevoiceofhisyouth.WhowerethefirstTospoilthetiesofloveAndmakethemfetters?SooverweeningthattheymockedTheirownjusticeandsurelyThefireofheaventooandthenDespisinghumanpathsElectedoverboldnessAndstrovetoequalthegods.

ButthegodshaveenoughIntheirownimmortalityandneedIfanythingHeroesandmenAndothermortalcreatures.ForsinceThesupremelyblessedfeelnothingthemselvesDoubtlessanothermustIfitispermissibletosaysuchathingFeelintheirname,insympathyandthatSomeonetheyneed;buttheirjudgementisThatheshalltopplehishouseAndmixhisdearestandhisenemiesinonescolding

AndburytheoldandthenewgenerationsUndertherubbleWhoeverseekstobelikethemAndwillnotsufferthedifference,thefool.

BetterforamantohavefoundAmeasuredfateOnasafeshorewherethememoryOfwanderingsstillAndsufferingsweetlysurfacesTolookhereandtherewithoutrancourAndseethelimitsSethimatbirthByGodtolivewithin.Hehaspeace,heisblessed,heisundemandingForeverythinghedesired,Heaven’sgood,ofitselfComesoverhimsmiling,unforced,Nowthatherestsfromhisboldness.

Iamthinkingofdemigods.AndshouldInotknowthemforwhomMyhearthasoftenquickenedwithloveandlonging?Butonewhosesoullikeyours,Rousseau,EnduredandbecameinvincibleTowhomsuresensewasgivenThegiftofhearingandspeechTospeaklikethegodofwineFromsuchabundanceHoly,foolishandaccordingtonolawWhichisthelanguageofthepurestinheartAndthegoodunderstanditbutitsmitesTheheedless,thesacrilegioushirelingsRightlywithblindness,whatShallIcallsuchastranger?

Thesonsoftheearthare,likethemother,All-loving,forwhichtheyreceiveEverythingeffortlesslyandareblessed.ItstartlesamanWithfearWhenhethinksoftheheavenHislovingarmshavepiled

OnhisshouldersAndtheburdenofjoy.ThenoftenwhatseemstohimbestIsBiel,thelake,thebreezygreenery,InwoodlandshadeWherethelightdoesnotburnAndpoorintunesandcaresTolearnlikeabeginnerfromthenightingales.

AndtorisefromthesacramentofsleepHowgoodthatis,wakingFromthecoolofthewoods,ateveningthenToapproachthemilderlightWhenhewhobuiltthemountainsAnddrewtheriverstheirpathsHasfilledthesailsofourbusylivesSopoorinbreathAndsteeredus,smiling,withhisbreezesWhenhetoorestsandtowardsHispupilnowthemakerFindingmoregoodthanbadTowardsthispresentearthThedayinclines.–

ThenmenandgodswillhavetheirbridalfeastEverythingthatliveswillcelebrateAndfateforawhileIsentirelyeven-handed.AndthefugitiveslookforshelterAndthebraveasweetsleepButtheloversareWhattheywere,theyareAthomewhereflowersdelightinHarmlessfireandtheforebodingtreesArebreathedaboutbythespirit,butpeopleatoddsHaveturnedintheirtracksandarehurryingTotakehandsnowbeforeThefriendlylightGoesdownandthenightcomes.

AndsomethishurriesbyButothersRetainitlonger.

TheeternalgodsArefulloflifeforever;butuntodeathAmanalsoCanretainthebestinmindAndcrownhislifewithit.Toeveryonehismeasure.UnhappinessishardTobear,buthappinessharder.OnewisemanmanagedFrommiddaytomidnightAnduntilthemorningbrightenedTokeephiswitsatthesymposium.

Sinclair,onaburningpathamongpinesOrinthedarknessofanoakwoodifcladInsteelGodappearstoyouorifincloudsYouwillknowhimsinceyouknowinyourownyouthfulselfHisstrengthandhisgoodnessandheneversmilesThesmileofpowerbutyoudiscoveritIndaylightwhenFeverishandchaineditseemsThequickoflifeorelseAtnightwheneverythingmixesWithoutorderandtheancientChaosreturns.

Germania

Notthose,theblessed,thelivingimagesofthegodsWhoappearedonceintheancientlandOfcourseImaynotsummonthemanymore,yetwhenYouwatersofhome,withyouTheheart’slovegrieves,whatelsedoesitdesireWhatelseisitinholymourningfor?ThelandliesFullofexpectationandasindaysofheatLouring,fullofportent,theskytodayLaysashadowovertheyearningAndisfullofpromisesandseemsThreateningalso,butIwillstayunderitMysoulshallnotdesertmeandflybackToyouwhoarepastandwhomIlovetoowell.FortolookuponyourlovelyfacesAsthoughitwerethen,IfearisfatalAndscarcelyisitallowedtowakethedead.

Pastgods,andyou,stillpresentbutbackthenMorereal,youhadyourtime!NothingwillIdenyhere,nothingpleadfor.ForwhenitisoverandthedayextinguishedThepriestwillfeelitfirstbutlovinglyTempleandimageandhisruleandcustomfollowhimIntothedarklandandnolightstillshows.OnlyasiffromfuneralflamesagoldensmokeLegend,thenwaftsoveritandfaintlynowFlickersaroundourdoubtingheadsAndnoneknowswhatishappening.WefeelTheshadesofthosewhooncehavebeen,Theancientsvisitingtheearthagain.Forthosewhoaretocome,theypressuponusAndnotmuchlongerwilltheblessedhostOfhumangodslingerintheblueheavens.

Alreadythefield,inthepreludeofaharshertimePreparedforthem,isgreeningnow,theofferingsarereadyAndthevalleysandtheirriversareWideopenaroundpropheticmountains

SothatamanmayseeintotheEastAndmanychangescomingfromtherewillmovehim.OutoftheaetherThetrueimagefalls,oracleswithoutnumberRaindownfromthereandtheinnermostgroveresoundsAndcomingfromtheIndusAndoverflyingThesnowypeaksofParnassusandItaly’sCelebranthills,seekingsomewelcomepreyButnotasheoncedid,fortheFather,theeagleOlderandmorepractisednowinflightatlastandrejoicingLiftsovertheAlpsandviewsthemanydifferentlands.

Heseeksthepriestess,God’squietestdaughterWhoinadeepsimplicity,tooreadilyholdsherpeaceSeeksherwhoinallthenoiseoflateInthestormsthenthreateningdeathaboveherheadStoodopen-eyedasthoughnotknowingitChildlike,sensingbetterthingsUntiltherewasamazementthroughouttheheavensThatthereshouldbeonegreatinfaithasisThehighpoweritselfthatgivesusblessings.ThereforetheysentthemessengerwhoquicklyknowingherSmiledandthought:WhomnothingbreaksAdifferentwordmusttestyou.And,youthfulagainLookingtowardsGermania,hecried:‘YouchosenforyourboundlessloveTobearaheavyhappinessArenowgrownstrongenough

Sincethetimewhen,hiddenintheforestandthefloweringpoppiesDazedinasweetslumber,youpaidmenoheedAndlongbeforeothers,lesser,alsosensedyourmaidenprideAndmarvelledandaskedwhosechildyouwereandwhenceyoucameAndyouyourselfnotknowing.IdidnotmistakeyouAndsecretlywhileyoulaydreamingIleftAtmiddayafarewellsignoffriendshipTheflowerofspeechandyouspokeinsolitude.ButinthejoyofityousentalsoanabundanceOfgoldenwordsoutintotheriversandtheyissueforthIntoallthelocalities.ForliketheholyMotherofallthingsWhompeopleoncecalled“thehidden”

LikehersalmostyourheartisfullofloveandsorrowAndofpresentimentsAndpeace.

OhdrinkthemorningairsTillyouareopenAndnamewhatisbeforeyoureyesTheunspokencannolongerRemainasecretHavingbeensolongenshroudedForshynessisfittinginhumansAndmostofthetimeItiswisetospeakofthegodsso.ButwheremoreplentifullythanclearstreamwatersThegoldoverflowsandtheangerintheheavensisinearnestThenbetweendayandnightForonceatruethingmustappear.CircumscribeitthriceButunspokentoo,asitishereSo,innocentgirl,itmuststay.

Odaughteroftheholyearth,saynowThenameofthemother.RoaringofwatersbelowtherocksAndstormwindintheforestandathernameOutoftheancienttimethelostgodssoundagain.Howdifferentitis!Andontheright,fromthedistancesFuturethingsalsoshineandspeak,andgladdenus.ButinthemiddletimeTheaetherlivesquietlyWiththehallowedvirginalearthAndwillingly,inremembranceThey,wantingnothing,arepresentHospitablyatyourfestivalsGermaniawhereyouAspriestess,wantingnothingAndunarmed,givecounselallaroundTothekingsandtothepeoples.’

Theonlyone(firstversion)

WhatisitthatTotheancientblessedcoastsSobindsmethatIlovethemMorethanmymotherland?ForasifsoldintoHeavenlycaptivityThereIamwhereApollowalkedIntheformofakingAndwhereZeusfromtheheightsAbasedhimselftoinnocentyouthsAndinholyfashionGotsonsanddaughtersamonghumans.

HighthoughtsinplentyHavesprungfromtheFather’sheadAndgreatsoulsComedownFromhimtohumans.IhaveheardOfElisandOlympia,havestoodOnthesummitofParnassusAndoverthemountainsoftheIsthmusAndbeyondalsoBySmyrnaanddownByEphesusIhavewalked

SeenmanybeautifulthingsAndsungGod’simageabundantlyThatlivesamonghumans,yetYouancientgodsandallYoubravesonsofthegodsIseekonemoreIloveAmongyouandwhomyouconcealThelastofyourraceThejewelofyourhouseFromme,theforeignvisitor.

Mymasterandlord!Oyou,myteacher!WhyhaveyoukeptYourdistance?AndwhenAmongtheancientsIaskedtheheroesandThegodsforyou,whywereYoumissing?AndnowmysoulIsfullofsorrowasthoughTheimmortalsjealouslycompetedSothatifIserveoneIwilllackanother.

AndyetIknowThefaultismine.ForIclingChrist,toomuchtoyouAlthoughthebrotherofHeraclesAndboldlyIprofessThatyouarebrotheralsoofEviusWhotohischariotHitchedthetigersanddownAsfarastheIndusCommandingcheerfulworshipEstablishedthevineandTamedthefuryofthepeoples.

ButIamshyOfcomparingtheworldlymenWithyou.AndindeedIknowThathewhobegotyou,yourfatherThesamewho

Forheneverrulesalone.

ButloveattachesToone.ForthistimeThepoemhascomeToomuchfrommyownheart.IwillmakegoodtheerrorWhenIsingothersongs.Ineverhit,asIshouldwishThemeasure.ButagodknowsWhenthatcomesthatIwish,thebest.

ForastheMasterWalkedonearthAcaptiveeagle

AndmanywhoSawhimwereafraidWhiletheFatherdidHisutmostandtheSonTrulyworkedhisbestandveryTroubledwashealsoAllthewhiletillhePassedonthebreezestowardsheaven.Suchisthecaptivityofthesoulsoftheheroes.Thepoets,evenThespiritual,mustbeworldly.

Theonlyone(ll.50-97ofthesecondversion)

AndyetIknowThefaultismine.ForIclingChrist,toomuchtoyouAlthoughthebrotherofHeraclesAndboldlyIprofessThatyouarebrotheralsoofEviuswhoHoldsupthepeoples’death-wishandtearsthesnareSothathumansseeclearlynottogoThewayofdeathandkeepameasuresothatallAresomethingforthemselvesandfeelingThegreattime’sdestinyandItsfires,theystrikethemomentandwhereThewaygoesotherwisetheretheytooseeWhereitmightbeadestinybutmakeitsafeAligningitwithhumansorwithlaws.

Buthisangerflamesup,thatThesignistouchingtheearth,graduallyGoingoutofsightasthoughdownaladder.Thistime.Wilful,excessiveUnbounded,thathumansLaytheirhandsonwhatlivesandmorethanisproperEvenforademigod,theprojectExceedingwhatissetandsacred.ForsinceanevilmindTookpossessionofthehappyAncientWorld,unendinglyForagesnowathinghasgovernedthatistheenemyofsong,tuneless,thatTransgressesinportions,violenceofthemind.ButGodHatesdissolution.Butinterceding

Thedaylightofthesetimes,aquietmakerGoingitsway,thebloomoftheyears,restrainshim.Andthedinofwarandthehistoryoftheheroes,obstinatedestiniesThesunofChrist,gardenofthepenitentsandThewanderingsofpilgrimsandpeoples,thewatchman’sSongandthewritingsoftheBardortheAfrican.AlsothefatesOfthosewithoutfameholdhim,thosewhointothedaylightAreonlynowcomingfully,thefatherlyprinces.Forthatestate

Isfarmoregodlythanitwas.ForthelightbelongsnowTogrownmen.Nottoyouths.Themotherlandalso.Fresh

Notyetexhausted,andwithabundantlocksofhair.FortheFatheroftheEarthtakesdelightinthisalsoThattherearechildren,sothereremainsacertaintyOfgoodness.SoalsoitdelightshimThatthingsremain.AndtherearepeoplesavedasonBeautifulislands.Theyarelearned.AndtemptationswithoutnumberHavevisitedthem.Countlessfell.SoitwentWhenEarth’sFatherwaspreparingwhatwouldendureInthetempestsofthetimes.Butthatisfinishednow.

Theonlyone(thirdversion)

WhatisitthatTotheancientblessedcoastsSobindsmethatIlovethemMorethanmymotherland?ForasifbentintoHeavenlycaptivity,myspeechfollowingthedaylightThereIamwhere,asstonessay,ApollowalkedIntheformofakingAndwhereZeusfromtheheightsAbasedhimselftoinnocentyouthsAndinholyfashionGotsonsanddaughtersdwellingmuteamonghumans.

HighthoughtsinplentyHavecomeoutoftheFather’sheadAndgreatsoulsComedownFromhimtohumans.IhaveheardOfElisandOlympia,havestoodForeveratspringwatersonParnassusAndoverthemountainsoftheIsthmusAndbeyondalsoBySmyrnaanddownByEphesusIhavewalked

SeenmanybeautifulthingsAndsungGod’simageabundantlyThatlivesamonghumans.For,likespaceDivinityisveryrichlycalculableInyouthandyetYouancientgodsandallYoubravesonsofthegodsIseekonemoreIloveAmongyouandwhomyousafeguardThelastofyourrace

ThejewelofyourhouseForme,theforeignvisitor.

Mymasterandlord!Oyou,myteacher!WhyhaveyoukeptYourdistance?AndwhenAmongtheancients,inthemidstofthespiritsIsawtheheroesandThegodswhywereYoumissing?AndnowmysoulIsfullofsorrowasthoughTheimmortalsjealouslycompetedSothatifIserveoneIwilllackanother.

AndyetIknowThefaultismine.ForIclingChrist,toomuchtoyouAlthoughthebrotherofHeraclesAndboldlyIprofessThatyouarebrotheralsoofEviuswhoshrewdlylongagoStraightenedtheheadstrongerrancyOftheearthforGodandaccordedAsoultothebeastthatlivingOnitsownhungerwanderedandfollowedtheearthButhedecreedrightwaysatonceandplacesAndeveryone’sbelongingsThesetooheordered

ButIamshyOfcomparingtheworldlymenWithyou.AndindeedIknowThathewhobegotyou,yourfatherisThesame.ForChristtooofcourseStoodaloneunderthevisibleheavensandthestars,thosevisiblyGoverningfreelyovertheestablishedorderwithGod’spermissionAndthesinsoftheworld,theunintelligibilityOfknowledgeforexamplewhenhumanbusynessOvergrowsthethingsthatlastandthestars’couragewashischargealso.FortheworldisForeverecstaticallyliftingawayfromtheearthandwouldDenudeitwherethereisnoholdinhumanethings.ButthereremainsatraceOfawordnonethelesswhichamanmayseize.Buttheplacewas

Thewilderness.Sotheyareone.Fullofjoys,abundantly.AtrefoilGreensinsplendour.Thiswouldbeunshapely,forthesakeofthespirit,ifofsuchOneversedintheknowledge,asabadprayer,werenotpermittedtosayTheyarelikecommanderstome,likeheroes.MortalsareallowedthisbecauseWithoutsomeholdGodhasnounderstanding.ButasuponcarriagesHumblewiththedaylight’sViolenceorWithvoicesGodappearsasNaturefromwithout.MediatedInholywrit.GodsareAndhumansonearthtogetherthewholetime.AgreatmanandlikewiseagreatsoulEvenifinheaven

Desirestobewithoneonearth.AlwaysThisremainsalwaysinterlockingeverydayisTheworld.ButallthedaystheystandasoveranabyssOnebyanother.Thosethree,however,aresuchThattheystandunderthesunLikeahuntsmanorAploughmanwho,drawingbreath,Bareshishead,orabeggar.TomakecomparisonsIssweetandright.TheearthDoesonegood.Itcools.Butalways

Patmos(fortheLandgrafofHomburg)

ThegodisnearandHardtograspbutWherethereisdangersomeSalvationgrowstheretoo.EaglesliveInthedarkandthesonsoftheAlpsCrossovertheabysswithoutfearOnlightlybuiltbridges.ThensincethesummitsoftimeArepiledaroundusAndourlovedonescloseandfaintingOnpeaksfarapartOhgiveusinnocentwaterGiveuswingsthatweLoyallygooverandreturn.

Thoseweremywords,andquickerThanIhadsupposedandfarTowhereIhadneverthoughtIshouldcomeAspirittookmeawayFrommyownhouse.TheshadowywoodAndthelongingstreamsOfhomeweredarkeningIntwilightwhenIleftAndIneverknewthelandsButsooninalightThatwasfresh,andmysteriouslyInagoldensmokeGrowingrapidlyWiththestridesofthesunAndthescentofathousandsummits

Asiaflowered,andblindedIlookedForsomethingIknewUnusedasIwastothebroadstreetswhereDownfromTmolusPactoluscomesingold

AndTaurusstandsandMessogisAndthegardenfullofflowers,Aquietfire;buthighinthelightThesilversnowblossomsAndshowingthelifeeternalOnunclimbablewallsTheancientivygrowsandthemajesticGod-builtpalacesareborneBylivingcolumnsOfcedarandlaurel.

ButaroundthedoorsofAsiaHereandthereOvertheuncertainlevelsoftheseaShadowlessroadsinanynumbergo,Buttheboatmanknowstheislands.AndwhenIheardThatonelyingnearWasPatmosItmademelongToputinandapproachThedarkcavethere.ForPatmosissplendidNotasCyprusisThataboundsinstreamsNorlikeanyotherbut

InapoorerhouseIsneverthelessHospitableandwhenShipwreckedorCryingforhomeorThedepartedfriendSomestrangerNearshershewelcomesthesoundandherchildrenThehotgrove’svoicesAndwherethesandfallsandthesurfaceofthefieldCracks,thosenoisestooHearhimandgivealovingechoOftheman’slaments.SoonceShecaredforGod’sBelovedseerwhowasblessedinhisyouth

WiththecompanyofThesonoftheHighest,theywentInseparablyfortheThunderbearerlovedThedisciple’ssimplicityandhewasattentiveAndsawthecountenanceofGodexactlyWhenatthemysteryofthevineTheysattogetheratsupperandtheLordForeknowingandatpeacefromhislargesoulSpokeouthisdeathandthelastloveForatthattimeTherewasnoendofhiswordsoflovingkindnessAndgoodcheerwhenhesawtheworldAngry.Foreverythingisgood.Thereuponhedied.MuchmightBesaidaboutthis.AndonelasttimehisfriendsSawhiminthelookofvictory,athismostjoyful

ButtheygrievedsincenowItwasevening,andtheywereastoundedAndadecisionwasweighingintheirheartsButtheylovedlifeinthesunAndwereloathtoleavethecountenanceoftheLordAndhome.ButitWasdrivenintothemlikefireinironAndtheshadowoftheirbelovedkeptthemcompany.ThereforehesentthemThespiritandthehouseShookandGod’sturbulencerolledThunderingintothedistanceoverTheirguessingheadswhen,Thinkingheavily,theywereassembledLikesentencedheroes

AndheappearedOncemoretothemanddeparted.Forthesunputouthislightnow,Theroyalday,andsnappedThestraightbeamsofhissceptrehimselfWithagod’spainAndintendedreturningWhenthetimeisright.ItwouldhavebeenwrongLater,abruptanduntrue,Theworkofmankind,anditwasajoyFromnowon

ToliveinthelovingnightandpreserveInsimpleeyes,unflinching,Abyssesofwisdom.AndlivelyimagesAreverdantunderthemountainstoo.

ButthewayGodscatterslifeThiswayandthattotheuttermostIsterrible.NotonlytoloseSightofthedearfriends’facesAndfaroverthemountainsgoAlonewhenbetweentwoTheheavenlyspiritwasrecognisedInunisonandnotasathingtocomebutPresentandtuggingatthehairWhensuddenlyHurryingawaythegodlookedbackatthemAndswearinganoathToholdhimasthoughboundHenceforthbygoldencordsTheysaidtheworstandtookoneanother’shands–

ButwhenthereuponhediesOnwhommorethanonanyoneBeautyhungsothathisshapeWorkedamiracleandthegodsPointedhimoutandwhentheyareleftForeverariddletooneanotherAndcannotcomprehendandyettheylivedTogetherinthememoryandwhenittakesawayNotonlythesandorthewillowtreesAndseizesthetemplesbutdownthewindGoesthehonourofthedemigodandhiskinAndtheHighesthimselfThereuponavertshiscountenanceAndnowhereintheskyisanythingImmortaltobeseennoronTheverdantearth–tellme,whatisthis?

ItisthethrowofthewinnowerwhenhecatchesCorninthefanAndflingsittowardsdaylightoverthefloor.ThechafffallsathisfeetbutThewheatgetsthrough

NoristhatbadifsomeIslostandthelivingsoundOfspeechdispersesforGod’sworkresemblesoursandhedoesnotwishEverythingatonce.True,thereisironintheshaftAndglowingresininEtnaSoIwouldhavetherichesToshapeashapeandseeHimhowhewas,theChrist,

AndwhatifonespurredhimselfandwaylaidmeConversingsadlywhenIwasdefencelessSothatImarvelledandofthegodIwished,aserf,tocopytheimage–InhisangeronceIsawtheLordOfheavenvisible.Nottobeanythingmyself.OnlyTolearn.Theyarekind,butwhattheyloatheaboveall,Solongastheyrule,isfalsenessandnothingHumancountsthenamongmankindWhodonotgovern,theimmortalsdo,theirworkProceedingofitselfIshurryingtoitsdestinedend.ForwhenthetriumphofheavenriseshigherThestrongwillnamehimlikethedaystarTheywillnameGod’sjoyfulson

Asawatchword,andhereisthestaffOfsongbeckoninghimdown.Nownothingisordinary.ThedeadNotcoarsenedyetWillbewoken.ButmanyeyesThatareshyoflookingarewaitingtoseeThelight.TheywillnotflowerWhenthebeamsaresharpAlthoughagoldenbridleholdsintheireagerness.ButwhenasthoughThroughshieldingbrowsAwayfromtheworldAgentlyluminouspowerfallsfromthescripturesGladofthegracetheymaytrythemselvesOnthosequietglances.

Ifnowthegods,asIBelieve,lovemeHowmuchmoreyouForIknowthis:ThewillOftheeternalFatherweighsWithyou.HissignisquietInthethunderingsky.AndonestandsbeneathitHiswholelifelong.ForChriststilllives.AndalltheheroeswhoaretheFather’ssonsHavecomeandholyscripturesFromhimandthedeedsoftheearthExplainhislightningstill,Aracethatcannotbehalted.Butheisthere.ForknownUntoGodareallhisworksfromthebeginning.

ThehonourofthegodshasbeenToolong,toolonginvisible.FortheymustalmostGuideourfingersanddoAshamefulviolencetowresttheheartsfromus.Forthegodswant,allofthem,oblations.AndneglecthasdoneusNothingbutharm.WehaveservedMotherEarthAndlatelythelightofthesunInignorance,buttheFatherGoverningallLovesbestthatwetendThesolidletterandmakegoodsenseOfwhatwehave.AndGermanpoetstryto.

Patmos(fragmentsofthelaterversion)

Fullofkindnessis;butnoneGraspsGodalone.ButwherethereisdangersomeSalvationgrowstheretoo.EaglesliveInthedarkandthesonsoftheAlpsCrossovertheabysswithoutfearOnlightlybuiltbridges.Since,then,aroundclarity,thesummitsoftimeArepiledaroundusAndourlovedonescloseandfaintingOnpeaksapartOhgiveusinnocentwaterGiveuswingsthatweLoyallygooverandreturn.

Thoseweremywords,andwithmoreartThanIhadsupposedandfarTowhereIhadneverthoughtIshouldcomeAspirittookmeawayFrommyownhouse.TheshadowywoodAndthelongingstreamsOfhomewereclothingthemselvesIntwilight,likepeople,whenIleftAndIneverknewthelands.Yetmuchhavewesufferedtogether,manytimes.SoInalightthatwasfresh,andmysteriouslyInagoldensmokeGrowingrapidlyWiththestridesofthesunAndthescentofathousandtablesnow

Asiaflowered,andquiteblindedIlookedForsomethingIknewUnusedasIwastothebroadstreetswhereDownfromTmolusPactoluscomesingold

AndTaurusstandsandMessogisAndthegardenalmostsleepywithflowers,

Oislandoflight!

Forwhenfameisextinguished,theeyes’delight,and,nolongerkeptbypeople,Thepaths,withoutshade,becomeunsureofthemselvesandthetreesAndrealms,landswheretheeyeswereyoung,havepassedawayMoreathletic,Intheruin,andinnocence,nativeinnocence,Isrippedtoshreds.ForfromGodunalloyedConscienceandrevelationcome,thehandoftheLordSignalsrichlyfromthedirectingheavens,thenandforawhileLawandofficeareindivisible,andtoliftThehands,thattoo,andtoorderThefallinglooseofevilthoughts.ForcruellyGodhatesknow-allminds.ButJohnStoodpureandfirmontheundoingground.IfanyDeclarethepropheticwordtobeearthly

FromJordanandfromNazareth

AndfarfromthelakebyCapernaumTheairsofGalileeandfromCana.Ishallstayawhile,hesaid.AndsowithdropsHestilledthesighingofthelightthatwaslikeAthirstybeastinthosedayswhenaroundSyriaThehomelygraceofthebutcheredinfantswailedIndyingandtheheadOftheBaptist,plucked,laylikenever-witheringscriptureVisibleontheabidingplatter.God’svoicesArelikefire.ButitishardToretainingreatthingsthatwhichisgreat.Itisnotapasture.ThatoneRemainsinthebeginning.ButnowThispassesasformerly.

John.Christ.HimIshouldlikeTosingasIwouldHeraclesorTheisland,nearby,withitscoolsea-watersThatoutofthewasteofthewidetideHeldfasttoPeleusandrescuedandrefreshedhim.ButThatcannotbe.Fatedecreesotherwise.Morefullofwonders.Tosingmorerichly.SincehimThestorylooksneverending.AndnowIshouldliketosingthejourneyofthenoblesToJerusalemandthesuffering,allastray,inCanossaAndHeinrich.ButletnotmyveryCourageforitexposeme.FirstWemustgraspthis.ThatsinceChristThenamesarelikethemorningair.Turntodreams.FallLikeerrorandlethallyontheheartunless

Oneweighsandgraspswhattheyare.ButhewasattentiveAndsawthecountenanceofGodWhenatthemysteryofthevineTheysattogetheratsupperandtheLordFromhislargesoulchoosingcarefullySpokeouthisdeathandthelastlove.ForatthattimeTherewasnoendofhiswordsoflovingkindnessAndtostrengthenwhatstrengthensus.ButhislightWasdeath.Fortheworld’squarrelsarewearing.Butheknewthat.Everythingisgood.Thereuponhedied.ButatthelastthefriendsThatnotwithstandingsawbeforeGodthebowedFigureofDenialasif,thoughtfully,Acenturyinclineditselfinthejoyofthetruth,

ButtheygrievedsincenowItwasevening.FortobepureIsadestiny,alifethathasaheartBeforesuchacountenanceandlastsmorethanhalf.Butmuchistobeavoided.ButtoomuchOflovewherethereisadorationIsperilous,strikesmost.TheywereloathToleavethecountenanceoftheLordAndhome.BornLikefireinironitwasinthemAndtheshadowoftheirbelovedkeptthemcompany,likeaplague.

ThereforehesentthemThespiritandthehouseShookandGod’sturbulencerolledThunderingintothedistance,creatingmen,aswhendragons’teeth,ofasplendidfate,

Patmos(ll.136-195ofworkonafinalversion)

FromJordanandfromNazarethAndfarfromthelakebyCapernaumwheretheySoughthim,andtheairsofGalileeandfromCana.Ishallstayawhile,hesaid.Andsoasifwithdrops,withholydropsHestilledthesighingofthelightthatwaslikeathirstybeastorTheshriekingofthehenthatdaywhenaroundSyria,sereThehomelygraceofthebutcheredinfantswailedEloquentlyasitdisappearedandthegoldenheadOftheBaptist,fellandlaylikeinedibleandnever-witheringscriptureVisibleonthedryplatter.God’svoicesArelikefireincities,deadlyamorous.ButforcertainitburnsToretainequallyingreatthingsthatwhichisgreat.Itisneverapasture.ThatoneRemainsinthebeginning.ButnowThispassesasformerly.

John.Christ.HimI,asabearerofburdens,ShouldliketosingasIwouldHeraclesorThenearbyislandwithitscoldsea-watersThatoutofthewasteofthewidetideenchantedandadornedwithmeaningfulflowersPeleus,refreshing.ButnotEnough.Fatedecreesotherwise.Morefullofwonders.Tosingmorerichly.SincehimThestorylooksneverending.AndalsoIshouldliketosingthejourneyofthenoblesToJerusalemandlikeswansthemovementoftheshipsandthesuffering,allastray,in

Canossa,burninghotAndHeinrich.ButletnotrightattheoutsetMyverycourageforitexposeme.FirstWemustlookwithconclusionsOfinvention.ForitisdearThecountenanceofthedearest.ForsufferingColoursitspuritywhichisaspure

Asasword.ButthenTheattentivemanSawthecountenanceofGod

WhenatthemysteryofthevineTheysattogetheratsupperandtheLordFromhislargesoulchoosingcarefullySpokeouthisdeathandthelastlove.ForatthattimeTherewasnoendofhiswordsoflovingkindnessAndtostrengthenwhatissnow-white.ButafterwardsHislightwasdeath.Fortheworld’squarrelswantnamesandconcepts.Butheknewthat.Everythingisgood.Thereuponhedied.ButatthelastthefriendsThatnotwithstandingsawbeforeGodthebowedFigureofDenialasif,thoughtfully,Acenturyinclineditselfinthejoyofthetruth,

ButnonethelesstheywereboundtogrievesincenowItwasevening.FormostlytobepureIsadestiny,alifethathasaheartBeforesuchacountenanceandlastsmorethanhalf.Butmuchistobeavoided.ButtoomuchOflovewherethereisadorationIsperilous,strikesmost.ButtheywereloathToleavethetearsandthebrowsoftheLordAndhome.BornglowingLikefireredinironitwasinthem.AndharmingthecountenanceofthegodreallyLikeaplaguetheshadowoftheirbelovedkeptthemcompany.ThereforehesentthemThespiritandthehouseShookandGod’sturbulencerolledThunderingintothedistance,creatingmen,wrathfulaswhendragons’teeth,ofa

splendidfate,

Remembrance

Thenor’easterisblowingThedearestofthewindsTomesinceitfiresthesailor’sSpiritandpromisesaprosperousvoyage.ButgonowandgreetThelovelyGaronneAndthegardensofBordeauxAtaplacewherethebanksareabruptAndthepathgoesalonganddownIntotheriverthestreamdropsbutOveritlooksoutanoblepairOfoaksandwhitepoplars.

IammindfulofitstillandhowTheelmsinacopseinclineTheirbroadcrownsoverthemillButafigtreegrowsintheyard.OnholidaysTherethebrownwomenwalkOnsilkengroundAttheMarchtimewhenDayandnightareequalisedAndovertheleisurelypathsHeavywithgoldendreamsDrowsingbreezespass.

NowletmehaveFullofthedarklightAscentedglassSothatIrest;forsleepWouldbesweetamongshades.ItisnotgoodTohaveoursoulsEmptiedbymortalthinking.ButtalkIsgood,withoneanother,andtospeakTheheart’sopinionandtohearAbundantlyofdaysofloveAnddeedsthathavehappened.

Butwherearethefriends?BellarminWithhiscompanion?SomeAreshyofgoingtothesourceForrichesbeginInthesea.AndtheyLikepaintersbringtogetherThebeautiesoftheearthandtaketoWingedwariftheymustandliveInloneliness,yearsatatime,beneathTheleaflessmast,theirnightsNotlitbythecity’sholidaysNormusicnorthedancesofanativeplace.

ButnowthemenHavegonetothepeopleofIndiaPasttheairypointAndthevineyardhillsWheretheDordognecomesdownAndtogetherwiththesuperbGaronneaswideastheseaTheriverleaves.ButtheseaTakesmemoryandgivesitAndlove,too,busilyengagesourgazeButthepoetsfoundwhatlasts.

TheIster

Comenow,fire,ForweareravenousToseethedayAndwhentheproofHasflungustoourkneesWemayheartheforestsinuproar.WehavesungourwayfromtheIndusAlongwayandFromtheAlpheus,wehavesearchedYearsforwhatwouldserve.LackingwingsNoonecanreachacrossStraighttothenextAndcometotheotherside.Buthereweshallbuild.ForriversdigupTheland.AndwhenthingsgrowBythemandbeastsgodownTotheminsummertodrinkSopeoplemay.

TheycallthisrivertheIster.Hiscourseisbeautiful.Thecolumns’foliageBurnsandmoves.TheystanduprightInthewilds,together;andoverthem,Asecondmeasure,theroofJutsfromtherocks.SoIdonotwonderTheIsterinvitedHeraclesWhoshoneonOlympusFaroffandcameFromthehotIsthmusLookingforshade.DownthereTheywerefulloffirebutforthespiritsCoolnessisneededtoo,sohecamehereTothesesourcesofwaterAndtawnybanksAndthehighscentsandtheblacknessOffir-forestswhereinthedepthsAhunterstrolls

AtnoonandgrowthisaudibleIntheIster’sresinoustrees.

ButheseemsalmostReversingandMustcome,Ithink,FromtheEastAndmuchMightbesaidaboutthat.AndwhyDoesheclingtothehillsso?Theother,TheRhine,wentoffSideways.NeverfornothingDoriversruninthedrylands.Thenforwhat?Tobeasign,Nothingelse,aforthrightsign,andcarrythesunAndmooninseparablyinmindAndcontinuebydayandbynightandkeepThegodswarmtogether.ThatiswhyriversDelighttheAlmightytoo.HowelseCouldhecomedown?Andliketheearth’sgreenplacesTheyarethechildrenofheaven.Buthe,TheIster,seemstoopatient,Unfree,almostderisive.Forwhen

ThedayshouldstartInhisyouth,whenhebeginsTogrow,whentheothertherePusheshispridehighandgrindsthebitLikeacoltandtheairFormileshearshistumultHecontentshimself.ButrockneedsgashesAndtheearthfurrowsOrhowshouldweplantanddwell?ButwhatthisriverisdoingNobodyknows.

Mnemosyne(secondversion)

WeareasignwithnointerpretationPainlessweareandabroadHavealmostlostourlanguage.ForwhenovermankindThereisquarrellinginheavenandthemoonsGoviolently,theseaSpeakstooandriversMustseekthemselvesaway.ButOneThereiswithoutadoubt.HeCanchangeitanyday.HehardlyneedsLaw.Andtheleavesresound,theoaksmoveinthewindThenbesidethesnows.ForthegodsintheheavensCannotdoeverything.MortalsindeedReachsoonertotheabyss.SotheechoturnsWiththem.TimeIslongbutwhatistrueWillhappen.

Butthethingswelove?WeseeSunshineonthegroundanddrydustAnddeepwithshadowsthewoodsandthesmokeFlowersfromtheroofsabouttheoldcrownsOftowers,peaceably;andlostintheairThelarkstrillandunderthedaylightShepherdedforththesheepofheavengraze.AndsnowlikeliliesofthevalleyDenotingnoblenessWhereveritbeisshiningwithTheAlps’greenmeadowsHalfandhalfwhereSpeakingofthecrosssetforthedeadAlongthewayatravellerwentThesteeproadandTheotherwithhim,butwhatisthis?

AtthefigtreemyAchillesdied

AndAjaxliesBythecavesneartheseaBystreamsthatneighbourScamander.Thespiritboldinhiminaroaringofthewinds,afterHisnativeSalamis’sweetCustom,greatAjaxdiedabroadPatroclushoweverintheking’sarmour.Andothersdied,Manybesides.BytheirownhandsSad,many,wildinthesoul,butforcedtoBygodsintheend,buttheothersStandingintheirfate,inthefield.ForherilesthegodsWhowillnotcomposehimselfAndsparehissoul,althoughhemust.AndgriefLikewisegoeswrong.

Mnemosyne(thirdversion)

RipeanddippedinfireandcookedArethefruitsandprovedonearthandthelawnowisThateverythingenters,snake-like,Prophetically,dreamingonThehillsofheaven.AndthingsWantkeepinglikeAburdenoflogsontheshouldersAlotofthings.ButthepathsArewicked.TheimprisonedElementsandoldLawsoftheearthgowrongLikehorses.AndalwaysThereisalongingtodissolve.ButalotWantskeeping.Faith.Letuslookneitherbeforenorbehind,insteadBecradledasthoughOnthelakeinarockingboat.

Butthethingswelove?WeseeSunshineonthegroundanddrydustAndtheshadowsofthewoodsarehomelyandthesmokeFlowersfromtheroofsabouttheoldcrownsOftowerspeacefully.Theday’smarksaregoodWhensomethingofheavenHashurtoursoulswithcontradictions.ForsnowlikeliliesofthevalleyDenotingnoblenessWhereveritbeisshiningonTheAlps’greenmeadowsHalfandhalfwhereatravellerSpeakingofthecrosssetforthedeadHighontheroadRagesforwardfullOfthefarfutureAndtheotherwithhim,butwhatisthis?

Atthefigtreemy

AchillesdiedAndAjaxliesBytheseacavesBythestreamsthatneighbourScamander.Witharoaringinthetemplesonce,afterTheinvariablecustomofUnmovedSalamis,greatAjaxdiedabroad,Patroclusthoughintheking’sarmour.Andothersdied,Manybesides.ButonCithaeronlayEleutherae,Mnemosyne’scity.ShetoowhenGodPutoffhiscoatateveningShetooundidherhair.ForherilesthegodsWhowillnotcomposehimselfAndsparehissoul,eventhoughhemust.AndgriefLikewisegoeswrong.

Asbirdsslowlypassover…

AsbirdsslowlypassoverTheprinceofthemlooksaheadAndcoollyaroundHisbreastthehappeningswaftAndheisinsilencehighIntheairandbelowhimliesRichlyshiningthewealthofthelandsandwithhimareForthefirsttimehisyoungoneslookingforconquest.WithstrokesofhiswingshoweverHecalms.

Asuponseacoasts…

AsuponseacoastswhenthegodsBegintobuildandtheworkofthewavesShipsinunstoppablywaveAfterwave,insplendour,andtheearthAttiresherselfandthencomesjoyAsupreme,tunefuljoy,settingtheworktorights,SouponthepoemWhenthewine-godpointsandpromisesAndwiththedarlingofGreece,Seaborn,veilingherlooks,Thewavesbeachtheirabundance.

Andnobodyknows

LetmewalkmeanwhileAndpickwildberriesToquenchmyloveoftheearthOnherpaths

Herewhere–––andthethornsofroses

AndlimetreesscentingsweetlybyThebeeches,atnoon,whenintheduncornfieldGrowthrushesthroughthestraightstalksAndthecornbowssidewaysattheneckLikeautumn,butnowbeneaththehighVaultoftheoaks,whereIwonderAndaskupwards,thefamiliarbellStrikesfromadistanceGoldennotes,atthehourWhenthebirdswakeagain.Thisiswellbeing.

Forwhenthejuiceofthevine…

ForwhenthejuiceofthevineThemildgrowthlooksforshadeAndthegrapegrowsunderthecoolVaultingoftheleavesAstrengthtothemenSweet-smellingtothegirlsAndbeesDrunkonthescentofspringWhentheyaretouchedbythespiritofthesunHitherandthithertheychaseafteritDrivenbutwhenBeamsburntheyhomeWithahum,fullofpresentimentabovetheoakrustles,

Onpaleleaves…

OnpaleleavesThegraperests,thehopeofwine,soonthecheekTheshadowrestsofagoldenearringWornbyagirl.

AndI’mtostaysingleButthecalfEasilytanglesintheropeItbroke.

Workinghard

ButthesowerlovestoseeOnefallenasleepIndaylightOverherdarning.

AGermanmouthLackseuphonyButsweetlyOnapricklybeardArushofkisses.

Whenoverthevineyard…

WhenoverthevineyarditflamesAndblackascoalThevineyardlooksaroundthetimeOfautumnbecauseThepipesoflifebreathemorefierilyIntheshadowsofthevine.ButItisbeautifultounfoldoursoulsAndourshortlives

TotheMadonna

MuchhaveIsufferedonaccountofyouAndofyoursonOMadonnaSinceIheardofhimInmysweetyouth.FornotonlytheseerButthosewhoserve,theyalsoStandunderacommonfate.AndbecauseI

AndmanyasongthatIWasmindedtosingtotheHighest,TheFather,melancholyAtetonothinginme.

Still,Ladyofheaven,stillIWillcelebrateyouandnooneMustmindThelocalbeautyofMyspeakingWhileIwalkaloneIntothefieldswherewildAndfearlessthelilygrowsTotheancientvaultoftheforestHardtoreach,

theWest,

andoverhumankindInlieuofotherdivinityshe,All-forgettinglove,hasruled.

ForinthosedayswastobethebeginningWhen

BornfromyourwombThegod-childandnearhimThesonofyourfriend,byhisdumbfatherNamedJohn

TowhomwasgivenThepowerofthetongueTobeaboldinterpreter

AndthefearofthepeoplesandThethunderandThetumblingwatersoftheLord.

ForlawsaregoodbutLikedragon’steeththeycutAndkilllifewhenanunderlingOrakingsharpenstheminanger.ButequanimityisgivenToGod’sbest-beloved.Sotheydied.Both,andsoyouInyourstrongsoulgrievingasimmortalsgrieveSawthemdie.Andforthatreasondwell

andwhenintheholinessofnightWethinkofthefutureandareburdenedwithcaresForthosewhoaresleepingandhavenocaresThefreshlyblossomingchildrenYoucomesmilingandaskwhatwe,whereyouArequeen,needfear.

ForyouneverwereableToenvythebuddingdaysAndtoyouitisandalwayswasajoyIfthesonsaregreaterThantheirmothers.AnditneverpleasesyouWhenlookingbackTheoldderidetheyoung.WhodoesnotwithpleasurerememberThefatherhelovedAndwithpleasurespeakofhisdeeds,

butwhenoutrageousthingsoccurredAndungratefulmenhaveGivenoffenceTooreadilythenTheylooktoheaven

AndwaryofactingRemorsewithoutendandoldagehatesthechildren.

ThereforeourLadyInheavenprotectTheyoungplantsastheygrowandwhenThenorthwindcomesorpoisondewWaftsinorthedroughtoverstaysandwhenAttheirutmostfloweringtheyfallUnderthescythe’sSeveritygiverenewalofgrowing.AndmaythefreshgenerationNotsplittoomanywaysRunweakly,essayingtoomuchAndscatteritsstrengthbutbestrongTochooseoutofmanythebest.

Evilisnothing.LetoneGraspthatastheeagleGraspsitsprey.Theotherstoo.SotheywillnotConfusethenurseWhobringsthedaytobirthAndfalselyclingingTothehomelandandheedlessoftheweightSitforeverInthemother’slap.ForheIsgreatwhosewealththeywillinherit.He

AboveallspareThewildernessmadeBygodsanddecreedCleantotheirchildrentowalkinAmongtherocksastheypleaseHeatherlandsbloomInpurpleforyouLadyanddarkspringstooForyouandyoursonbutforTheothersalsoOrthegodswilltakebackwhatistheirsByforce,astheywouldfromserfs.

Onthefrontiers,however,whereTheKnochenbergstands,asitiscalledTodaybutintheoldtongueOssa,TeutoburgIsinthatplaceandthelandaroundAbundantinspiritedspringsandthereTheheavenlypowershaveallTemplesforthemselves

Anartisan

ButtouswhoThat

Andnottofearfeartoomuch!Fornotyou,graciouslady

butthereisAgrimracethatwillnotwillinglyListentoademigodnorwhenamonghumansorInwavesdivinityappears,shapeless,norhonourthecountenanceOfthepure,thenearTheomnipresentgod.

Buteveniftheunholyamultitudeandinsolent

ButwhataretheytoyouOsong,puresong,trueIShalldiebutyouGoyourdifferentway,invainEnvyseekstothwartyou.

AndwhenintimestocomeYoumeetwithagoodmanGreethimandhewillthinkHowindeedourdayshavebeen

Fullofhappinessandfullofsorrow.Goingfromonetoanother

ButafurtherthingWantssaying.ForalmostToosuddenlyHappinesswouldhavecometomeLonelysothatIatalossInthepossessionofitMighthaveturnedtotheshadowsForsinceyougaveMortalsatrialOftheshapesofgodsWhysayaword?SoIthought.ForwhoeverhusbandsThelightoflife,thenourishmentoftheheart,Hatesspeech.InagespastPoetswereindeedheaven’sinterpretersHavingtakenthatpowerfromthegods.

ButweforceunhappinessTosurrenderitscoloursandhangthemHighforthegodofvictory,theliberator,andonthataccounttooYousentriddles.TheyareholyTheyshine,butwhenthesepowersofheavenBecomeeverydayandmiraclesBegintoseemcommonplace,yeswhenTitanicprincesSeizetheMother’sgiftslikesomuchbootyThenahigherhelpisgivenher.

TheTitans

ButitisnotyetTime.TheyarestillNotleashed.Thespiritwillnotcometothosetakingnopart.ThenletthemreckonWithDelphi.MayIinleisurehoursmeanwhileSothatIrest,rememberThedead.ManyhavediedCommandersintheancientdaysLovelywomenandpoetsAndinthemodernManymenButIamalone.

andshippingintotheocean

AskthescentedislandsWheretheyhavegone.

ForthingsconcerningthemSurviveinfaithfulwritingsAndinthesagasofthetimes.Godrevealsmuch.ForthecloudsHavelongworkeddownwardsAndthesacredwilderness,nursingmanythings,hasrooted.Therichesarehot.Forthere’salackOfsongtoreleasethespirit.ItwoulddevourAndbeagainstitselfForneverwillheavenlyfireSufferimprisonment.

ButthereisjoyInafeastorwhenatafestivalEyesshineandwithpearlsAyoungwoman’sneck.Andgamesofchivalrytoo

anddownthegardenAlléesthememoryOfbattlecrashesandtheloudHeroicweaponryoftheancestorsLieshushedOntheslimbodiesofchildren.ButIamhummedaboutBybeesandwheretheploughmanMakeshisfurrowsthebirdsSingonthelight.HeavenHasmanyhelpers.ThepoetSeesthem.Goodtoholdontoothers.Fornoonecanbearlifealone.

ButwhenthebusydayIslitAndonthechainthatleadsThelightningdownTheheavenlydewOfthehourofrisingshinesThenfeelingclimbsHighinhumanstoo.SotheybuildhousesWorkstartsupAndshippingontherivers.AndmenandwomenoffertheirhandsTooneanother,giveandreceive,senseIsearthedandforgoodreasonthenTheeyesfixontheground.

ButyouhavealsoAdifferentwayoffeeling.ForinthemeasureTheremustbecoarsenesstooSothatpuritymayknowitself.Butwhen

AndintothedepthsSotheywillcomealiveHereacheswhoshakesalltheearthTheysupposeheaven’slordhimselfDescendstothedeadandviolentlyIntheunleashed

All-wittingabyssitdawns.ButIshouldnotliketosayThisfermentprovesTheforcesofheavenareweakeningButwhen

anditgoes

TothecrownoftheFather’sheadsothat

andthebirdofheavenIndicatesittohim.ThereuponHecomesinwondrousfury.

OnceIaskedtheMuseandshe…

OnceIaskedtheMuseandsheAnsweredmeAttheendyouwillfindit.Nomortalcangraspit.Iwillnotspeakofthehighest.Butforbiddenfruit,likethelaurel,isMorethananyotherthing,themotherland.ButleteveryoneTasteitlast,

BeginningandendArelargelydeceptive.ButthelastthingisThesignfromheaventhattears

andhumansAway.SurelyHeraclesFearedthat.ButsinceweArebornslothfulitneedsthefalconWhoseflightariderFollowswhenhehunts.

InthewhenAndtheprince

andfireandawelterofsmokeBlossomontheparchedgrassButunmixedthereFromstronglungs,balmInthebattle,issuesthevoiceoftheprince.

AnartistmakesvesselsAndtheyareboughtbutwhenItcomestothejudgementAndchastelythelipOfademigodhastouchedit

AndnevernowwillhegivehisdearestthingsTotheunfruitful,henceforthWhatisholyIstheretobeused.

Butwhentheheavenlypowers…

ButwhentheheavenlypowersHavebuilt,thereisStillnessonearthandtheastoundedmountainsStandshapely.TheirbrowsAremarked.FortheyweresmittenBytheThunderer’sshudderinglightningsWhilehisownforthrightdaughterUngentlyheldhimAndtheturmoilthen,quenchedFromabove,smellssweet.WherenowindwellinghereandthereThefirestandsQuietened.FortheThundererPoursoutjoyandwouldalmostHaveforgottenheavenInapassionthen,hadnotWisdomwarnedhim.AndnowitblossomsInpoorplaces.AndwonderfullytallItdesirestostand.MountainshanglakeWarmdepthandthebreezescoolIslandsandheadlandsCaves,topray,

AshiningshieldAndswiftly,likeroses

orthereiscreationOfotherkindstooMuchsprouting

ofenviousluxuriantWeeds,theydazzle,shootupGawky,faster,fortheCreatorJests,whichtheyDonotunderstand.Tooangrily

Itreachesoutandgrows.AndlikethefireThatdevourshouses,itleapsuphighWithoutheeding,andleavesnoroomAndcoversthepathsFermentingfarandwide,aboilingcloud

thehaplesswilderness.Soitmayseemtheworkofagod.ButThroughthegardenslinksyourfearfulGuestwithouteyesMadness.ForthewayoutWillhardlybediscoverednowbyanyoneWithcleanhands.Hegoes,sentAndseeks,liketheanimals,Whatisnecessary.AmanItistrue,withhisarmsFilledwithpresentimentmayHitonthegoal.ForwhereTheheavenlypowersneedahedgeorasignTopointtheirwayOraplacetobatheThereintheheartsofmenItstirslikefire.

ButtheFatherHasotherswithhimtoo.ForabovetheAlps,Becausethepoets,SotheywillexplicateMorethantheirfuriousselves,Muststeerbytheeagle,Abovethatbird’sflightaroundthethroneOfthegodofjoyAndcoveringtheabyssforhimDwellthose,theprophets,whointhehurtlingtimesAroundthebrowsofmenarelikeayellowfireForwhichtheyareenviedbyThefear-lovingShadesinHell,

ButtheseThecleansingHeraclesOpeningacleardestinyDrovefromtheholy

TablesoftheearthAndhimselfstillpureinheartHeabideswiththeRulerevennow,andbringingbreathTheDioscuriascendanddescendStepsoutofreachwhenfromtheheavenlycitadelThemountainsgointothedistanceAtnightandlikewiseThetimesOfPythagoras

ButPhilocteteslivesinthememory,

TheyhelptheFather.Fortheywantrest.ButwhenTheuselessbusynessOftheearthprovokesthemandfromTheheavenlypowersistaken

thesenses,burningTheycomethen,

Thebreathless———

ForthegodDeepinthought,detestsUntimelygrowth.

Butformerly,FatherZeus…

Butformerly,FatherZeus

Because

Now,however,youhavefoundOthercounsels

TerriblethereforeovertheearthDiana,huntress,walksandangrilyTheLordliftsoverusHiscountenancebrimmingwithNoendofsigns.TheseameanwhileSighswhenhecomes

OhwoulditwerepossibleTosparemymotherland

Notall-too-timidly,though,

ItwouldbutratherLetmylifebenotasitoughttobeandpassawayWiththeFuries.ForabovetheearthViolentpowersaremovingAndtheirdestinyseizesWhoeversuffersitandwatchesAndseizestheheartsofthepeoples.

ForeverythingademigodorahumanMustgraspinthemeasureofhissufferingWhohears,alone,orbeingHimselftransformed,distantlysensesThehorsesoftheLord,

TheEagle

Myfathertravelled,hewasonTheGotthardwhereTheriversgodownandwentAslanttoEtruriaandalsoStraightwaysoverthesnowToOlympusandHaemusAndwhereAthoscastsItsshadowatthecavesofLemnos.ButcameinthefirstplaceFromtheInduswithmymotherAmongthespiceforests.ButourfirstfatherHewasasharp-eyedkingWhocrossedtheseaShakinghisgoldenheadAtthemysteryofthewatersAsthecloudssteamedredAbovetheshipandthebeastsLookeddumblyatoneanotherAndwantedfoddering,butThehillsindeedstandstill:Whereshallwestay?

WehavetherocksForpasture,thedrylandsTodrinkandforourmeatWehavethewet.Whowantsadwelling-placeLetitbebystepsAndwherealittlehousehangsdownRestbythewaterAndwhatyouhaveIstodrawbreathAndsleeprestoresWhatyoudrewupByday.ForwhereTheeyesarecoveredand

ThefeetareboundThereyouwillfindit.Wherewillyousee,

Nearestandbest(thirdversion)

thewindowsofheavenbeingopenedAndthenightspiritunleashed,ThestormerofheavenwhohasswayedourlandWithtongues,manyandungovernable,AndshuntedRubbletillnow.ButcomethethingIwantIfSolikethestarlingsWithaclamourofjoywheninGascony,placeswithmanygardens,WhenintheolivecountryandSomewheresweetlyforeignFountainsalonggrassywaysThetreesunknowinginthedesertThesunstabsAndtheheartoftheearthOpenswhereroundThehillofoaksOutofaburninglandTheriversandwhereOnSundaysamiddancingThethresholdsarehospitableOnroadsslungwithblossom,goingquietly.FortheysensehomeWhenstraightoutofpalestoneThewaterstricklesilverAndgreenshowsHoly,onwetfieldsinCharente

Husbandingtheircleversenses.butwhenTheairmakeswayAndthenorth-eastwindblowingsharpQuickenstheireyes,theyliftAndpointtopointSpyingthingsdearertothemFortheykeepalwaysexactlytowhatisnearest

TheyseethesacredwoodsandtheblossomingscentedflameOfgrowthandthecloudsofsonginthedistanceandbreathethebreathOfsongs.ThisisUnderstoodhumanly.ButthegodstooHavesomethingofthisinthemandinthemorningtheywatchThehoursandeveningthebirds.ItisThegods’waytoo.Wellthen.IntheformertimeOfsecrecyIshouldasanaturalthinghavesaidTheyarecoming,inGermany.ButnowbecausetheearthIsliketheseaandthelandslikemenWhoalmostcannotpassbyoneanotherorbetogetherWithoutscoldingwords,Isay:westerlywell-wroughtFromtheOberlandthemountainsbendwhereonhighmeadowsthewoodsborderTheBavarianplain.AndthemountainsGofarandstretchbehindAmbergandTheFranconianhills.Thisisfamous.NotfornothingWastherangebentfromthemountainsofitsyouthAnddirectedHome.FortheAlpsareawildernesstoitandThemountainsdividethevalleysandalongtheirlengthGoovertheearth.Butthere

Thatmaysufficenow.AlmostimpurelyletitselfandthebowelsoftheearthBeseen.ButatIliumAlsotherewasthelightofeagles.Butinthemid-timeTheheavenofsong.ButclosebyAngryoldmenontheshore,oftheoutcome,thatis.AllthreeAreours.

Tinian

SweettostrayInasacredwilderness,Andtowanderwhereyouwill,timeless

forlike

Chariot-racingorLikewild-beastcombat,asbirthmarkShowingwhatmannerofchildrenTheWesternersare,thegodshavedecreedusThisbright-as-a-falconornament;

Thereareflowers

NotspawnedbytheearthTheysprangofthemselvesfromaloosegroundAnsweringabeamoftheday,itisnotFittingtopluckthemFortheystandgoldenNotpreparedYes,eventheleaflessLikethoughts,

And,okindlyspirit,attheshe-wolf’sdugsOfthewatersthatthroughThishomelandofmineStray,

,morewildlyonceAndnowaccustomed,todrink,likefoundlingsInspringwheninthegrove’sWarmgroundforeignwingsreturning

restinginsolitude,AndonPalmSundaybranchesSweetsmellingWithbutterfliesThebeescometogetherAndonyourAlps

DividedbyGod

Zoneoftheworld,

truetheystand

Armed,

Andtofeelthelives…

AndtofeelthelivesOfthedemigodsorthepatriarchs,sittingInjudgement.NotthateverywhereTheygounheeded,butlife,hummingwithheat,alsoechoesofshadeAsthoughgatheredToaburningpoint.Goldendesert.Orwell-keptlikethesteelthatlightsThelife-warmhearth,thenightstrikessparksthenfromthewhetstoneOfthedayandaroundduskstillAluteisplaying.Thehunt’sgunshotsSpitatthesea.Butthegypsywomansits,bare-breastedForeversinging,thepainsofhardshipinherlimbsIntheforestatthefire.DenotingatrueknowledgeOftheplanet’scloudsandseasInScotlandthenasatthelakeInLombardyastreamrushesby.SoboysaccustomedTolifeasfreshaspearlswillplayaroundthefiguresOfthemastersorofthecorpses,orthusaroundthecrownsofthetowersThegentleswiftsrush,screaming.

No,intruth,daylightIsnomakerOfhumanforms.Butfirst

Anoldthought,scienceElysium.

andlostloveOfthetournamentshorses,shyanddamp

Wherewebegan…

WherewebeganitwasTheabyss,wewentLikethelionvexedanddoubtfulFormenhavesharpersensesinThedesertFire,theyareDrunkwithlightandthespiritofbeastsIswiththem.ButsoonmyvoiceWillgoaboutlikeadogintheheatofthedayInthelanesbehindgardenswherepeopleliveInFranceThecreatorButFrankfurt,tospeakofitafterman’sTheprintofnature’sShapeisthisEarth’snavel,thesetimestooAretimeandcolouredGerman.ButabovetheslopeofmygardensThereisawildhill.Cherrytrees.ButasharpbreathwaftsAroundtheholesoftherocks.AndhereIamAndeverythingwithme.ButatreebendsAmiraculousslimnut-treeOverthewater-sourcesandBerrieslikecoralHangonthebranchesoverwoodenpipesFromwhichOfcornonce,but,toconfessitnow,theassuredsongofflowerswhenNewculturefromthetownwhereTothepointofpaininthenostrilsThesmelloflemonsrisesandoiloutofProvenceandthisGratitudetheGasconlandsGaveme.But,stilltobeseen,whattamedandnourishedmewasThepleasureofrapiersandroastmeatonthefeastdaysThetableandswarthygrapes,swarthy

andgleanme,oYoublossomsofGermany,myheartwillbeTrustworthycrystalonwhichLighttestsitselfwhenGermany

…theVatican…

theVatican,HereweareinthesolitudeAnddownbelowthebrothergoes,andadonkeytoofollowingthebrownveilButwhentheday,becauseofthemockery,seeinggoodinallthingsMakesdestinies,sincefromtheGoddessNature’srage,asaknighthassaidofRome,insuchPalacesnowadaysmucherrorwalksandknowingthekeysofallsecretsBadconsciencesaskquestionsAndmeanwhilethespiritofJuliuswhochangedThecalendarandoverthereinWestphaliaMyhonestmaster.ItisentrustedtousTokeepGodpureandwithdiscriminationLest,becausemuchhangsOnthis,toatone,overanerrorinThesignGod’sjudgementcome.OhdoyounolongerknowhimThemasteroftheforestandtheyouthinthewildernesswhoNourisheshimselfonhoneyandlocusts?Stillnessofspirit.Women

UpthereperhapsOnMonte,sidewaystooperhapsIhavestrayeddownThroughtheTyrol,Lombardy,Loretto,wherethepilgrim’shome

ontheGotthard,hedged,casuallyinthemidstofglaciersHehashisfrugaldwellingwherethebirdWiththedownofaneider,apearloftheseaAndtheeaglestrikesitsaccentbeforeGodwherethefirerunsonaccountofhumanbeingsButthewatchman’shornsoundsovertheguardsMajestically,chastelyThecraneholdsuprightoverthereInPatmos,theMorea,inthepestilentialair.Turkish.Andtheowlwell-knowninscriptureSpeakslikehoarsewomenindestroyedcities.ButThesepreservethesense.OftenlikeaconflagrationComesconfusionoftongues.ButlikeashipLyingintheharbour,atevening,whenthechurchtower’sBellringsanditechoesbelowInthebowelsofthetempleandthemonk

AndtheshepherdsaygoodbyeaftertheirwalkAndApollo,likewiseFromRoma,fromsuchpalaces,saysFarewell!Andthat,anuncleanbitterness,iswhy!Comesthenthebridalsongofheaven.Peaceaccomplished.Goldenred.AndtheribsOfthesandyballoftheearthresoundintheexplicitArchitectureoftheworkofGod,ingreennightAndspirit,trulyinthewholeproportionsOfthecolumns’order,togetherwiththecentreAndwithshining

Greece(firstversion)

Waysofthetraveller!Forthetrees’shadowsAndhills,sunny,whereThewayleadsTothechurch,

laburnum,likearainofarrowsAndtreesstandslumberingbutStepbystepcomesthesunButjustasitburnsHotteroverthemistsofthetownsSoitrisestooOverthewallshungwithlaburnum

ForlikeivyhavingnobranchesThelaburnumhangs.ButmorebeautifullyTheroadsblossomfortravellers

intheopenchangeslikecornAvignon,woody,overtheGotthardThehorsefeelsitsway,laurelsRustlearoundVirgiliusand,soThesunwillnotsearchInanunmanlyfashion,hisgrave.MossrosesGrowIntheAlps.FlowersbeginOutsidethegatesofthetown,onthelevelledwayswithoutfavourLikecrystalsgrowinginthewasteofthesea.GardensgrowaroundWindsor.InhighstyleTheKing’scoachDrawsoutofLondon.Lovelygardensfeeltheseason.AlongtheChannel.ButdeepLiesthelevelocean,glowing.

Greece(apartofthesecondversion,lines13-21)

ForNatureStilllives.ButwhenalltookeenlyUnrestraintlongsfordeathHeavenfallsasleep,andGod’sloyalty,Goodsenseiswanting.ButasthedanceToaweddingAlsotohumblethingsAgreatbeginningmaycome.

Greece(thirdversion)

Oyou,voicesofdestinyandyou,thetraveller’swaysForontheblueoftheschoolFromfaraway,ontheriotoftheskySoundsliketheblackbird’ssongThecheerfulmoodandmusicofthecloudsTunedbyGod,hisbeinginthestorm.Andshouts,likealookingoutToimmortality,andheroes;Manymemories.WhenthereuponRinginglikethecalf’shideEarth,comingfromdesolations,temptationsofthesaintsForinthebeginningtheworkisshapedAndproceedsinaccordancewithgreatlaws,scienceAndtendernessandfarandwidetheheavens’wholecoveringafterwardsCloudsofsongappear,singing.ForthenaveloftheearthIsfast.BoundwithinshoresofgrassareTheflamesandthecommonElements.Butaboveasofutterconsciousnesstheaetherlives.ButoncleardaysThelightIssilver.AsasignofloveViolet-bluetheearth.AlsotohumblethingsAgreatbeginningmaycome.Everydaybutwonderful,topleasemankindArethegarmentsGodputson.AndhiscountenancehidesfromunderstandingsAndartfullycoverstheairs.AndairandtimecoverTheterrorofhimsothatnooneWithprayers,northesoulherselfWilllovehimtoomuch.ForlikeleavesOrlinesandanglesnaturehaslongbeenopenTolearnAndyellowerthesunsandthemoonsAttimeshoweverWhentheearth’soldcultureLookstobeending,instories,thatis

Thathavecometopass,fightingbravely,asGodLeadsearthtotheheights.ButhelimitsRashstridesbutthenlikeblossomGoldenthesoulclosesoverherpowersandaffinitiesSothatbeautyishappierToliveonearthandoneoranotherspiritComesmorecommunallyamongpeople.

SweetthentoliveunderthehighshadowsoftreesAndhills,sunnily,wherethewayIspavedtothechurch.ButfortravellerswhomFortheloveoflife,alwaysmeasuring,Thefeetobey,thewaysBlossommorebeautifullywherethecountry

Severedandatadistancenow…

SeveredandatadistancenowandinThepastifIwereablestilltoshowyouSomethinggoodandyouwithasorrow

Equallingmineshouldyoustillknowmyface

Thensayhowmightsheexpecttofindyounow,Yourfriend:inthegardenswherewemetagainAftertheterrorandthedarkor

Herebytheriversoftheunspoiltworld?

Iwillsaythis:therewassomegoodinyoureyesWheninthedistancesyoulookedaboutyouCheerfullyforoncewhowereaman

Alwaysclosedinhislooksandwithadark

Aspect.Thehoursflowedaway.HowquietIwasatheartthinkingofthetruthwhichisHowseparateIwouldhavebeen,but

YesIwasyoursthenandItoldyouso

WithoutadoubtandnowyouwillbringandwriteAllthefamiliarthingsbackintomindWithlettersandithappenstome

ThesameandIwillsayallofthepast.

Wasitspringorsummer?Thenightingale’sSweetsinginglivedwiththeotherbirdsthatwereNotfarawayamongthebushes

Andtreesweresurroundinguswiththeirscents.

Onclearpathways,walkingamonglowshrubsOnsand,wethoughtmorebeautifulthananywhereAndmoredelightfulthehyacinths,

Thetulips,violetsandcarnations.

Ivyonthewalls,andalovelygreenDarknessunderthehighwalks.InthemorningsAndtheeveningswewerethereand

Talked,andlookedatoneanother,smiling.

InmyarmstheboyrevivedwhohadbeenstillDesertedthenandcameoutofthefieldsAndshowedmethem,withsadness,butthe

Namesofthoserareplacesheneverlost

AndeverythingbeautifulthatflowersthereOnblessedseaboardsinthehomelandthatILoveequally,orhiddenaway

Andonlytobeseenfromhighabove

AndwheretheseaitselfcanbelookeduponButnobodywill.Letbe.AndthinkofherWhohassomehappinessstillbecause

Oncewewerestandinginthelightofdays

BeginningwithlovingdeclarationsorOurtakinghands,toholdus.Suchpitynow.Thatwasourbeautifuldaytimebut

Sorrowfultwilightfollowedafterit.

Youweresoaloneinthebeautifulworld,Beloved,howoftenyoutoldme!ButyouCannotknowyouwere…

Ihaveenjoyed…

Ihaveenjoyedthepleasantthingstheworldcouldshow,Thehoursofmyyouthwentbysolong,solongago,ThemonthsofApril,MayandJunehavegone,I’mnothingnow,Idon’tlikelivingon.

Whenoutofheaven…

WhenoutofheavenbrighterandbrighterjoyPoursdown,happinesscomestohumanbeings,Visiblethingsareawonderthen

Andhigherthingsandthingsthatgladdenus

Andaholysingingwithit,delightful,AndtheheartlaughingandsingingatthetruthForthejoythereisinapicture–

Overthebridgethesheeparebeginning

Theirtrail,almostintothedimmingwoods.ThemeadowshoweverthatnowwithpuregreenArecoveredarelikethatcommonland

Whichintheordinarywayisnear

Wherethedarkwoodis.ThereinthemeadowstooThesesheeparesojourning.ThetopsofthehillsAroundarenakedheightsexceptfor

Somecoverofoaksandsinglepinetrees.

WherethelivelyripplesoftheriverareSothatapersoncomingalongthatpathLooksatthemgladly,thegentleshapes

Ofthehillsascendandthevineyards,high.

True,stepscomedownfromhighupunderthevines,AblossomingfruittreestandingoverthemAndscentstilllingersonwildhedges

Wherethevioletsputforthinhiding;

WatershowevertrickledownandsoftlyArustlingisaudiblealldaylongthereButthedwellingplacesthereabouts

Restandaresilentthroughtheafternoon.

Spring

WhennewjoyquickensinthefieldsandhowThingslookagainbecomesbeautifulandonThemountainswherethetreesaregreening

Lighterbreezesshowthemselvesandclouds

Whathappinesspeoplehavethen,thelonelyWalktheriverbankscheerfully,peaceofmind,Zestandgoodhealthopenlikeflowers,

Friendlylaughterisalsonotfaroff.

Ahappylife

LetmeoutintothemeadowOutintothefieldsasnowHereI’mtameagainandpiousSeemunhurtbythornsandbriarsAndmycloakflapsinthebreezeAndthemerryspiritenquiresWhataninnerbeingisTillthedayitvanishes.

Seeingthispicture,kindontheeye,SeeingthesetreesstandleafygreenLikerefreshment,likeaninnsignIcanscarcelypassthemby.Peace,yousee,aquietday,Seemsanexcellentthingtome.NeveraskmewhyIsayso,I’mnotheretoansweryou.

However,totheprettybrookIshallfindapathIlikeOnethatramblesundercoverWildlydownthebankdeepdownWherethefootbridgecrossesoverClimbsthenthroughthelovelytreesWherethefootbridgefeelsthebreezeTheretheeyeslookupandshine.

Onthehillupthere,uphighManyanafternoonIlie,HearthewindgothroughthebranchesHeartheclocktowerstrikingtime.ContemplationgivestheheartPeace,forsothepictureis,SoothestheillsthatIhavewroughtCunninglyuntiltheyrhyme.

Blessedlandscape,wheretheroadgoesThroughthemiddleverylevel

Therethemoon,thewhitemoon,showsThroughtheeveningcomesawindNaturethereisverysimpleNoblytherethemountainsstandHomeatlastIgoandtryThegoldenwinethatIlaidby.

Thewalk

LovelythewoodseithersideSteeplydepictedgreenAndIpassinbetweenWithpeacenowsweetlypaidForeverystabintheheartAnddarknessinthehead,TheharmthatthinkingdidAndartfromtheverystart.DearimagesinthevalleyForexample,gardenandtreeAndthenthebridge,sonarrowAndtheriver,hardtosee,Howlovelyfromfaraway,Wherejoyis,theimageshowsOfthelanditmakesmehappyTovisitonquietdays.ThefriendlyblueofheavenStartsusonourwayThencloudsareaddedinLikedomesinshapeandgreyAndthundercomesandlightningThatsearsandquickenstheearthWithbeautywellingforthFromwheretheimagesspring.

Thechurchyard

Youquietplace,greeningwiththeyounggrassAndcrossesstandandmenandwomenliethereAndfriendsgooutandareconductedwhereWindowsareandshiningwithbrightglass.

Whenonyoushinestheheavens’liftedlampAtnoontherewhenthespringwilllingeronWhentherethespiritcloud,thegrey,thedampWhensoftlydaywithbeautyhurriesandisgone.

HowquietitisatthatgreywallAndoverwhichatreewithfruitsishangingWithblackanddewyfruitsandfoliageinmourning.Theclusteringofthefruitsisverybeautiful.

ThechurchhasadarkquietnessinsideAndthealtartoointhisnighthardlyshowsAndintherearesomelovelythingsbesideButmanycricketssinginthesummermeadows.

Andwhenonelistenstotheminister’saddressAndwhilethehostoffriendsisstandingnearWiththedeadman,whatanownlifeishereAndwhataspirit,whatuntroubledgodliness.

Notalldays…

NotalldayshewillcallthebestofdayswhoWisheshewerebackwherehappinesswaswhereFriendslovedhim,wherefellowhumans

Overtheboylingeredawhile,kindly.

Spring

HowblessedtoseethedawnofdaysagainWhenpeopleinthefieldslookroundcontentedlyWhenpeopleaskhowyouaregettingonWhenpeopleshapethemselvestolivinghappily.

JustasthecurvedskystretchesfarandwideSojoytoothenonplainsintheopenairWhenheartshungerforlifetoberenewedComessingingthen,comesthesongbirds’screamingchoir.

AmanwhooftenhasaskedhimselfquestionsThenspeaksoflifefromwhichourspeechissuesUnlesshissouliseatenatbysorrowsAmanlookscheerfullyonwhatheowns.

Whenahouseissplendid,builthighintheskies,FieldsforamanareroomierandwaysFarout,soonemanturnstolookAndwell-builtbridgesgoacrossthebrook.

Autumn

ThestoriesthatareleavingearththatareAboutthespiritthatwashereandwillreturnTheyturnourwayagainandwecanlearnMuchfromtimethatwastesfasterandfaster.

ThepicturesofthepastarenotforgottenByNaturewheninhighsummerthedaysGowhite,autumncomesdowntoearthagain,Againtheghostofcoldisintheskies.

Inabriefwhilemanythingshaveended,TheploughmanwhowasvisibleattheploughHeseestheyeardeclininggladlynow,Withpicturessuchastheseourdaysarerounded.

TheballoftheearthwithrockforornamentIsnotlikeeveningcloudthatfadesaway,ItmakesitselfseenwithagoldendayAndinperfectionthereisnocomplaint.

Spring

Thenewdaycomesdownfromthefarmountains,Themorningwakeningisoutoftwilight,Adornedandcheerful,anditsmilesathumans,Itpierceshumans,gently,withdelight.

Anewlifeforthefutureisunveiling,Withblossom,signofhappydays,Thewidevalley,theearthseemstobefilling,Andfarawaywhenspringtimecomesgriefgoes.

ObedientlyyoursScardanelli

3March1648

TouswithimagestheopendayisbrightWhenfromtheleveldistancegreennessshows,BeforetheeveninglightinclinestotwilightAndhazesgentlydampthesoundsofday.Oftentheinnernessoftheworldseemsclouded,closed,Themindsofpeoplefullofdoubts,morose,SplendidlyNaturebrightensuptheirdaysAnddoubt’sblackquestionstandssomewayaway.

ObedientlyyoursScardanelli

24March1671

Inalovelyblue

Inalovelybluethechurchspirewithitsmetalcladdingflowers.Arounditgothescreamsoftheswifts,arounditliesthemosttouchingblue.Highoveritclimbsthesunandcoloursthemetal,butabove,inthewinds,theweathercockcrowsquietly.Ifanyonegoesdownthenunder the bells, down those steps, life has stillness then, because, when shapes are soseparate,theplasticityofmanemerges.Thewindows,throughwhichthebellsaresounding,arelikegatesintheirbeauty.Forsincegatesareafternaturestilltheyhavetheappearanceoftreesoftheforest.Butpurityisbeautytoo.Inside,fromavariety,anearnestspiritarises.Butsosimplearetheimages,soveryholy,thattrulyoneisoftenfearfulofdescribingthem.But the heavenly gods,who are always kind, all together, they own like kingdoms these:virtueandjoy.Amanmayimitatethat.Mayaman,whenlifeisalltoil,lookupandsay:Itoowill be like that?Hemay.So long as friendliness, pure friendliness, still lasts in theheartamanmaymeasurehimselfnotunhappilywiththeGodhead.IsGodunknown?Isheasapparent as the sky? The latter, I should say. It is man’s measure. Full of merit, butpoetically,manlivesonthisearth.Buttheshadowofthenightwiththestars,ifIcouldsayitthus,isnotpurerthanman,whoiscalledanimageofGod.

Isthereameasureonearth?Thereisnone.FortheCreator’sworldsneverslowdownthecourseofthethunder.Evenaflowerisbeautiful,sinceitflowersunderthesun.Ofteninlifetheeyefindslivingthingsthatmightbecalledmuchmorebeautifulthantheflowers.Oh,Ihaveknownthatverywell.Fortobleedatheartandinone’sshapeandwhollyceasetobe,isthatpleasingtoGod?Butthesoul,asIbelieve,mustremainpure,ortheeaglewithsongsofpraiseandthevoicesofsomanybirdswillreachtothesourcesofpower,onwings.Itisthe being of things, it is their shape. Beautiful brook, how touching you seem, rollingsoclearly, like theeyeofGod, throughtheMilkyWay.Iknowyouwellenough,but tearsstart from the eye. I see a cheerful life flowering around me in the shapes of creation,because, with some justice, I compare it to the lonely pigeons in the churchyard. Butpeople’s laughter seems to grieve me, for I have a heart. Should I like to be a comet?PerhapsIwould.Fortheyhavethespeedofbirds;theirfireissuchthattheyflowerandforpuritytheyarelikechildren.Humannaturecouldnotpresumetowishforanythinggreater.And the good humour of virtue deserves to be praised by the earnest spirit that blowsbetweenthethreepillarsinthegarden.Abeautifulgirlmustcrownherheadwithflowersofmyrtlebecauseinhernatureandinherfeelingsshehassimplicity.ButtherearemyrtlesinGreece.

Whenamanlooksinthemirrorandseeshisimagethere,asifinaportrait;itlookslikethe

man.Theimageofthemanhaseyes;themoon,ontheotherhand,light.KingOedipushasaneye toomany perhaps. These sufferings of thisman, they seem indescribable, unsayable,inexpressible.Ifthatiswhattheplaydepicts,thatisthereason.ButwhatdoIfeelifIthinkofyounow?Iampulledasstreamsarebytheendingofsomething–somethingthatexpandslikeAsia. Suffering of that sortOedipus had, of course.Naturally that is the reason.DidHerculessuffertoo?Indeedhedid.AndtheDioscuriintheirfriendship,didtheynotbearsomesufferingtoo?FortoquarrelwithGod,asHerculesdid,thatissuffering.Andintheenvy of this life to share one’s immortality, that is suffering too. But to be covered infreckles,tobecoveredalloverwiththem,thatisasortofsufferingtoo.Thebeautifulsunistoblameforthat:itbringseverythingout.Thesunencouragestheyoungmenalongtheirwaywithitsbeamsaswithroses.ThesufferingsOedipusboreareasifapoormanwerecryingthatsomethingwaswrong.SonofLaius,poorstrangerinGreece!Lifeisdeath,anddeathtooisalife.

TRANSLATIONSFROMTHEGREEK

ChorusfromSophocles’OedipusatColonus

AmongthefinesteadingsOfthislandrichinhorsesOnColonus’whitegroundYouhavearrivedOstrangertothesepartsWherethereturningnightingalePiercinglylamentsAmongthegreenbushesAndthevaultsofdarkivyAndthegod’simpenetrablefoliageFruitful,sunlessThatnostormwindagitates.ButherethebacchanticDionysuswhodwellsamongThenurturinggoddessesComesandgoesandhereOnthescentsofheaventhenarcissiLifttheirlovelyclustersdaybydayThataretheancientgarlandsOfthegreatgoddessesWiththecrocus,shininggold.NordothesleeplessspringsthatpartIntothewatersofCephissusEverdwindle,butalwaysanddailyOverthefieldscomesthequickbegetterWithpureshowersofrainOverthebosomoftheearth.NordothechoirsoftheMusesnorDoesgoldenAphroditeshunthisplace.

FromEuripides’Bacchae

Icome,thesonofJove,hereintotheThebanlandDionysus,borninaformertimeofCadmus’daughterSemele,fatheredonherbythethunder’sfireAndtakingahumanshapeinsteadofagod’sIamamongDirce’swoodsandIsmenus’waters.IseethetombofmymotheronwhomthelightningfellThereclosebythehouses,IseetheruinedhallsThesmoking,stillliving,flamesofdivinefireHera’severlastingviolenceagainstmymother.ButIpraisethegoodmanCadmuswhointhefieldherePlantedafigtreeforhisdaughter.IhaveencircleditWiththevine-stock’sscentofgrapesandgreeneryAndfarfromthegold-filledcountryoftheLydiansThePhrygians’andthePersians’landthatthelightstrikesNearBactra’swalls,throughthestormyfieldsOftheMedes,throughArabiacalledthefortunateAndtraversingallofAsiathatonthesaltyWatersliesforthemboth,GreeksandbarbariansMingledastheyareandrichincitieswithlovelytowersSoIcameherefirstintoaGreekcityTobringmychoraldanceandtoinstituteMymystery,thatIshallbevisible,aspirit,tomen.FirstinThebeshereinthelandoftheGreeksIhaveraisedtheshoutsofjoy,seizingthedeerskins.

ChorusfromSophocles’Antigone

Muchthereisthatismighty.ButnothingIsmightierthanman.ForherovesthegreyseasInstormysoutherliesInwingeddwellingsIntheroarandrushofthewaves.TheholyearthofthegodsThepure,theeffortlessearthHeworksitoveryearuponyearDrivingtheraceofhorsestoandfroAndthelightlymovingplough.

ForthelightlylivingfamilyofbirdsHelayssnares,hehuntsthemAndthewildraceofthebeastsAndthesalt-seatribeWithcunninglytwistedcordsMan,withhislore.Commandsbyhisarttheland’sWildcreaturesthatwanderthemountains.AroundtheneckandthemaneofthesteedHeflingsayokeandlikewisethewildTheuntamedbull.

FromSophocles’OedipusatColonus

ANTIGONE.Myfather,poorOedipus,thetowersherecastshadowsAroundthecity,sothattotheeyesitseemsdistant.Theplace,however,asmaywellbethought,isholy.Itrustleswithlaurelsandwiththeoliveandthevine.Init,denselyflocking,nightingalessoundsweet.Anditbendsitslimbsupthehardrockandaround.

–––––––

OEDIPUS.Whatmannerofplaceisthis?Whichgoddoesitbelongto?

TRAVELLER.Untouchable,uninhabitable.FortheshyGoddesseshaveit,maidensoftheearthandofthenight.

OEDIPUS.Whoarethey?TheirpurenameIshouldliketohear.

TRAVELLER.Theywhoseeallthings,theEumenides.SosayThepeoplehere.Otherthingsarelovelyelsewhere.

OEDIPUS.MaytheybegraciousandtakeinthissupplicantThatneverfromthisabode,thisground,Ishalldepart.

TRAVELLER.Whatisthis?

OEDIPUS.Veryessenceofmyfate.

TRAVELLER.ButItospeakBeforethetown,doublyIdonothavetheboldnessTillIhaveletbeknownwhatIamdoing.

OEDIPUS.Herebythegods,ostranger,donotratemelightly,Suchamanastray,whenIhavethewishtospeak.

TRAVELLER.Speak.Youwillhavefrommenodisrespect.

OEDIPUS.Whatmannerofplaceisthisthenwhereweare?

TRAVELLER.AsmuchasIknowmyselfyouwillhearallofit.ThewholezonehereaboutsisholyandthepurePoseidonhasit.WithinhoweverIsthefirebringer,thegod,theTitanPrometheus.Butwhereyoutread,theplaceiscalledThebronze-footedpathofthiscountry,TheshieldofAthens.

FromSophocles’Ajax

AJAX.Ahnight,mylight,oErebusshiningatmeTakeme,takeMehometoyou,takeme.ForNottotheraceofgodsnoramongEverydaymenamIFittolookforahelp.ButIamthrashedTodeathbyZeus’Terriblegoddess.Wheremustonefleeto,Thatbeingso,whereshallIgoAndstay?Whenitwithersthisside,dearones,AndIliewhollyotheredAndwildlyoutofmymind.ButletallthearmyfrombothsidesKillmewiththeirhands.

TECMESSA.Unhappywoman.ThatsuchamanofsenseLetsgo.Heneverdaredbefore.

AJAX.Ostreamsthatenterthesea,ocavesbythesea,andyouMygrovethathangsovertheshoreAlonglongtimeYouheldmeup,atTroy,Nownomore,nomoreDrawingbreath.LetamanCometohissenseshereandremember.Alas,bytheScamander,streamsKindtotheArgivesOneofusyouwillneverSeeagain,IspeakBigwords:likehimTroysawnootherinthehostThatcamefromGreeceAndmystatenowIsalldishonourable.

[Lines394-427]

CHORUS.FamousSalamis,somewhere

Youdwellamongthesea-waves,fortunate,Andanyonemayfindyou.ButIhavesufferedAlongtimenowAsameandcountlesstimeOnIdaonthegrassypasturesTimehasbeeneatingmeandIentertainBadhopesthatsoonI’llchasemyelusivedeathToearthinHell.Ihaveanewenemy,hisname:Ajax,whoservesmeroughly,ohme,ohme,hisHouseisagodlymadness.YousenthimforthonceSplendidlyinawildWarmood.ButnowHisbrainsareallaloneandtohisdearfriendsHeisalargesorrowAndtheworksonceofourhandsThehighworksofourvirtue,thesehavefallenFromfavournowwiththeill-favouredUselesssonsofAtreus.

True,themotherwhomtheageingdaysLookafterbutSnow-whiteinyearsWhenshehearsofhissicknessSomethingofhismadnessShewilllament,lament,andnotWiththedirgeofthegrievingnightingaleShewon’t,butshrillyShe’llwailandblowsdealtbyHerhandswillfallonherbreastsAndlocksfromhergreyhair.

BettertosleepinHellthanbeSickandgood-for-nothingwhenoneofourraceOftribulatedGreekscomeshomeNolongermasterofHisnativerage,butbesidehimself.OFathersufferingtoanendWhatunbearableharmawaitsyouwhen

Youlearnofyourchild!FortimehasneverrearedthelikeAmongtheAeacides,thisexcepted.

[Lines596-645]

CHORUS.Ishakewithlove,goodallaround,Iopen.OhPan!Pan!Oh,joy!OPan!oPan!beseizedbywavesfromuponCylleneontherockfirmhillIndrivingsnow,appear,oyouKingofthegivengods,yougathererAndfittogethertheNysianstepsyouTaughtyourself,andtheCnossian,forme,withmeNowthatIlongtodance.AndyouwhoopenovertheSeaofIcarusKingApolloFamousonDelosFavourmeevermore.ForAreshasloosedthetormentfromhiseyes.Joy,ohjoy!AndnowNowZeusappearinthewhitelightOflovelydaydrivingTherapidships,nowthatAjaxForgettinghispainsUsherstothegodsthelovelysmokeofsacrificeLawfullyservingAndeminentagain.Formightytimedragseverythingaway,tomakeItpass.AndthereisnothingnowIcallunsingableSinceinhismindbeyondourhopeAjaxHasendedhisquarrelwiththesonsofAtreus.

[Lines693-718]

PindarFragments

Wisdom’sinfidelities

OchildmostlikeningyourmindTotheskinofthatwildoceancreatureWholovestherocks,enterintoallthecitiesAnd,lookingkindlyPraisewhatistherepresentAndinothertimesthinkotherwise.

Fitnessofsolitaryschoolingfortheworld.Theinnocenceofpureknowledgeasthesoulof shrewdness. For shrewdness is the art of remaining true in different circumstances,knowledge the art of being secure in one’s understanding even among errors of fact. Ifunderstandingispractisedintensivelyitretainsitsstrengthevenamidstdistraction,againstitsownhonededgerecognisingthatwhichisforeigntoit,andsowillnoteasilygowronginuncertainsituations.

ThusJason,apupiloftheCentaur,comesbeforePelias:

IbelieveIhaveTheteachingofChiron.ForIcomefromthecaveOfCharicloandPhilyrawhereIWasraisedbytheCentaur’sHolygirls.TwentyyearsIhavespentAndneitheranuncleanworkNorworddidIeverspeakTothemandhavenowcomehomeTobringbackmyfather’srule.

OnTruth

Beginnerofgreatvirtue,QueenTruthMayyounotcausemythinkingTocollideagainstroughlies.

Fearoftruth,outofdelightofit.Forthefirstlivelygraspingoftruthinalivingsenseis,likeallpurefeeling,exposedtoconfusions;sothatoneerrsnotbyafaultofone’sown,norfromanydisturbance,butonaccountofthehigherobject,forwhich,relatively,themindistooweak.

OnQuietness

IfonceacitizeninacalmtimeHasgraspedthecommonwealLethimstudytheholylightOfquietnessinsomegreatpersonAndthoroughlyfendoffthewindsOfunrestfromhisheart;fortheybringpovertyAndarehostiletotheeducatorsofchildren.

Before the laws, theholy light of quietness in a great person, are studied, someone, alaw-giveroraprince,mustwhenthefateof thecountryismoretumultuousorsettledandaccording to the people’s receptivity, grasp the character of that destiny, be it moremonarchicormorewhollyinthecircumstancesofthepeople,intimeswithoutdisturbance,moreusurpatory,asinthecaseoftheGreeksonsofnature,ormoreexperienced,asinthecase of people of education. Then laws are the means of holding that fate steady andundisturbed.Whatfortheprinceisoriginalityisforthosemoretrulycitizensimitation.

ConcerningtheDolphin

WhominthedepthsofthewavelessseathesongOflovelyfluteshasmoved.

ThesongofNature,intheweatheroftheMuses,whenoverblossomthecloudshanglikeflakesandover the lustreofgoldenflowers.Aroundthis timeeverycreaturegivesout itstone, its self-fidelity, themannerof itsownfitting together.Theonlyseparation inNaturethenis thatof thedifferencesamongthespecies,so thateverythingismoresongandpurevoicethanaccentofneedor,asitmightbe,language.

It is the waveless sea where the agile fish feels the pipes of the tritons, the echo of

growthinthesoftplantsofthewater.*

TheHighest

ThelawOfall,mortalsandimmortalsKing;andforthatreasonInpoweritwieldsThejustestjusticewiththehighesthandofall.

Theunmediated is, strictly speaking, impossible formortals as for the immortals.Thegod must differentiate different worlds in accordance with his nature because divinegoodness,foritsownsake,mustbeholy,unmixed.Man,asthatwhichseesandknows,mustalsodifferentiatedifferentworlds, because seeingandknowingarepossibleonly throughcontraries.Accordingly,theunmediatedis,strictlyspeaking,formortalsandforimmortalsimpossible.

Thestrictlymediatedis,however,thelaw.Andaccordinglyitwieldsthejustestjusticewiththehighesthandofall.Discipline,insofarasitistheforminwhichhumanbeingsandthegodencounterone

another,thelawsofthechurchandthestate,andinheritedstatutes(theholinessofthegodand,forhumans, thepossibilityofknowingandseeing,ofanexplanation) thesewield thejustest justicewith thehighest handof all,more strictly than art theyhold firm the livingrelations inwhich,with time, a peoplehas encountered and continues to encounter itself.‘King’ here is the superlativewhich is only the sign of the highest ground of seeing andunderstanding,notasignofthehighestpower.

OldAge

WiththoselivinglivesInrighteousnessandholinessSweetlynourishingtheirheartsMakingalonglifeHopewalkswhomostFormortalsdirects

Many-sidedopinion.

Oneof the loveliest imagesof life,howinnocentcustomupholds the livelyheart fromwhichhopecomes;whichgivesthenafloweringtosimplicityinitsmanifoldexperimentsanddirectsthemindandsomakesalonglifeinitshurryingandtarrying.

TheInfinite

WhetherIclimbthehighwallOfjusticeoroftwistedDeceitandthusCircumlocutingmyselfliveMyselfout,IhaveAmindviewingtwowaysTospeakofitexactly.

The wise man’s jest, and the riddle is scarcely to be solved. The wavering andquarrelling between right and shrewdness can in fact only be resolved in their thoroughinterplay.‘Ihaveamindviewingtwowaystospeakofitexactly.’ItissoImaydiscovertheconnectionbetweenrightandshrewdnessascribablenottothembuttoathirdthingthroughwhichtheyareinfinitely(exactly)connected,thatIhaveamindviewingtwoways.

TheSanctuaries

FirsttheheavenlypowersOngoldensteedsConductedthewisecounsellorThemisbyTheocean’ssaltandtidesTotheholyladderofOlympusforHergloriousreturnAsZeustheSaviour’sAncientdaughterWhilesheofhergoodness

GavebirthtotherestingplacesSetingoldAndshiningwithfruit.

Howman,asonofThemis,settleshimselfwhenin thefeelingforperfectionhisspirithas foundnopeaceonearthor inheaven till,meeting in fate,by the tracesof theancientorderthegodandthemanrecogniseoneanotherandinthememoryoforiginalneedheisgladtobetherewherehecanhaveahold.

Themis, lover of order, gave birth to the sanctuaries of humankind, the quiet restingplaces, which nothing alien can approach because in them the workings and the life ofNaturewereconcentrated,andaroundthem,likeremembering,asenseofexperiencingthesameasformerlytheyexperienced.

TheLife-Giver

Theovercomerofmen,afterTheCentaurshadlearnedThepowerOfthehoney-sweetwine,suddenlytheythrustWiththeirownhandsthewhitemilk,thetable,awayAnddrinkingfromthesilverhornsBemusedthemselves.

TheconceptoftheCentaursisdoubtlessthatofthespiritofariverinsomuchasitmakesitswayanditsbordersbyforceontheoriginallypathlessandupwards-growingearth.

ForthatreasontheirimageistobefoundatplacesinNaturewherethebanksarerichinrocksandcaves,especially in localitieswhere in thebeginning theriverhad to leave thechainofthemountainsandbreakitswaythroughtheirdirection.

In the beginning for that reasonCentaurswere also teachers of the science ofNaturebecausefromthatpointofviewinsightintoNaturemaybestbegot.

Insuchdistrictsinthebeginningtheriverwasobligedmerelytowander,beforeseizingitselfacourse.And thus,as theydonearponds,wetmeadowsformedandcaverns in theearthforsucklingbeastsandtheCentaurwasmeanwhileawildshepherdliketheCyclopsintheOdyssey;andlonginglythewaterssoughttheirdirection.Butthemorethedrierpartsof both its banks became firmer and gained direction by trees and bushes and the vinerootingfast,themoretheriveralso,takingitsmovementfromtheshapeofthebanks,gaineddirectionuntil,drivensinceitsbeginnings,itbrokethroughataplacewherethemountainsconfiningithungtogetherattheirlightest.

So theCentaurs learned thepowerof thehoney-sweetwine, fromthe firmly fashionedtree-rich banks they tookmovement and direction and flung away thewhitemilk and thetablewiththeirhands,andthewavestakingshapeoustedthestillnessoftheponds,onthebanksthewayoflifealsochanged,theinvadingwoodswithstormsandthesteadyprincesoftheforestrousedtheidlelifeoftheheathland,thestagnantwaterwasforsolongrepulsedby thesteepeningbanks itgrewarmsand thuswith itsowndirection, itselfdrinking fromsilverhorns,madeitsway,assumedadestiny.

Especially thesongsofOssianare truecentaur-songs,sungwith theriver-spiritandasthoughbytheGreekChironwhoalsotaughtAchilleshowtoplaythelyre.

HÖLDERLIN’SSOPHOCLES

INTRODUCTION

Hölderlin,agreattranslator,saidverylittleaboutthetheoryandpracticeoftranslation;butinthespringof1794,beforehehadattemptedmuchhimself,hedidelaboratetwoprinciplesorconsiderationsinletterstoafriendwhowastranslatingVirgil.Thefirstisthattranslationisgoodforournative language;hecalls it ‘asalutarygymnastics’;our language,hesays,willbecomeskilful,strongandsupple in thestrugglewith thebeautyandgreatnessof theforeignoriginal.Thesecondisaviewoftranslationastravelandresidenceabroad,likeajourneyman’swhenhegoestolearnhistrade.Theriskis,Hölderlinwarnshisfriend,thatinforeignserviceorservitudewemayloseourselves,ourownidentity,ourowntongue,andhavenoserviceablespeechatourdisposalwhenwecomehome.Translationascombat,andasanecessaryjourneyingabroad,forthesakeof,butattheriskoflosing,ourowntongue.

‘Abroad’, forHölderlin,meant timeas awell asplace; itmeant a combatwith andadwellinginthelanguageofthepoetryofAncientGreece.In1800,inordertocomeintofullpossessionofhisownpoeticlanguage,heriskedhisidentityandtheidentityoftheGermanlanguage altogether in a slavish translation of the great lyric poet Pindar, adhering to thesyntax, the word-order, the literal senses of that original, producing for the most part aGerman unintelligible without theGreek, but now and then, bymechanically cleaving ascloseaspossible,hittingonalanguagetrulypoetic,strangeandbeautiful,thetruelanguageofelsewhere,poetryatitsbest;andhewrote,aswemightsay,inthattonguethereafter.

Advertising the translations of Oedipus and Antigone in July 1804 the publisher,FriedrichWilmans, said in their favour thatHölderlin hadworkedon them for tenyears.Thismaynot bemuchof an exaggeration.The earliest surviving evidence ofHölderlin’spreoccupation,asatranslator,withSophoclesisafragmentofOedipusatColonusdonein1796;nextisaversionofanAntigonechorusfrom1799(seepages231and233).Hehadaversionof thisplayandofOedipus readyby thesummerof1802,whenhebegan to lookseriouslyforapublisher.Theninthewinterof1803-04,whenheandWilmanshadcometoanagreement,Hölderlinworkedoverthetwoplays,especiallyAntigone. ItwasprobablyhisintentiontotranslateallsevenofSophocles’extantplays;OedipusandAntigonecameoutasvolumesIandII.ThereisfragmentaryevidenceofhiscontinuingworkonOedipusatColonusandAjax.Hepromised,butitseemsneverdelivered,anintroductiontostandattheheadofallthevolumes;andheentertainedthe–asitmustnowseem–far-fetchedideaofgettingGoethetostageoneorotherplayatthecourttheatreinWeimar.

EditorshavedistinguishedfourphasesofworkonOedipusandAntigone,whichareinfactfourdistinctmodesoftranslation.Onlythelasttwoneedconcernushere.Thefirstofthese, inwhichthebulkofbothplayswasdone,doubtless in1801-02, is thatof thegreatPindar translations, slightlymoderated:keepingclose to thesyntaxandword-orderof theoriginalandoftenalsototheliteralsenseofindividualwords.TheresultantGermanhasaluminous strangeness.And the last phase, asHölderlin revised hiswork in thewinter of1803-04,isoneinwhichtranslationandinterpretationcombine.Hewarpedtheoriginaltofithisownidiosyncraticunderstandingnotonlyofitbutalsoofhisobligationintranslating

it.Theliteralandtheinterpretativemodesco-existinbothplays;Oedipusthoughisamoreconsistentproductoftheformer,andAntigoneunderwentmoreofthelatter.

Hölderlincompletedthesetranslationsundertheapproachingshadowofmentalillness.Inthesummerof1802hereturnedfromhislastemployment,asahousetutorinBordeaux,crossed France in the burning heat, and came home to the news that his beloved SusetteGontardwasdead.Hewasthoughtbyfriendswhosawhimthentobealreadyravingmad,andhesaidhimself thatApollohadsmittenhim.Butherecovered,quietened,anddespiteterrible fatigue andagitation and in the ruinof all hopesofpersonalhappiness, hewrotesuchpoemsas‘Patmos’,‘Remembrance’and‘Mnemosyne’,whichareamonghisbest.Thiswasalsoatimeofanalmostcompulsiverevisionofearlierwork,anundertakingveryliketranslation.He took finishedpoemsand lineby line ‘translated’ them intoa radicalotherlanguage. Several of the so-called ‘Night Songs’, among them ‘Ganymede’ and ‘Chiron’,wereproduced in thisway (seepages73,79,381).Hiswork onSophocles, not just thetranslationsbutalsotheaccompanyingnotes,isverymuchapartofawhole,coherentanddesperatecreativeendeavour,theessenceofwhichwastomakesenseofandsomehowholdhimselfsteadyagainstthedestructivepullofthetimesandofinsanity.Hecouldnotresist,hewasoverwhelmed,butleftthepoemsandhisSophoclesbehindinsafety.

WhenHölderlin’sOedipus andAntigone appeared in spring1804, the learnèd said atonce that theymust be thework of amadman, and by the time all the reviews came outHölderlinhadindeedpassedthroughtheclinicandwasbeginningthelonglatterhalfofhislifeinalienationinthetowerinTübingen.Itistruethatthetranslationsarestrange,butintheirmostconsistentmethodatleast,thecleavingveryclosetoaGreekoriginal,theywerenot unprecedented. Johann Heinrich Voß had done the Iliad and the Odyssey like that,radicallyestrangingtheGermantongue,andpublishedthemin1793.Yetelevenyearslaterit was his own son Heinrich, also a translator, who wrote the harshest and the mostridiculingreviewofHölderlin’sSophocles.

Modern scholars have foundmore than a thousand errors inHölderlin’sOedipus andAntigone. Of course, many of these so-called errors are in practice contributions to theplays’ coherent poetry. Nevertheless, the philological inaccuracy of the translations isstriking. There are three reasons for it. First, though it has not been entirely establishedwhicheditionsofSophoclesHölderlinworkedfrom,itisprettycertainthathedidnotusethemostrecentandthebestavailableinhisday.HischieftextforAntigonewaspublishedinFrankfurtin1555,andisnotablycorrupt.Thusmanyofhiserrorsderivefromhisfaultysources. Secondly, the two volumes published by Wilmans in 1804 were riddled withmisprints.Hölderlinsenthimalist,doubtlessnotexhaustive,ofmorethan40inOedipus.Thislisthassurvived(themanuscriptsofthetranslationsthemselveshavenot)andmoderneditorshavecorrectedthetextaccordingly.ButnosuchlistexistsforAntigone,sowecanonlyguessatwhatmightbeprinter’serrorsthere.Totheendofhislife,throughnearly30yearsofmentalalienation,HölderlinstillboreagrudgeagainstWilmansfor themanglinganddisfigurementofhistext.Finallythough,ithastobeacknowledgedthatHölderlin,whohadmoreinsightintotheheartofAncientGreekculturethananybodyelseinhisgeneration,wasnotverysoundinthegrammarofthelanguage,andintranslatingmadebasicmistakes.Andheseemsnot tohaveturnedforhelptoLatincribsandcommentariesasprofessional

and traditional translators surely would have done. That trusting his own judgement,overridinghisphilologicalweaknesses, isverycharacteristicof thewholeendeavour.Heworked according to his lights, in a state of mind already verging on collapse, towardssomethingverybeautiful,strangeandtroubling.

Hölderlin’sSophoclestranslations,likemostoftherestofhispoetry,onlycameintothemainstreamofGermanconsciousnessaroundthetimeoftheFirstWorldWar.HisAntigonewasfirstperformedin1913,Oedipus in1921.Sincethen,beingrecognisedasanintegralpartofhisentirepoeticachievement,theyhaveneverbeenlostsightof.CarlOrffsetbothtexts tomusic,Antigone in 1949,Oedipus ten years later.Brecht’sAntigone (1948), andHeinerMüller’sOedipusderTyrann(1967)deriveimmediatelyfromHölderlin’s.

OnethingIonlycametorealiseasItranslatedHölderlin’sSophoclesisthatthelanguageofOedipusis,allinall,odderandmoredifficultthanthatofAntigone.Ihadhalfexpectedittobetheotherwayround,sinceHölderlintoldWilmansinDecember1803thathewasstillworkingatthethelatterplay,becauseitslanguagedidnotseemtohim‘livelyenough’.TheChoruses and even more so Antigone’s own speeches in Acts III and IV are of courseextraordinarily‘lively’,theyhaveaburningcompactedintensity;still,muchofOedipus isstranger, and seems to be coming from somewhere yet further off, yetmore foreign. Thereason may be that in Oedipus language itself, speech, utterance, is the very issue. InHölderlin’sidiosyncraticreadingoftheplay,Oedipus’sinconsistslessinhismurderinghisfatherandmarryinghismother than inhelplessly,compulsively,manically rootingoutandbringing into the light anduttering things too frightful tobe seenor said. Jocasta, and theherdsmanbeing interrogated,warn himoff: ‘If you’re chary of life/Then do not search’,‘Unlucky man, why, what do you want to know?’; but he is compelled to continue. InHölderlin’swords,heis‘temptedtowardsthenefas’, into thatwhich isunspeakable.TheMessenger, recounting the catastrophe, still cannot utter the things welling forth fromOedipus himself: ‘[he] speaks /Unholinesses I amnot allowed to say’. In the end, blindTiresias foresees all, andOedipus sees toomuch.AsHölderlin remarkedelsewhere (seepage227), ‘KingOedipus has an eye toomany perhaps’; andwe likewise see toomuchwhenthegreatdoorsareopenedandheappearswithhiseyesputout.Then,asCreonsays,heisnotfittobeseenbythesun.Antigone, on the other hand, is more the opposition of irreconcilable views. The

exchanges between Creon and Antigone are not at all like the forensic interrogations inOedipus in thecourseofwhicha lethal truthisdraggedoutscreaming; theyarerather thefrank,clear,non-negotiablestatementsoftwoopponents.Languageitselfisnottheissueortheproblem,butservesthemwelltoarticulatewhattheissueandtheproblemis.

Imentioned earlierHölderlin’s view of translation as risky servitude abroad.He feltpowerfullydrawntothecultureofAncientGreece,butalwaysstruggledtoasserthimself,hisownidentityandtheneedsofhisowntimesagainstthesupremeexcellenceofanagesolonginthepast.In translatingSophoclesitwashiswishtoservehiscontemporaries,andthatwishmateriallyaffectedthewayhetranslated.InHölderlin’sview–ratheranticipatingNietzsche’s – the renowned clarity, shapeliness and balance of Attic tragedy had beenachievedthroughadeterminedstruggleagainstaquitecontrarytendency,oneinnateintheGreeks, towards wildness, ecstasy and anarchy; which tendency or principle he termed

‘Oriental’. Thuswhat in Hölderlin’s day theGreekswere thought to have excelled at, aqualityhecalled‘sobriety’, far frombeing‘in theirnature’,was theproductofastruggle‘againsttheirnature’.HetookanoppositeviewofhisGermancontemporaries.Naturaltothem,hethought,wasnotpassionbutsobriety,fartoomuchofit.Theyneededenlivening.Accordingly, he translated Sophocles in such a way as to bring out that underlyingcountertendencyofOrientalwildnesswhichSophocleshimselfhadovercome toarriveatAtticsobriety.ThatisthechiefinterpretativetendencyinHölderlin’stranslations:tobringtheancienttextshomeinsuchafashionthattheywillquickenheartsandmindsinthetorpidpresent.

Intranslatinglikethat,serving,ashethought,thepresentneedsofhisowncountrymen,Hölderlinputhimselfevermoreatrisk.Alwayschoosingthemoreviolentword,sothatthetexts are stitched through with the vocabulary of excess, of madness, rage, he was alsovoicing those forces in his own psychologywhich, very soon,would carry him over theedge.Andinutteringthemdidhenotaidandabetthem?Itistheoldparadox:thebetterthepoet says these things, andnonehas ever said thembetter thanhedid, thebetterhe armsthemagainsthimself.Sowellput,aretheynotirresistible?HischaracterisationofOedipus’compulsive quest andutterance as ‘idiot-frenetic’, as that of ‘a sickmind’, is unbearablyclosetohimselfandthewaythathewasgoing.

InHölderlin’sunderstandingoftragedy,asheexpoundsitinhisverydifficultNotesonthe two plays, there is an unhappy coming together of personal and cultural predicament.Tragedy,he says,occursat timesof thorough revolution inhuman thinkingand feeling,of‘totalreversal’.HeseessuchamomentinAntigone’srevoltagainstCreon.Sheistheagentofanideologywhollyirreconcilablewithhis,andperishesinassertingit.She,andOedipusalso,inthecrisesoftheirtragedies,aretakenupoutofanorganisedandfamiliarworldintothe ‘eccentricity’ofdisintegration,holymadnessanddeath.Again,whenhedescribes thepullofthateccentriczone,itsecstatictemptation,hedoessoassomeonemoreandmoreatthemercyofsuchforcesinhispersonallife.WritingofAntigoneandCreon,andtranslatingtheclasssicaccountoftheircombat,hehadhiseyeonthe‘totalreversal’broughtaboutinhisowntimesbytheFrenchRevolutionandtheensuingwars;andseemshimselftobethetragicvehicleofthosetimes,thelocusinwhichaninevitableprocessmustreachitstragicend.

Twoor three years before completing these translations,Hölderlin had struggledwithandfailedtofinishatragedyofhisown,onthesuicideoftheAncientGreekphilosopher,poet and radical critic of organised religion, Empedocles. His Notes on Oedipus andAntigoneareacontinuationofhisthinking,in1800,onthenatureoftragedyingeneralandon Empedocles’ tragedy in particular. Likewise in the Notes, when he enquires into the‘mechanics’oftragedyandseekstotracethe‘calculablelaw’ofeachoftheplays,thisisacontinuation,stillcrypticbutmoreconcrete,oftheobsessiveandsolitarydeliberationsonthespiritandthepracticeofpoetryhehadpursuedinthatsameyear.Hölderlinisamongthemostpassionateofpoets,butalsoamongthemostcalculating.Hencehisinsistence,intheNotes,onthevalueofcraftandschooling.

Translation, especially translation out of the past, keeps us in touch with works wecannotdowithout. I said thatHölderlin’sversionsofSophocles aregenerally recognised

andadmirednowadays,butthatdoesnotinanywaylessentheiressentialstrangenessandtheirpowertoilluminateandunsettle.Theyarestrangeerraticsstill,allthemorefascinatingand disorientating for being versions of plays so classical and familiar. They give usSophoclesagain,inaradicalmodernity.YoumightseeCreon,forexample,astheobstinateperpetratorofsomethingthatnooneshouldeverdo;andAntigoneasthechampionofvaluesmore fundamental thanhisand thestate’s. In twohair-raisingspeeches inAct IVTiresias‘sees’asocietystrickenbytheconsequencesofoffendingagainstfundamentallaws.Itmustsoundtous,inourworldnow,likewhathasalreadyhappenedandwillsurelyhappenagainandagainuntilthereisnoworldleftforittohappenin,whenwedothings,againstNature,for example, thatmust on no account ever be done.Antigone, awoman against aman, afemale ideologyagainst thatof thestateofmen, lives in thewisdomofanold taboo,anddiesassertingit.She–orHölderlin,inlanguagehestrovetomakeever‘livelier’–causesustoaskourselves,isthereanythingwe,orthepeoplemanagingus,wouldnotdo?

FormytranslationImainlyusedtheFrankfurterAusgabeofHölderlin’sworks.Therehisversionsaresetoutoppositethe1555textofSophocleswhichheisknowntohaveusedatleastforhisAntigone.OtherwiseIdrewontheGroßeStuttgarterAusgabe,andon theedition published by the Deutscher Klassiker Verlag, which has good notes andcommentaries. My rule was not to correct any of Hölderlin’s ‘errors’, but always totranslate his text; and I only departed from this rule on a couple of occasions where adistractingnonsenseorinconsistencywouldotherwisehavebeenproduced.

DialogueinclassicalGreektragedyisusuallyconductediniambictrimeters,linesofsixfeet. In translating themHölderlinmovesas it suitshimbetween the trimeterand the linemostoftenemployedinGermanandEnglishtragedy,thepentameter.Ihavefollowedhiminthat,givingmyselfalsotheextralicenceofsomeshorterlines.TorenderthecomplexGreekmetresofthechorusesandotherlyricalpassagesheusesfreerhythmslikethoseofhisownhymns,whichIimitatedasbestIcould,forthemostpartallowingmyselfonlyasmanylinesashehasandalwayspayingattentiontohisline-breaks.

IkeptclosetohisstrangeGerman,inthehopeofarrivingatananalogousstrangenessinEnglish.Buthislanguageisbeautifulandtroublingtoo,andinthecarryingovermuchofthatwillhavebeenlostlikepreciouswaterfromaleakyvessel.ButIlearnedtheotherdaythatHölderlin is read and loved in translation in Bangladesh, and that encourages me, hereaddingmoretohisstockinEnglish.

DAVIDCONSTANTINE2001

OEDIPUSTHEKING

DRAMATISPERSONAE

OEDIPUS.

APRIEST.

CREON.

TIRESIAS.

JOCASTA.

AMESSENGER.

ASERVANTofLaius.AnotherMESSENGER.CHORUSofThebanElders.

FIRSTACT

FIRSTSCENE

OEDIPUS.APRIEST.

OEDIPUS.Oyou,oldCadmus’children,newoffspring,InwhatposturedoyouassailmehereCrownedallaroundwithbeggingsprigsoftree?Alsothecityisfilledupwithsacrifices,Withpaeansandsighingprayers.Notwishing,Children,fromanyothermessengersTohearwhy,Ihavecomemyself,myselfWithfamebyallcalledOedipus.But,oldman,speak,foryouaresuitableTospeakforthem.WhatwaydoyoustandInfearorsufferingalready?AllofitIwillhelpwith.IwouldbeunfeelingHadIbeforesuchposturenomercy.

THEPRIEST.Orulerofmycountry,Oedipus!Youseeuslyingdown,howmanyofusAtyouraltar,thesenotyetbyfarStrongenoughtofly,theothers,thepriests,Heavywithage.IamZeus’s.TheyarepickedFromyouths.TheotherbranchesPilegarlandedonpublicsquaresatPallas’DoubletempleandIsmenus’sForetellingash.BecausethetownyouseeAlreadytotters,greatly,andcanliftherheadoutofThepitnomoreandtheredwave.DeathShespotsinbeakersofthefruitfulearth,InherdsandflocksandintheunbornbirthsOfwomen,andfirefrominsideTheplaguegodbringsandemptiesCadmus’houseAndHellgrowsrichwithsighsandhowling.Now,thoughIdonotrateyoulikethegodsNordothechildrenhere,lyingatthealtar,StillIdoasthefirstinhappeningsOftheworldandonenesswiththespirits.YoucameandloosedthecityofCadmus

Frompayingthesongstress,her,thecruel,HertributeandthatnotknowingelseAthingofusnorbeingtold;Godcalledyou,Wesay,andthinkyouraisedusup.ButnowAgain,OheadofOedipus,Strongoverall,wedoimploreyouHumbly,discoverusaprotectionIfyouhaveheardfromgodsavoiceOrhavedonefromaman,forIknowthis:Eventhefatedthings,themmostofall,Itisexperiencedadvicebringsthemtolife.Therefore,youbestofmen,liftupthetownAgain,thereforebeshrewd!ThelandcallsyouItsrescuerfromtheoldwildmeaning.ToolittlewillyourrulebethoughtofthoughIfwearerightedandwefallagain.ErectthiscitywithsolidityForifyouruleinthelandasyouhavestrengthtoBetteritbewithmenfullthanbeempty.ForneithertowernorshipisanythingaloneIfmenwithinarenotdwellingtogether.

OEDIPUS.Opoorchildren,whatyoucomeaskingIsknownnotunknown.IamwellawareAllofyouaresicksothatofallofyouNonesickasIam.ForyoursufferingcomesOnonewhoisaloneherebyhimselfOnnooneother.AndmysoulGrievesforthetownatonceandmeandyou.NordoyouwakemesleepingfromasleepButknowthatIhaveweptgreatlyandcomeErrantonmanywaysofsorrow.ButsearchingwellwhatIdiscoveredIcarriedout,theonemeans.SentMenoeceus’son,Creon,mybrother-in-law,ToPytho,toApollo’shousesthere,SohemightseewhatIshoulddo,WhatIshouldsaytosavethiscity.AndIamanxious,measuringfromthattimeTheday,whatheisdoing.FormorethanproperHestaysawayabovetheusualtime.ButwhenHecomesIshouldbebaddidInotdoEverythingthegoddisclosestous.

THEPRIEST.Youspoketothegood,andtheseherehaveToldmeamomentsinceCreonhascome.

OEDIPUS.OKingApollo!SurelyifhehascomeHemayappeareyesshiningwithsalvation.

THEPRIEST.Heseemscontenthowever.ElsewhycomeSofullycrownedwiththetreeoftrees,thelaurel?

SECONDSCENE

OEDIPUS.THEPRIEST.CREON.

OEDIPUS.Nowweshallknow.Heiscloseenoughtohear.OKing,mycare,sonofMenoeceus,Whatvoicedoyoubringtousfromthegod?

CREON.Therightone.ForbadthingstooitisGoodoverall,Isay,whentheycomeoutright.

OEDIPUS.Whatkindofwordthoughisit?NeitherboldNorwaryeitherdoesthisspeechmakeme.

CREON.Willyouhearitherewiththesestandingaround?Iampreparedtospeakorgowithyou.

OEDIPUS.Sayitinfrontofall.FormoreforthemThanmyownsoul’ssakeIcarrytheburden.

CREON.ThenletmesaywhatIheardfromthegod.Phoebushasbiddenus,theKinghas,clearly,Wemusthuntdowntheshameourcountry’sgroundHasnourished,notnurturetheincurable.

OEDIPUS.Throughwhatcleansing?Whatillthingisit?

CREON.Banish,orwithamurderanswermurderIswhatwemust.Suchbloodexcitesthetown.

OEDIPUS.Whichisthemanhemeanswhohadthisfate?

CREON.Lordofusformerly,OKing,wasLaiusHereinthelandbeforeyouledthecity.

OEDIPUS.Iknow,haveheardit,neversawitthough.

CREON.Thatmanhavingdied,clearlyhewishesnowThatwewithhandspunishthosemurderers.

OEDIPUS.Butwhatlandaretheyin?WherewillwefindThetrackswithoutasignoftheoldguilt?

CREON.Hereinthisland,hesays.WhatgetslookedforWecatch.Butoverlooked,itgetsaway.

OEDIPUS.DidLaiusfallinthehousesoroutside?Fallinaforeigncountryinthismurder?

CREON.HelefttolookatGod,theysay,Didnotcomehomeagainhowhewassent.

OEDIPUS.NomessengerorcompanionwhosawitTohearitfromandsearchintoit?

CREON.Theyaredead.Oneonly,fledinfear,Ofwhatheknewdidsayonething.

OEDIPUS.Andwhat?ForonethingdoesgivemuchtolearnIfitconceivesbyhopeasmallbeginning.

CREON.Robbersfellonhim,sohesaid,Notonestronghandtokill,butnumerous.

OEDIPUS.Howcouldthey,ifitwasnotsilverTherobbersdiditfor,dosuchanoutrage?

CREON.Indeed.WhenLaiusdiedhoweverNobodycametohelpusintheevil.

OEDIPUS.Whatevilhinderedit,whenthusthelordHadfallen,andkeptfromsearchingafter?

CREON.TheSphinx,whenweheardit,hermanysongs,Droveustosearchthedarkthatwantedsolving.

OEDIPUS.FromthebeginningIwilllightitup.ForrightlyhasApollo,rightlyyouhaveDeterminedthedeadmanthisrevenge,sothatOpenlyyouwillseemeasacomradeInarms,metoo,revengerofthislandAndofthegod.Notfordearstrangers’sakeButminedoI,mysake,expelsuchloathsomeness.ForwhokilledhimwellmighthealsomeWiththesamehandmurder.ServinghimIwillbeusefultomyself.ButchildrenStandupnowquicklyfromthestepsandtakeThesebeggingbranches.SomeoneelseGathertogetherCadmus’peoplehere.

ForI’lldoeverything.EitherweshowInfortunewiththegodorweshallfall.

THEPRIEST.Ochildren,letusrise.ForthatwaswhyWecameheretoo,thereasonthiswassaid.AndhewhosenttheprophecieslethimAssaviourcomeandsickness-curer,Phoebus.

(Theyexit.)

CHORUS.Sweet-speakingwordofZeus,whatkindofwordareyouFromPythocome,therichingold,ToThebesthatshines?Iamspannedwideinananxiousmind,Staggeringunderfears.AndyoutheDelianpaeanofgriefAllaroundfearingyou,Willitbenew,thefate,oronethatyoureturningAftertherollinghourscomplete?Tellme,childofgoldenHope,youundyingtale.

FirstyounamingIcomeDaughterofZeus,immortalAthene,Andherembracingtheearth,YoursisterArtemis,whoseareThefamousthronesAroundtheagoraAndPhoebus,longbowman.Io!Io!Youthreedeath-warders-off!AppeartomeIfeverbeforeinpasterrorThatfelluponthecityYoudrovetheflameoftheeviloutComenow,yougods,asthen.

FortheillsarenumberlessIcarryAndallourpeoplesick.NoonewasleftthespearofcareTohaveprotectionby.NordoTheshootsgrowofthefamouslandNorthroughthepitiabletravailsTobirthCanthewomenholdout.ButoneuponTheotheryoucanseethemlift

Likewell-featheredbirdsAndstrongerthanunstoppablefireTowardstheshoreoftheeveningGod,wherebyinnumerablyThecityperishes.ThechildrenthoughInthefieldsthepoorchildrenarelyingmortallyUngrieved.IndoorshoweverthegreyWomenandthemothersAroundtheshoreofthealtarandfromelsewhereOthersalsoAtoningforthegrislytroublesSighAndthepaeanshinesandthesighingvoicewithit.

Thereforelookkindly,OgoldenYou,thedaughterofZeus,andsendStrength.AndAres,tearingme,whonowWithouttheshieldofbronzeMeetsmeburningmeDrivehimofthebadname,himThereverserdriveHimfromourcountrywithoutfireintothegreatBedofAmphitriteorintoTheinclementharbourIntotheThracianwaves.ForattheendwhennightgoesSuchadaycomesin.Himthen,OyouwhodirectthepowersOfkindlinglightnings,Jupiter,father,underyoursDestroyhim,underthebolts.LycianKing,yourstooofyourholyandslantedBowIshouldliketodealoutThearrows,thelet-loosest,Assigningthem,likecomrades.AlsothekindlingshineofArtemisWithwhichsheleapsthroughLycianmountains.AndInamehimtoo,namedafterthisland,Bacchusintherushofwine,ohEviusWithMaenadsintheloneliness;lethimcomeWiththebrilliantlyshiningtorchburningOnhimwhoiswithouthonourbeforethegods,thegod!

SECONDACT

FIRSTSCENE

OEDIPUS.THECHORUS.

OEDIPUS.YoubegthewayyoubegwishingfrommetotakeThewordsintotheearandgetclearofthesickness.StrengthyoushallhaveandlighteningofTheevil.IwillsearchthoughIamStrangeinthisthing,strangerinwhatpreceded.NotfarshouldIhavesearchedhadInosign.Now,alatecitizen,IcomehoweverAmongthecitizensandcalltoyou,allCadmians,WhoeverknewthesonofLabdacusAmongyou,Laius,bywhomhediedIsaytohim:tellallofittomeAndifhefearsthecharge,tellinghimself,Hewillnotsufferotherwiseungently.Heleavesthecountrywithoutharmdonehim.ButifamanknowsofanotherofAnotherlandlethimnothushthedoer;ForIwillbringaboutthegainsandthanksWillbetheretoo;butifyouhushAndfearingforthelovedoneorhimselfApersonpushesitawaywhatI’lldothenHearthatfromme.Forthisman’ssakeIcurse(whoeveritmaybehereinthelandWhichIcommandthepowerofandthethrones)LetnobodyinviteorspeaktohimNortotheholyoathsnortoThesacrificestakenorwashhishands,ButdrivehimeverywherefromhomeforsuchaoneisAspotofshameonus.TheutteranceOfGodatPythoshowsmethisclearly.SoIwiththatdaimonandwiththedeadmanhaveBecomeacomradeinthefight.IwishTheonewhodidit,beheonealoneHidden,ordidwithseveralhemayBadlyuseupabadlyunfitlife;Wishtooifheofmyownhouse

IstablefellowandIknowitTosufferwhatIherehavecursedhimwith.ButyouIorderdoallthisFormysakeandthegod’sandcountry’sThuspassingfruitlesslyandgodlesslyaway.Itwas,evenwerethethingnotsetbyGod,NotrighttoleaveyousouncleanSincehehasdiedwhowastheprinceandbestmanButsearchintoit.NowhoweverIHavegotthegovernancehehadbeforeAndgotthebedandcommonSpouseandchildrentoo,hadhislinenotIll-lucked,weshouldhavehadIncommon;butfatestruckthathead.ForitAsthoughitweremyfatherIwillfightMyuttermostifIonceseizethemurdererForLabdacus’ssonandPolydorus’sAndCadmus’s,theancientruler.Andthosewhodon’tdothisIprayonthemTogodstheydonothavealandtoploughNorchildrengrantedthemfromwomenAndpassawaybysuchafateandworse.ButustheotherCadmianswhomthisPleases,beingcomradesinthecase,Alwaysbekindlywithusallthegods.

CHORUS.Sinceinthecurseyouseizeme,King,IspeakLikethis:Ididnotmurder,no!NorcanIshowthemurderer.ButifwesearchThemessagePhoebussentmustsaywhodidit.

OEDIPUS.Yousaidwhat’sright.ButforcethegodswheretheyDon’twant,nomancandoit,notone.

CHORUS.ShallIsaysecondlywhatseemstome?

OEDIPUS.Andthirdly,don’tneglectto,keepingquiet.

CHORUS.ThemostinthisaboutKingPhoebusKingTiresiasknows.Onewhoaskedhim,OKing,couldhearitclearest.

OEDIPUS.Ihaven’tnot,likeslothfulmen,triedthisAswell.Creonadvisedit.Isenttwice.Itpuzzlespeoplewhyhehasnotcome.

CHORUS.Alsotheotherwordsarelongsincevain.

OEDIPUS.Whatarethey,those?ForIlookintoallwords.

CHORUS.Theysaythathewaskilledbywanderers.

OEDIPUS.Iheardittoobutnooneseeswhosawit.

CHORUS.ButifhehasapartoffearwithhimAndhearsyoursuchacurse,hewillnotbearit.

OEDIPUS.Themanthedeeddidnotthewordwon’tfrighten.

CHORUS.Butthereisonetotesthim.ThesearebringingGod’sseerthiswaynowwhohasThetruthinhimaloneofpeople.

SECONDSCENE

OEDIPUS.THECHORUS.TIRESIAS.

OEDIPUS.Oyouwhothinkallthings,TiresiasThesaid,theunsaid,theheavenlyandwhatWandersonearth,youdonotseethetownButnonethelessknowwhatasicknesssheIsseizedin.AsherfirstsaviourYouaretheonealone,King,wefindout.ForPhoebus,thoughyouhavenotheardthemessengers,Answeredourmissionwiththismissive:SalvationfromthissicknesswillcomeonlyIfwe,enquiringinto,killThemurderersofLaiusorbanishthem.Butyou:heedwhatthebirdshavesaidandsoReleaseyourself,thetown,releasemealso,Alsoreleasethewholeshameofthedeadman.Forweareyours.AndthatamanusesWhateverhehasandcan,thatisthebestlabour.

TIRESIAS.HowheavyknowledgeiswhenuselesstoTheonewhoknows.BecauseIknowfullwellIamlost.WouldIhadnevercome.

OEDIPUS.Whyisityoustepupwithsuchsmallcourage?

TIRESIAS.Letmegohome.ThebestisyoumindyourAffairs,Imine,tillyouhavefollowedme.

OEDIPUS.YouhavenotspokenrightnorkindlyforthetownThatnurturedyou,ifyoukeepbackthissaying.

TIRESIAS.BecauseIseewhatyouaresayinggoBadlyforyou,andnottosufferlikewise.

CHORUS.Bygodsno!Evenwithreasonno!DonotTurnaway.Weallentreatyou,kneeling.

TIRESIAS.Thenyouareallsenseless.ButletmenotSaymine,notbroadcastyourevil.

OEDIPUS.Whatareyousaying?Knowitandnotspeak?Willyoubetrayusanddestroythetown?

TIRESIAS.Icareforme,notyou.YoucannotblameThatground.Fordidyoufollowme?Youdidnot.

OEDIPUS.Willyounotfinally,worstofthebad(Foryouarebuiltlikecliffs),speakout?Whyshowsocolourless,soimplacable?

TIRESIAS.You’veblamedmyanger.Yours,thatsleepswithyou,Youdonotsee,butmeyouscold.

OEDIPUS.ButwhomwouldnotawordlikethatangerWithwhichyouaredishonouringthistown?

TIRESIAS.ItwillstillcomethoughIdepartwithsilence.

OEDIPUS.Itwillnot,never!Youmusttellitme.

TIRESIAS.I’llnotspeakfurther.Beangry,ifyoulike,Atthatwithangerwildlyasyouwill.

OEDIPUS.Ohyes,howevertheangerisI’llnotLeaveanythingoutIknow.ForIsuspectyouwereCo-plannerandtheworkeroftheworkOnlynotmurderingwithhands.IfyouweresightedTheworkitselfI’dsaywasyoursalone.

TIRESIAS.Truly!IdoconfirmyouwillabideinThetoneyoustartedin,stillspeakuponThatdayneithertothesenormebutspeakWithhimwhoisaspotuponourland.

OEDIPUS.Soshamelesslyyouthrowthiswordout?Andthinknodoubtnowyousecureyourself?

TIRESIAS.Iamsecured,Inurtureastrongtruth.

OEDIPUS.Toldyoubywhom?Notfromyourart,itisn’t.

TIRESIAS.Byyou.Youmademespeakagainstmywill.

OEDIPUS.Whatword?RepeatitsoI’llknowitbetter.

TIRESIAS.Notknownitlongsince?Isourspeechatest?

OEDIPUS.Nothingwe’veknownlongsince.Repeatit!

TIRESIAS.Theman’smurderyouseekIsayitfallsonyouthere.

OEDIPUS.Nojoyinthat,youspeakdoublyaskew.

TIRESIAS.SomeI’llsayelsenow,toangeryouthemore.

OEDIPUS.Muchasyoulike.Itwillbesaidinvain.

TIRESIAS.Isayyoulivedisgracefullywithyourbestloved,Insecret,ignoranthowfarunhappy.

OEDIPUS.Youthinktosaythisandbealwaysjoyful?

TIRESIAS.Ifpoweroftruthdoescountforanything.

OEDIPUS.Itdoes,butnotforyou,thisisnotyours,Blindintheearsyouareandheartandeyes.

TIRESIAS.Butyouarewretched,howyouscoldSoonnobodywillnotscoldthusagainstyou.

OEDIPUS.Thelastnightnourishedyou,notmenorAnyoneelsewhoseesthelightdoyousee.

TIRESIAS.TofallbyyouisnotmyfateApollo,Mindedtoendthematter,vouches.

OEDIPUS.AretheseCreon’soraretheywordsofyours?

TIRESIAS.Creonisnotaharmtoyou,butyouare.

OEDIPUS.Oriches,power,art,outdoingArtinlifesorichinjealousies!Howlargetheenvyisthatyouwatchover!IfforthispowerwhichthecitygavemeUnasked,entrustedtome,CreonThefaithful,alwaysloving,fromitStealthilyfallingonmeseekstodriveme,Commissioningthisslymagician,thisDeceitfulmendicantwhoonlylooksToprofitbutbornblindinarts?Forsee,tellme,areyouawiseseer?

WhywhenthesongstressbitchwasheredidyouNotsingthecitizensasolvingsong?Althoughtheriddlewasn’tforeverymanTosolveandneededseer’sartsThatneitherasapresentyoufrombirdsFetcheddownnorofthegodsfromone.ButI,untutoredOedipus,WhenIcametoitIhushedherup,Hittingitbynous,nottaughtBybirds.YouhaveamindtoexpelThatmanandthinktocomenearCreon’sthrone.Withtears,itseemstome,youwillandwhoSpanwithyou,payforit.WereyounotoldYouwouldbysufferingfeelthewayyouthink.

CHORUS.HisseemtousandyourwordsequallySpokeninanger,Oedipus,butthisIsnotwhat’sneededbuttoseeHowbesttosolvetheutteranceofthegod.

TIRESIAS.ThoughyouhavepowerofyoursImustreplyInkind.Ihavepowerinthistoo.Idonotliveaserftoyou,butLoxias.IamnotlistedunderCreon.ButIsaythis,sinceyouhavecalledmeblind,You,havingseen,don’tseewhatyouareatInevil,whereyoulive,withwhatyouhouse.Doyouknowwhereyouarefrom?YouareinsecretDetestabletoyourownkindbelowTheearthandhereaboveandhittingallaroundThemother’sandthefather’scurseVastlydevelopingwilldriveyoufromthelandNowseeingwellbutafterwardsindarknessAndofyourscreamswhatharbourwillnotbeFullandwhatCithaeronsoonnotshoutwithyou?DoyoufeelthemarriageasyoulandedVoyagingwell?Ithasnoshore.NotofTheotherevilseitherdoyoufeelthehostThatstrikeyouwithyourchildrenequally.ButscoldatCreonstillandalsoIntomyfaceforworsethanyouthereisNomortalmanwhoeverwillbefathered.

OEDIPUS.Tohearfromhimthisisittolerable?

Willyounotsuddenlyfounder?ShowThishouseyourbackandturnawayandgo?

TIRESIAS.I’dnothavecomehadyounotcalledmehere.

OEDIPUS.Ididnotknowthatyouwoulduttermadthings.WouldnothavefetchedyoutothehouseherehadI.

TIRESIAS.Soweareborn,asyouthink,mad.ButofOnemindwiththeparentswhogotyou.

OEDIPUS.Andwhich?Stay!Whoamonghumansgotme?

TIRESIAS.Day,thedaywillgetyouandundoyou.

OEDIPUS.Howyousayeverythingriddlinganddark.

TIRESIAS.Butyouhavesmallsuccessinsolvingsuch.

OEDIPUS.Blamewhatyouwilldiscovermegreatin.

TIRESIAS.Thisfate,Igrantyou,hasundoneyou.

OEDIPUS.ButifIsavedthetownIwouldnotmindit.

TIRESIAS.ThenIwillgo.Boy,leadme,willyou.

OEDIPUS.Lethimleadyou.BeingherelikethisSeemsyouwillheapthemiseryupfully.

TIRESIAS.Ihavesaidit.IgobecauseofwhatIcamefor,notfearingyourface.YouhavenothingToundomewithbutItellyouthemanYouseekwiththreatsandbroadcastingthemurderOfLaius,heishere,helives,itissaid,Withusasstranger,butasnativesoon,AsTheban,willbeshownandnotbegladOftheaccident.BlindfromseeingAndpoorinsteadofrichabroadDiviningwiththesceptrehewillhavetowander.HewillbeshownuplivingwithhischildrenAsbrotherandasfatherandthewoman’swhoBorehim,hersonandhusband,inonebedwithThefather,hismurderer.Goin,thinkonitAndifyoufindmeforaliarsayIdotheseer’sworksenselessly.

(Theyexit.)

CHORUS.WhoisitwhomtheprophesyingDelphicrockhasspokenofAsthoughhehadachievedwithbloodyhandsWhatmostmaynotbeuttered?ThehouriscomingwhenmorepowerfullyThanhorsesmovinglikethestormwindsheMustmovehisfeettoflight.ForweaponedonhimfallsWithfireandlightningZeus’ssonandalsointheirviolencecomeTheimplacableParcae.

Forithasshonefromthesnowsof,Justshowntheutterancehas,FromwhiteParnassusthatEverywherethehiddenmanistobesearchedout.ForheiserringinthewildwoodIncavesandrockslikethebullThebad-luckmanwithbad-luckfeet,orphaned,FleeingtheprophecieswhichfromThemidpointoftheearthAlwaysaliveareflyingaround.

Hestirsenormities,stirsupenormities,ThewisebirdscrierThatarenotclearnoraretobedeniedAndwhatIoughttosayIdonotknowButflyupinhopesNotlookingherenorback.ForwhataquarrelisbetweenTheLabdacidsandPolybus’ssonIneverformerlyHaveknownandalsonowdonotknowInwhatproofImeetThestrangestoryofOedipusAhelpertotheLabdacidsInthehiddendeath?

ButZeusandApolloArewiseandknowhumans.ButthatamongmenAseerismoreesteemedthanIIsnotatruejudgement.

WithwisdomletthemanAnswerwisdom.ButIshouldneverwish,beforeIsawAnuprightword,toshowmyselfAmongtheblamers.ForoverhimCamemanifestthewingedmaidOnceandsheseemedwiseButthetestwasfriendlytothetown.ThereforeAsIthinkneverWillhepayforit,thatbadthing.

THIRDACT

FIRSTSCENE

CREON.THECHORUS.

CREON.Youmen,youcitizens,Iundergohardwords:ThatOedipus,thelord,accusesme.SoIcome,suffering.ForifhethinksThathebymehasundergoneinthiscaseWithwordsorworkssomethingthatharmshimThenIhavenojoyinmyfurtherlifeIfIsupporttheshame.Itisnotsimple,Thepunishmentthiswordstrikesmewith,butExtremest,ifthenameIhaveinthistownIsbadtoyouandtomylovedonesbad.

CHORUS.ThisinsultcameforcedoutbyrageperhapsMorethanfromcounselofthemind.

CREON.Howwasitshownthatwhentheseerspoke,Followingmycounsel,hiswordswerelies?

CHORUS.Itissaid.WhattoneinIdon’tknow.

CREON.WastheaccusationbroadcastovermeRightmindedly,fromleveleyes?

CHORUS.Idonotknow.ThethingsthegreatdoIDon’tsee.Butheisherehimself.

SECONDSCENE

OEDIPUS.CREON.THECHORUS.

OEDIPUS.You!Howcouldyoucomehere?IsyourfaceSobrazenthatyouenterintomyhouseAstheevidentmurdererofmeAndrobber,clearly,ofmyrule?NowbyThegods,tellmehaveyouseencowardiceOnmeorfoolishnessthatyoushouldthinkTodothisandthatthisyourworkcreeping

DeceitfullyIwouldnotrecogniseandnotWardoffwhenIdidrecogniseit?IsYourbidnotstupidwithoutmenandfriendsTohuntthethronethat’swonwithmenandmoney?

CREON.Doyouknowwhatyou’restarting?HearForyourwordlike.Judgewhenyouhave.

OEDIPUS.You’restronginspeech,IpoorifImustlearnfromyou.Ifindyoudifficultandfalselyminded.

CREON.OnthatpreciselyfirsthearwhatIsay.

OEDIPUS.Preciselydonotsayyouarenotwicked.

CREON.Ifyouthinkself-regardisgoodwithoutTemperyoudonotthinkaright.

OEDIPUS.IfyouthinkanyonemishandleskinUnpunishedyourthinkingisnotgood.

CREON.Isaysotoo,thatthisisrightlysaid,Buttellmewhatthesufferingisyousuffer.

OEDIPUS.DidyouadviseornotthatitwasneededAmanbedispatchedtotheholyseer?

CREON.Iamthesameinthatopinionevennow.

OEDIPUS.HowlongatimeagoisitthatLaius–?

CREON.Didworkofwhatkind?Idon’tknow.

OEDIPUS.Hegrewinvisiblethroughadeadlyill.

CREON.Distantthemeasuredtimeis,longago.

OEDIPUS.Intheartinthosedayswastheseerso?

CREON.Hewasbothwiseandrightlywellregarded.

OEDIPUS.Atthattimedidheeverthinkofme?

CREON.NotthatIeverstoodtherewhenhedid.

OEDIPUS.Butdidyounotsearchafterthedeadman?

CREON.Wedid.Howshouldwenot?Andheardnothing.

OEDIPUS.Whydidhenotspeakthenasnow,thewiseman?

CREON.Idonotknow.Notknowing,Isaynothing.

OEDIPUS.Somanythingsyoudoknow.Saythemkindly.

CREON.Whatthen?Knowing,IwillnotsayIdon’t.

OEDIPUS.This,thathewouldnot,werehenotinleagueWithyou,havecalledthekillingofLaiusmine.

CREON.Whetherhecalleditthat,youknowyourself.Iwishtohearfromyouwhatyouwantfromme.

OEDIPUS.Hearit.I’llnotbefoundamurderer.

CREON.Whatthen?Areyounotmarriedtomysister?

OEDIPUS.Whatyouhavesaidisnottobedenied.

CREON.Youruleasshedoes,governingtheground.

OEDIPUS.WhatshedesiresIseetoallofit.

CREON.AmInotjoinedtoyoupairasthethird?

OEDIPUS.Inthisnowyouappeartobeabadfriend.

CREON.NotifyoudomerightasIdoyou.Firstlyconsiderthis:whetheryouthinkThatonewouldratherwanttorule,infear,Thansleepsweetlywhenhehaspowerthesame.IamnotmadethatIshouldmoredesireTobealordthandowhat’slordlyNoranymanwouldwhocantamehimself.NowIhaveallthingswithoutfearfromyou.RuledImyself,muchImustdoungladly.HowthenshouldbeinglordbedearertomeThanhonourwithouttroubleisandpower?IamnotyetsofoolishastowantAnythingbutwhat’sgoodandprofitsme.Nowalldelightsme,everyonesalutesme,Nowthosecalltomewhohaveneedofyou.Forthereinliesitthatallprospersforthem.WhyshouldIgofromthisandgraspforthat?Amanwhothinksarightwillnotturnbad.NowIamnotofsuchamindandnever,Ifsomeoneelsedidit,wouldriskitwithhim.TakeyourreproachandgowithittoPytho,AskdidImakethewordknowntoyouclearly.AndifyoufindthatIwiththesign-divinerDealt,thenkillmenotononeman’swordButdoublydamned,onyoursandmine.

Onlydon’tchargemeonadimopinion.ForItisnotrighttoholdinanidlefashionThebadforexcellent,theexcellentforbad.ForwhenanoblemanthrowsoffafriendMyownanddearestlifefeelstouchedbyit.Intimethoughsurelyyouwilllearnthis.FortimealonerevealsthejustmanbutThebadyourecogniseononeday.

CHORUS.Hespokewell,sothatgoodmaycomeofit.Forthinkingquicklyisnotsafe,King.

OEDIPUS.IfonelayingtrapswillgetawayquicklyMyselfImustadvisemyselfquickly.IfIameasygoingandwaitforhimHe’llbringforthhisandminewillfail.

CREON.Whatdoyouwantthenbuttodrivemefromtheland?

OEDIPUS.No,thatyoudieorruniswhatIwant.

CREON.Ifyouwillshowmewhatyourillwillis.

OEDIPUS.Doyouspeakgivingwaytoorbelievingme?

CREON.IfIsawsenseinyou…

OEDIPUS.Mybusinessnow!

CREON.Calledmineaswell.

OEDIPUS.Wouldbewereyounotbad.

CREON.Butwhatifyoudon’tknow?

OEDIPUS.Amanmustrule.

CREON.Butnotthebadrulers.

OEDIPUS.Ohcity!City!

CREON.Concernsmetoo,notyoualone,thecity.

CHORUS.Giveover,lords.IseethewomancomingToyouherefromthehouse,Jocasta.Withherthequarrelmustbestraightenedout.

THIRDSCENE

JOCASTA.CREON.OEDIPUS.CHORUS.

JOCASTA.Whyhaveyourousedthiswitlesswaroftongues,Poormen,andareyounotashamed,thelandSosick,towakeyourownmisfortune?Comeinthepalaceandyouinthehouse,Creon,Andnotmakelittleburdensbig.

CREON.Ohsister,muchyourhusbandOedipusismindedTodotomeandchoosestwoevils.Hewillevictmefromthelandorkillme.

OEDIPUS.Isaysotoo.IfoundhimworkingillAtmyownbody,wife,withwickedarts.

CREON.Iwantnoprofitnow,butletmedieWithcursesifIdidthethingThatyouaccusemethatIdid.

JOCASTA.Ohbythegodsbelieveit,Oedipus.Honourthegods’oathoverallothersAndmeandalsotheseherepresent.

CHORUS.Betrusting,wantit,thinkit,Ibegyou,King.

OEDIPUS.HowdoyouwishIshouldgivewaytoyou?

CHORUS.ThismanwhoneverbeforewasfoolishAndnowbiginhisoathHonourhim.

OEDIPUS.D’youknowwhatyouareasking?

CHORUS.Ido.

OEDIPUS.Saywhatyourmindis.

CHORUS.ThatyoushouldholdthismaninholyloveNeverinblameWithanuncertainwordDishonourablyexpelhim.

OEDIPUS.Betold,ifyouseekthisyouseek

Myruinormyfleeingtheland.

CHORUS.Notso,byallthegods’ForerunnerHelios!Forgodless,friendlessIntheuttermostletmefounderIfIhavesuchathought.ButmyunhappysoulBythewitheringlandisweariedWhentheyarriveaswell,troublestotroubles,Totheoldnowyours.

OEDIPUS.Hegoes,evenifIdieindeedforthwith,Heisdishonourablybanishedfromthelandbyforce.Notyoursnorhismouth’syammeringmovesmeTomercy.Throughandthroughletmeloathehim.

CREON.YouareacowardwhenyougivewayglumlyAndwhenyouoverleapyourtemperheavily.Itirkssuchsoulstobearthemselvesrightly.

OEDIPUS.Willyounotleavemeandgoout?

CREON.IgoMisknownbyyoubutlikemindedwiththese.

(ExitCREON.)

CHORUS.Woman,willyounotbringinThismanintothehouse?

JOCASTA.OnceIknowwhatitis.

CHORUS.AnunknownlookhascomeoverThewordsbutalsoUnjustthingsrile.

JOCASTA.Ofbothofthem?

CHORUS.Indeed.

JOCASTA.Andwhatwordwasit?

CHORUS.Mylandenough,enoughbeingtiredalreadyMightitnotwellbeleftthewayitstands?

OEDIPUS.SeewhereyougetwithgoodopinionIfyoudesertandturnawayyourheart.

CHORUS.King,Ihavesaidit

Notonlyonce,butyoualreadyknowIwouldappearwithoutathought,astrayInwisdom,ifIpartedcompanywithyouWhohaveledmyland,mybelovedland,Wanderingintroubles,Rightwithafairwind.Stillnowfarehappilyifyoucan.

JOCASTA.Bygods,tellmeitalso,KingWhyyouhaveraisedupsuchananger.

OEDIPUS.Iwill,becauseIhonouryouthemostOfthesehere,saywhatCreonworksagainstme.

JOCASTA.Sayit,ifyoubringaclearchargeinthequarrel.

OEDIPUS.TheysayIamthemurdererofLaius.

JOCASTA.Yourselfyouknowthisorlearneditfromothers?

OEDIPUS.Hesenttheseer,thetroublemaker,hereBecausehe,allhecan,loosesthetongues.

JOCASTA.Leaveyourthingbenowyouarespeakingof.Obeymeandlearnthis:thereisNomortalmanwhohastheseer’sart.I’llshowthattoyouwithastrikingsign.AwordcameoncetoLaius,I’llnotsayfromPhoebushimselfbutfromthegod’sservants,ThathimthefatewaswaitingfortodieBythesonthatcamefromhimandme.But,sothestoryspeaksit,hewaskilledByforeignmurderersonatriplehighway.However,whenthechildwasborntohimNotthreedaysafterthathefastenedThejointsofhisfeetupandwithstrangers’handsHethrewhiminthemountainswherewecannotgo.AndnotfulfilledtherebyApollowasitthatHewashisfather’smurderernordidhedie,Whofearedthatterriblething,byLaius’son.Thusdidtheseers’sayingsexplainthemselves.Donotmindthem.ForwhatagodSeesneedfulhewillopeneasilyhimself.

OEDIPUS.How,hearingthis,confusiongripsmysoul,Woman,tumultmysenses.

JOCASTA.Whatworrytroublesyouthatyousaythis?

OEDIPUS.ItseemstomeIheardfromyouthatLaiusDiedonatriplehighway.

JOCASTA.Soitwassaid,norhasitceasedtobe.

OEDIPUS.Whereistheplacethisfateoccurred?

JOCASTA.TheycallthelandPhocis.AsplitwaycomesFromDelphitoitandfromDaulia.

OEDIPUS.Andhowmuchtimehassincegoneoverthis?

JOCASTA.Closelyprior,beforeyoutooktheland’sLordship,thenewswasgiventothecity.

OEDIPUS.OhZeuswhatdoyouwishtohappenbyme?

JOCASTA.OhOedipuswhyisthisinyourmind?

OEDIPUS.Don’taskme,onlysayofLaiusHowwastheman,atwhatheightofhisage?

JOCASTA.Big,likewoolhiswhitehairflowering,Andyourstheformofhimwasnotunlike.

OEDIPUS.Pityme.TrulyjustnowwhenIbrokeoutViolentlyincursesIknewnothing.

JOCASTA.Whatareyousaying,King?Yourlookmakesmeafraid.

OEDIPUS.Ihaveapowerfulfeartheseercansee.Sayonethingelseandyouwillclearitmoreup.

JOCASTA.Iamafraid.Butaskme.WhatIknowI’llsay.

OEDIPUS.Didhegooutaloneor,likeanoverlord,Didhehavewithhimmanypugnaciousmen?

JOCASTA.Fivewereall.Therewasaheraldwiththem.Amule-cartcarriedonlyLaius.

OEDIPUS.Grief!Grief!Nowitismanifest.WhowasIt,wife,whospokethewordsoutthen?

JOCASTA.Aservantwhohadrunawayalone.

OEDIPUS.Ishestillpresentinthehouses?

JOCASTA.No,not.SincehecamehereandlearnedYouhadthepowerandLaiushadbeenkilledHebeggedmehard,touchingmyhands,tosendhim

Intothecountry,tothesheeppastures,Wherehewasfarthestfromthecity’sface.AndIdidso,forhewasfit,thisman,Theservant,tohavegreatergracethanthat.

OEDIPUS.Howmighthenowcomequicklybacktous?

JOCASTA.Hecanattend.Whydoyouwantthis?

OEDIPUS.Iaminfearofmyself,woman,thatIHavesaidtoomuchwhyIdesiretoseehim.

JOCASTA.Hewillcome.ButIamworthyalso,amInot,tohearwhattheillyouhaveis,King?

OEDIPUS.DonotabaseyourselftoomuchontheaccountOfhowIam.TogreaterthanyouareI’dtellhowsuchalothasbeendealtme.MyfatherPolybuswasfromCorinth,ThemotherMeropefromDoris.ThereIwasesteemedthegreatestofthecitizensUntilthisfatecameovermeandit,Butnotmyzeal,maywellbewonderedat.AmanfeastingandfullofdrunkennessToldmeinwineIwasfalselymyfather’sAndI,enraged,hardlyheldoutThepresentdaybutwentthefollowingTomotherandtofather,askedaboutit.CrosslytheyboretheinsultoffthemanThiswordhadslippedfrom.ThatcheeredmeInthem.ButstillitstabbedatmeForthereweremanythingsbehindit.UnbeknownstTofatherandtomotherIwentawayToPytho.PhoebusscantedmethethingIhadcomefor,sentmeawayandshowedmeOthertroublinggrossunhappythingsAndsaidthatwiththemotherImustbeMixedandgetabroodunbearableTohumanbeingstolookuponandbeThemurdererofmyfatherwhohadplantedme.WhenIheardthis,beneaththestarsImeasuredAllthegroundofCorinth,fleeingsoThatneverthereofmybadquestiontoTheoracleIwouldbeholdtheshame.ButwanderingIcameintothedistrict

Where,asyousay,thelordwaskilled.Alsotoyou,woman,andtrulyIsaythatIdidapproachuponthetriplehighwaywhereTheheraldandaman,asyoureport,Ridinginawagonpulledbyfoals,metmeAndviolentlyoutofthewayTheleaderandtheoldmandroveme.AshesteeredonatmeIstruckthedriverInrage,andstandingbythewagonwhentheoldmanSawmeheaimedatthemiddleofmyheadAndstruckmewiththedoublegoad.HepaidForitunequally.ForswiftlysmittenheBythesehandswiththeirstaffwastoppledBackwardssuddenlyoutofthecart.Ikilledthemall.ButifthatstrangerhasWithLaiusanythingincommonWhoissounblessedasthemanIamAndwhomorehatefultothespiritsthanhimWhomnobodyabroadmayandnocitizenInviteintothehouseandnoonespeaktoButmustdrivefromthehouse,whichcurseNobodydidtomebutImyself.Alsothedeadman’smarriagebedIsoilWiththehandshediedby.AmIbad?AmInotquiteunclean?AndmustIfleeAsfugitiveImaynotseemyownNorgotohome,orshallIbeTogetherwiththemotheryokedformarriageAndshallIkillthefatherPolybusBegetterofmeandwhonourishedmeup?WouldanyonewhojudgedthemanIamNotsaythisdoingwasabrutalspirit’s?No,bytheholysunlightofthegodsLetmenotseethatdaybutratherDisappearfrompeopleandnotseeTheinsultofsuchachanceencounterme.

CHORUS.Tous,King,itisterriblebuttillyouLearnitfromsomeonewhowaspresent,hope.

OEDIPUS.ButnowthismuchremainstomeofhopeOnlytoawaittheman,theshepherd.

JOCASTA.Whenheappearswhatisityoudesire?

OEDIPUS.I’lltellyou.IfitisfoundthatheSaysthattoyou,thenImayfleethesuffering.

JOCASTA.Whatwordespeciallydidyouhearfromme?

OEDIPUS.Hespokeofrobbers,soyousay,Thattheykilledhim.IfnowhestillUttersthesamenumberitwasnotIKilledhim.Onecannotequalmany.IfhenamesonemanhavingnocompanionsClearlyuponmenowthisdeedcomes.

JOCASTA.Beassured,thewordisverymanifestAndheisnotallowedtotoppleit.Thecityheardit,notmyselfalone.IfnowsomewhatheshiftsfromtheformerwordStillhewillnot,King,makeknownLaius’MurderrightandstraightasLoxiasUtteredit,thathe’ddiebymychild.ThatpoorunfortunatewasnothiskillerthenOfcourse,butperishedearlieritself.SointhepropheciesI’mnotinclinedNownorthefirsttimetoseeanything.

OEDIPUS.Youmeanitwell.ButsendamessengerTothecountryman,donotneglectto.

JOCASTA.Iwillsendquickly.Butletusgoindoors.Ishouldnotliketodowhatyoudon’twish.

(Theyexit.)

CHORUS.WouldthatitweremypartTohaveholinessinwordsexactlyAndinalltheworkswhoselawsArebeforeoureyesandhavebeenshapedandbornOftheheavenlyetherandhaveForfatherOlympusalone.NomortalnatureOfmenbegotthemNorwilltheyeversleepandbeforgottenButinthoselawsthegodisgreatAndneverages.

Boldnessplantstyrants,over-BoldnessfillingupvainlyoverfullwithmanythingsNottimelyandnothealthy

Itclimbstothehighest,ittopplesIntoabruptnecessityNotusingitsfeetaright.ButIpraythegodwillneverundoThecity’soldgoodstanding.GodIwillneverleavebutasOnesetbeforemekeephim.

ButifamanlooksbeyondandwanderswithhandsorWithwordsanddoesnotfearwhatisrightandDoesnothonourthethronesofthedaimonsLetabadfatehavehimForhisunseemlyshowingIfhiswinningsarenotwonrightIfheshutsupwhatismanifestAndseizeswhatisuntouchable,thefool.HowmayamaninhisheartandmindthenShutupthearrowsandnotDefendhissoul?ForareSuchdoingsproper?WhatshallIsing?

NeveragainshallIgototheearth’sUntouchablenavelwithaweNortothetempleinAbaeIfthisisnotrightManifestlytoallmortalmen.Butinyourpower,Zeus,RulingallthingsifyouHeartheuprighttruthLetitnotbehiddenfromyouandyourImmortallylastingrule.ForLaius’oldWordsfromthegodsarecomingtonothingandnolongerIsApollomanifestinhonour.God’smattersaregoingunhappily.

FOURTHACT

FIRSTSCENE

JOCASTA.AMESSENGER.CHORUS.Later,OEDIPUS.

JOCASTA.Oyoumycountry’skings,thethoughtcametomeTogointothetemplesofthedaimons,hereTotakeupincenseinmyhandandcrowns.ForupwardsOedipusliftshisspiritInmanifoldtormentnotlikeamanCalmly,hereadsnewthingsfromold.Hiswordhoweveris,thoughhespeaksfear,ThatI,totheend,shouldnotdoanymoreButshouldtoyou,OLycianApollo,sinceyouAreverynear,comeonmykneeswiththisWorshipthatyoumightsendusSomemeansspeedilysaving.ForweAreallafraidnowseeinghimStrucklikethesteersmanoftheship.

MESSENGER.CanIhearfromyou,strangers,whereThehousesoftherulerare,ofOedipus?Youarethebesttotellmewherehelives.

CHORUS.Thehouseishereandheisinit,stranger,Andthisladyismotherofhischildren.

MESSENGER.MaysheberichandalwayswiththerichAndalwaysbetheweddedwifeofhim.

JOCASTA.Richestoyoutoo,stranger,youdeservethemForthatkindword.ButtellmeWhatpleayoucomewithorwhatnews.

MESSENGER.Withgoodintothehouseandtothehusband,lady.

JOCASTA.Whatisitandwhoisityouhavecomefrom?

MESSENGER.IcomefromCorinth.MywordwillgladdenyouPerhaps.Hownot?Orsaddenyou,itmight.

JOCASTA.Whatisitthathasdoublepowerinthisway?

MESSENGER.AslordthenativesoftheIsthmuswant

Tosethimupandhavethethroneinthatplace.

JOCASTA.Howso?OldPolybusnolongerrules?

MESSENGER.Nomore.NotnowDeathholdshiminthegrave.

JOCASTA.Whatareyousaying?Polybusisdead?

MESSENGER.IfI’mnotspeakingtruthletmedietoo.

JOCASTA.Ohmaidwon’tyougotothelordatonceAndsayit?OyoupropheciesOfthegods,whereareyou?LonghasOedipusFledfromthemansothathewouldnotkillhimWhodiesoffnowbychancenotbyhisdoing.

OEDIPUS.Mostloved,oyou,mywife’s,Jocasta’sheadWhydidyoucallmehereoutofthehouses?

JOCASTA.Hearhim,thisman,enquireandhearwhereareThehigh,theseer’ssayingsofthegod.

OEDIPUS.Butwhoisthisandwhatdoeshetellme?

JOCASTA.HecomesfromCorinth,saysthatPolybusYourfatherisnomore,saysheisdead.

OEDIPUS.Yousaywhat,stranger?Enlightenmeyourself.

MESSENGER.IfImustmakethisknownclearlythefirstThenhearme:hehasgoneawaywithDeath.

OEDIPUS.Diedsecretly?Drewsicknessonhimself?

MESSENGER.Asmalloccurrencemakesoldbodiesstill.

OEDIPUS.Theoldmanwaswilting,soitseems,withsickness.

MESSENGER.Andwiththelargeenoughmeasureoftime.

OEDIPUS.Wellthen.Whonowanothertimewouldquestion,wife,TheprophesyinghearthorfromAbove,screaming,thebirds,whosesenseitwasIwastokillmyfatherwhohasdiedAndintheearthissleeping;herehoweverAmIandcleanmylanceunlessHelosthislifeinadreambyme.InthatwayLethimhavediedbyme.HetakeswithhimTheseer’ssayingstodayandliesnowInHades,Polybus,nolongervalid.

JOCASTA.DidInottellyoulongagothiswouldbe?

OEDIPUS.Youdid.Iwasseducedbyfear.

JOCASTA.Takenothingfurthernowtoheartfromthatman.

OEDIPUS.ShallInotfearmymother’sbedeither?

JOCASTA.WhatshallamanfearwhoiscloseWithluck?Nothingisthereclearinklingof.ToliveaheadthewayonecanThatisthebest.DonotfearmarriagewithYourmotherforoftenamortalmanIndreamshaslaindownbeforenowWithhisownmother.ButwhoevercountsThisnothinghebearslifethelightest.

OEDIPUS.AllthiswouldbewellsaidbyyouwerenotThemotherlivingstillbutwhileshelivesThereisgreatneed,wellthoughyouspeak,tofear.

JOCASTA.Andyetagreatlightisyourfather’sgravetoyou.

OEDIPUS.Agreat.Indeed!Ionlyfearthelivingwoman.

MESSENGER.Whatwomanareyoufearfulonaccountof?

OEDIPUS.Oldman,itisMerope,wifeofPolybus.

MESSENGER.Whatisitmakingyouafraidofher?

OEDIPUS.Powerofagod-madeprophecy,Ostranger.

MESSENGER.Mayormaynotanothermanknowit?

OEDIPUS.Hemay.ItisthatLoxiasoncetoldmeImustmixwithmymotherAndtearmyfather’sbloodoutwithmyhand.OnthataccountlongsinceandfarawayIfledfromCorinthwithgoodluckbutitIslovelytootoseeourparents’eyes.

MESSENGER.Forfearofthatdidyouestrangeyourself?

OEDIPUS.Sonot,oldman,tobemyfather’smurderer.

MESSENGER.HaveInotnowfromthisyourfearBymykindcomingsetyoufree,OKing?

OEDIPUS.Andthankstoo,worthyofme,youwillget.

MESSENGER.ButmostlythisiswhyIcamehere:that

Ifyoucomehomeitwillbewellwithme.

OEDIPUS.I’llneverlivenearthosewhoplantedme.

MESSENGER.Youshowyoudon’tknowwhatyouaredoing,child.

OEDIPUS.HowdoI,bythegod,oldman?Speaksomething.

MESSENGER.Isitontheiraccountyouwon’tgohome?

OEDIPUS.IfearthatPhoebuswillcomecleartome.

MESSENGER.Thatyouwillgetsomeshamefromparents?

OEDIPUS.Justso,oldman,thisthingstillfrightensme.

MESSENGER.Doyounotknowthatyouarefearfulwrongly?

OEDIPUS.How?ThenamInotthatmother’schild?

MESSENGER.No.Polybuswasnotofyourstock.

OEDIPUS.Whatareyousaying?Polybusdidnotplantme?

MESSENGER.AboutasmuchasI’mtheonewhodid.

OEDIPUS.Buthow?Afatherwhoislikenobody?

MESSENGER.Afather,yes.NotPolybus,notme.

OEDIPUS.Whythendoesthatmancallmechild?

MESSENGER.Frommyhandhereceivedyouasagift.

OEDIPUS.Why,fromanotherhand,didhesoloveme?

MESSENGER.Itwashischildlessnessmovedhim.

OEDIPUS.Hadyouboughtmeorasthefathergaveme?

MESSENGER.IfoundyouinCithaeron’sgreenravine.

OEDIPUS.Doyougoaboutforsomethinginthoseplaces?

MESSENGER.Imindedtheanimalsofthemountainsthere.

OEDIPUS.Herdsman,ordidyouwanderfordaywages?

MESSENGER.Iwasyourrescuerinthattime,child.

OEDIPUS.WhatdidIhavetomakeyoucountmepoor?

MESSENGER.Theflexingsofyourfeetareyourinformers.

OEDIPUS.Ohme,whydoyounamethatoldevil?

MESSENGER.Iundidyou.Theendsofyourfeetwerestitched.

OEDIPUS.OutofmyswaddlingclothesIbroughtaviolentshame.

MESSENGER.Andafterthatthingyouarenamed.

OEDIPUS.That,gods,ohthat,bymother,father,speak!

MESSENGER.Idonotknow.Whogaveit,heknowsbetter.

OEDIPUS.Gotmefromothersorfoundmeyourself?

MESSENGER.No,foranotherherdsmangaveyoume.

OEDIPUS.Whoishe?Canyoutellmethatmuchclearly?

MESSENGER.Yes:thathecalledhimselfofLaius’people.

OEDIPUS.Whohadbeenformerlythelordofthisland?

MESSENGER.Mostlyhewastheherdsmanofthatman.

OEDIPUS.IshestilllivingsothatIcanseehim?

MESSENGER.Youknowthatbestwhoarethenativeshere.

OEDIPUS.IsthereamongyoupresentanyoneWhoknowstheherdsmanhehasnamedAndwhohasseenhiminthefieldsorhere?Reportitme.Thetimehascometofindit.

CHORUS.IknowofnoonebuthiminthecountryWhomyoubeforealreadyaskedtosee.Jocastamayhoweversayitbest.

OEDIPUS.Doyounotthink,wife?Him,towhomwesentThemessenger,ismeantbythisman?

JOCASTA.Whospokeofwhichone?Whatisittoyou?Andwhatwassaiddon’tthinkonittoomuch.

OEDIPUS.ItmustnotbethatI,onsignslikethese,ShouldnotuncoverwhatbloodIamof.

JOCASTA.Bygods,donot.Ifyou’recharyoflifeThendonotsearch.Ihavesickenedenough.

OEDIPUS.Becheerful.IfIfromthreemothersWerethreetimesserfitwouldnotloweryou.

JOCASTA.Butfollowme,Ibegyou,donotdoit.

OEDIPUS.Icannot,muststillfinditoutexactly.

JOCASTA.Imeanitwell.I’mtellingyouwhat’sbest.

OEDIPUS.Thisbestthoughhastormentedmealongtime.

JOCASTA.Pooryou,mayyouknowneverwhoyouare.

OEDIPUS.Willsomeonegoandfetchtheherdsmantome?Lethertakepleasureinrichstemandstock.

JOCASTA.Alas,alas,unhappyman.ThisonethingIcanstillsaytoyou.Nownothingelse,ever.

(Sheexits.)

CHORUS.WhydidthewifeofOedipusdepartOnthatspringofwildpain?IamafraidOutofthisquietanevilthingwillbreak.

OEDIPUS.Letbreakwhatmust.IwantmykithandkinHoweverbase,Iwanttolearnit.SheIsrightly–womenhavehighideas–Ashamedmybirthislowly.IhoweverHoldingmyselftobethechildoffortune,Goddessofgifts,willnotgowithouthonourWithherformother.SmallandlargeThemoonsbornatmytimesurroundedmeAndsoproducedIwillnotexitsoButwilluncoverwhollywhoseIam.

CHORUS.IfIamasoothsayerAndknowinginmeaningByOlympusyouWillnotbeshy,CithaeronAtfullmoontomorrowButwillallowustoextolyouAscountrykinOfOedipusandnurseAndmotherandtosayofyouYouhavedoneourprincesKindness,buttoyouDarkPhoebusmaythisbepleasing.

Whohadyou,childWhooftheblessed,didoneApproachherselftoPanthewandereronmountainsorWereyoubroughtbyadaughterofLoxias

TowhomaresweetAllthecountry’slowlands,orCyllene’sKingorthebacchicgodWholivesonhighmountainsDidhereceiveyouasafindfromoneofthenymphsOfHeliconwhoareoftenhisplayfellows?

SECONDSCENE

OEDIPUS.CHORUS.THEMESSENGER.ASERVANT.

OEDIPUS.MayIalso,althoughIwasnotpresent,Elders,saysomething?IthinkIseetheherdsmanwehavelonglookedfor.Thisman’sappearanceisoflongoldageLikehishere.AlsoIknowmyservants,Theescort.ButwithyourknowledgeyoumayHelpme,havingseenthemanbeforeperhaps?

CHORUS.Betoldthen:yes,Iknowhim.IfoneeverWastruewithLaius,hewas,thisherdsman.

OEDIPUS.Iaskyoufirst,strangerofCorinth,Doyoumeanhim?

MESSENGER.Himyouarelookingat.

OEDIPUS.Oldman,lookatme,answermeWhatIaskyou:wereyouonceLaius’s?

SERVANT.Hisservant,notaboughtone,raisedinthehouse.

OEDIPUS.Doingwhatsortofwork,havingwhatlife?

SERVANT.MostlyIspentmylifeamongtheherds.

OEDIPUS.Whatregiondidyouliveinforthemostpart?

SERVANT.ItwasCithaeronandthelandaround.

OEDIPUS.Themanhere,doyounotknowwhereyoufoundhim?

SERVANT.Whatdidhedo?Ofwhichmanareyouspeaking?

OEDIPUS.Ofthatmanthere.Wereyoutogetheronce?

SERVANT.NotthatbythinkingquicklyIcansayso.

MESSENGER.Itisnowonder,butIdoremember

Theunknownmanmyself,knowverywellHeknowshowintheregionsofCithaeronHecamewithtwoherds,IwithoneTogetherfromthespringuntilthetimeOfArcturus,thetimeofthreewholemoons.InwinterthenIherdedbackintoMybyresaway,andhetoLaius’courts.DoInotspeakordoIrealandtrue?

SERVANT.Youspeakthetruthalthoughalongtimesince.

MESSENGER.ComenowandsayyouknowyougavetomeAchildthatIshouldcareforitandraiseit.

SERVANT.Whatareyouspeakingofthestoryfor?

MESSENGER.Heistheone,ohhimthere,whowasyoungthen.

SERVANT.Willyounotperish?Willyounotbesilent?

OEDIPUS.Oldman,ohdonotscoldhim,yourwordsmoreDeserveascoldingthandothoseofhim.

SERVANT.HaveIdonewronginanything,bestlord?

OEDIPUS.Saywhatit’scalled,thechildhespeaksof,himhere.

SERVANT.Hisspeechiswitless,himhereheiselsewhere.

OEDIPUS.Youwillnotspeakforthanksbutwillintears.

SERVANT.Don’tscourgeanoldmanforit,bythegods.

OEDIPUS.Willyounotfastenhimhishandsatonce?

SERVANT.Unluckyman,why,whatdoyouwanttoknow?

OEDIPUS.Didyougivethismanherethechildhespeaksof?

SERVANT.Idid.WouldIhadpassedawaythatday.

OEDIPUS.Youwillnowifyoudonotspeakaright.

SERVANT.MuchmorestillifIdospeakIamlost.

OEDIPUS.Theman,itseems,isdrivingtopostponement.

SERVANT.Notso.IsaidlongsincethatIdidit.

OEDIPUS.Wheredidyougetit?Wasityoursorothers’?

SERVANT.Itwasnotmine,Ihaditfromanother.

OEDIPUS.Whatcitizenwasthat,outofwhathouse?

SERVANT.No,bythegods,donotaskfurther,lord.

OEDIPUS.IfIaskthisonemoretimeyouarelost.

SERVANT.ThenitwassomeoneofthehouseofLaius.

OEDIPUS.Aservantorrelatedtothathouse?

SERVANT.OhnowIamsayingtheevilthingitself.

OEDIPUS.AndIamhearingit.ButhearImust.

SERVANT.HewasnamedsonofthathousebutinsideYourwifemaybethebesttosayittoyou.

OEDIPUS.Shegaveityouthen?

SERVANT.Yes,myking,shedid.

OEDIPUS.Todowhatwith?

SERVANT.SothatIshoulddestroyit.

OEDIPUS.Becausesheboreunluckily?

SERVANT.Forfearofbadthingssaid.

OEDIPUS.Whatthings?

SERVANT.Thatitwouldkilltheparentswastheword.

OEDIPUS.Wheredidyoumeetthen,youandtheoldman?

SERVANT.Helived,lord,asthoughwishingtodepartIntoafarland,there.ButhesavedyouForgrossestthings.BecauseifyouareheWhomthismannamesthenyouarewretched.

OEDIPUS.Howl!Howl!Thelotcomesoutexactly.Olight,Iseeyouforthelasttimenow.TheysaythatIamgotwhereIshouldnotHavebeenandsleepwithwhatIshouldn’tandthereWhereIwasnotallowedtoIhavekilled.

(Heexits.)

CHORUS.OhbroodsofmortalmenHowlikeandasnothingIcountyourlives.Forwhoever,anyman

WhocarriesmoreofhappinessFurtherthanitseemshemightHelivesinseemingandhefallsaway.NowIhaveyourexampleAndyourunluckydaimonIcallnooneofmortalmenhappy.

OverthemeasureyouhadhititAndwonwealthofgoodfortunethroughandthrough,OhZeus,andherwiththecrookednails,Theprophesyingvirgin,youundidherUpstandinglikeatoweramongmycountry’sdeathsOnwhichaccountyouwerecalledmykingAndhonouredhighestIngreatThebesruling.ButwheredowehearnowofamanWearierinthechangesoflifeDwellingintravail,wildwithpains?

OhOedipus,OhloftyheadYouhadamatrimonialharbourlargeenoughAssonTogoinwiththefather.Howcould,howevercouldThefather’stracks,OhyouunhappymanMutelyfetchyouhither?Unwilling,timefoundyououtWhoseesallthingsAndsetupthemarriagethatwasalwaysnotAmarriagebecauseItcoupledwithitself.OhchildofLaiusWouldIhad,wouldIhadneverseenyouWhoamhowlingnowwhoonceExultedfromthemouth.ThetruthisthatIhadmywakingbreathfromyouAndlulledmyeyestosleep.

FIFTHACT

FIRSTSCENE

AMESSENGER.CHORUS.

MESSENGER.OyouhavingalwaysbeeninthecountryhereThemostrevered,whatworksmustyouNowlistentoandseeandwhatlamentNowraiseifyoubeingnativeherestillgrantThehousesofLabdacussolicitude.IthinkneithertheIsternorthePhasiswillWashcleanthishouseagainsomuchdoesitHarbour.Thebadiscomingtolightnow,Guiltlessorguilty.ButofevilsthatHurtsworstthatshowsasself-elected.

CHORUS.ItwantednothingmorethanwhatweknowAlreadyforsighing,whatdoyouknowelse?

MESSENGER.Itistheswiftestwordtosayandhear:Jocasta’sgodlyheadhaslostitslife.

CHORUS.Unluckywoman,onaccountofwhat?

MESSENGER.Ofherselfbyherself.OfthatthoughThesaddestisfaroff.Thesightismissing.Howeveryoushalllearn,asmuchasIHavememory,thatstruggler’ssuffering.ForwhenshecameinrageandtumbledintoTheinnercourtsheranfasttothemarriagebedAndtoreherhairoutwithherfingerpoints.AndhavingclosedthedoorbehindherShecalledforLaiuswhoislongsincedeadRememberingtheoldseedonaccountofwhichHe’sdeadandleftthemotheroverWhochildlessafterhimisgotwithchildrenAndwailsoverherbedwheresheunluckilyTwohusbandsmadeofoneandchildrenofthechild.AndhowthereuponshediedIdonotknowForOedipuscametumblinginwithscreamsAndherillfatewecouldnotseeforhim.Athim,howhewenthereandthere,welooked.

Hewanders,wishingwe’llhandhimaspear,Thathewillfindhiswife,hisnot-wife,andthefieldThatismotherofhimandofhischildren.OneofthedaimonsshowedithimragingAndnotamanofanypresentthere.Withviolencethen,asthoughunderadrover,HehurledatboththedoorsandburstThefoundingsofthehollowlocksandbrokeIntothechamberwherewesawthewomanhanging.Youwouldhaveseenherstrungandstrangling.Seeingher,hebellowed,he,thepoorman,loosedThehangingropeanddownontheearthhefell,Thesufferer.Thereuponthesightwasterrible.ThegoldenneedlesornamentingherHetorethemfromherdressandopenedthemAndstabbedintothebrightofhiseyesandsaidThisthereabouts:itwastonotseeher,AndnotwhathewassufferingandwhatbadhehaddoneSothatindarknessinthefuturethatwouldbeHowhesawotherswhomhemustnotseeAndthosethathewasknownto,unbeknownst.Andsoingleehestabbedoften,notonetime,Holdingthelidsup,andthebloodyapplesOftheeyesdyedhimhisbeardandnotindropsAsthoughspilledfromamurderranbutblacklySpilledthebloodwas,pelteddown.Itissuedfromacouple,notasoleevil,Anevilgottogetherbymanandwife.TheirformerwealthbeforethistrulywasAwealth.ButnowthisdaythereisSighinganderror,deathandshameasmanyasOfalltheevilstherearenames,nonelacking.

CHORUS.Howdoesthepoormanrestintheevilnow?

MESSENGER.HehowlsthattheyshoulddrawtheboltsandtoallTheCadmiansrevealthatman,Thefather-killer,him,themother’s,speaksUnholinessesIamnotallowedtosay.BanishhimselfhewishesfromthelandCursed,ashecursed,andnotrestinthehouse.StrengthhewillneedandonetoleadhimnowForitistoobigtobebornebyhim,Hissickness,buthe’llshowityou.

Theboltsareslid,thedoorsareopeningAndyouwillseeasightofsuchakindEvenanenemywouldhavemercysurely.

SECONDSCENE

CHORUS.OEDIPUS.Later,CREON

CHORUS.Ohterribletosee,agriefforpeople,Ohofthemallmostterrible,ofallthemanyIhavemet.Whatisit,pitiablething,Whatmadnesshascomeonyou,whatdaimonConductedyou,thehighestthereis,Intoyourlethalfate?Pitiableyou,alas,alas,butlookatyouIcannot,thingstosay,ThingstoadviseyoudoandthingstothinkIhaveinanynumber,suchAshudderyoucauseme.

OEDIPUS.Pain!Pain!Pain!Pain!OhIamsorrow.WheretoonearthAmIbeingcarriedsufferingthus?Andwheredoesthevoiceextendandwherewillitbringme?Whereareyoupulling,daimon?

CHORUS.Intoaweightofthings,unheardof,can’tbeseen.

OEDIPUS.Night,myowncloudofit,ohfrightfulFoamingaroundmeandcannotbesaidOrtamedorovercome,ohme,ohmeHowwiththesestabsThereentersintomeAtonceaworkingandamemoryoftheevils.

CHORUS.SuchbeingthemiseryitisnowonderYouhowlfortwoandbeartheevilstwice.

OEDIPUS.OhfriendConductorbidingneartomeForyoustillsuffermeAndtendme,blind.Alas,alasForyouarenotconcealedfrommeandthoughGoingdarkIdostillknowyourvoice.

CHORUS.Vastthingsalreadydone,howcouldyouSosoilyoureyes,whatdaimondroveyou?

OEDIPUS.Apollo,itwasApollo,friendsAchievedamiseryofthissize,Here,thesesorrows,mine.NodeathIdomyselfapeshisdonemeButsufferingIWhatshouldIlookuponTowhom,sighted,nothingwassweettolookupon?

CHORUS.Itwassoasyousay.

OEDIPUS.WhathaveIstilltoseeandstilltoloveOrhear,mydearones,anyfriendlything?LeadmeswiftlyfromthisplaceDearfriends,leadmenolongerfitforanythingAndmoreaccursedthananyoneandalsoHatefultothegodsthemostamongmankind.

CHORUS.SmallinspiritandonewiththeeventMywishisIhadneverknownyou.

OEDIPUS.FounderwhoeveritwasWhofromthewildAndwanderedmoorredeemedMyfeetandfromthemurderSavedandshelteredme.NothanksFordoingit.FordeadthenNottomylovedonesnortomyselfwouldIhavebeensuchagrief.

CHORUS.Mywishthiswouldhavebeenaswell.

OEDIPUS.ThenshouldInothavecomeasmurdererOfhimandgroomofherWhoseyoungIwas.TravailedIam.SonofunholybeingsAndmixedinsexwiththoseIstemfrom,wretched.WhateverancientEvilthereeverwasOedipusgotit.

CHORUS.IcannotsaythatyouhavecomeoutwellForyouwerebetternotalivethanblind.

OEDIPUS.ThisbeingaccomplishednownotforthebestGivenoopinionandadvisemenothing.

ItwasbecauseIdidnotknowwhateyesI’dseemyfatherwith,comingtoHades,Andmypoormothertoo.ForbothofthemI’vefashionedtroublesworsethantorture.Therewerethechildren’sfaces,lifteddaybyday,Aslifted,nevertobeseenbymenowWiththeeyesofmyoldage,thetowers,thetownAndthesacredlikenessesofthegods,ForofthemallonesinglemanupheldInThebesdeprivesmeandheisMyself,thevilest.ForIsaidmyselfThatallhatehim,godlessasheis,WhoisrevealedassomebodyunholyBygodsandasthefleshofLaius.ThushavingpublishedmydisgraceshouldIStilllookatthesethingswithstraighteyes?Never.No.ButifforthefountofsoundIntheeartherewasaboltIwouldnotholditOpenbutshutmytroubledbodyAndmakemeblindanddeaf.ForsweetIsadwellingplaceofthoughtawayfromevils.Cithaeron,ohwhydidyouharbourmeandnot,Receivingme,killmeatonceSoIshouldnevertellmenwhoIwas?OPolybusandCorinth,fatherlyAndcelebratedhomes,howwellYoubroughtmeup,wellhiddenfromevils.NowI’mfoundbadandsonofbadcreatures.OyouthreeroadsandyouthehiddengroveAndwoodandcrannywherethreeroadsmeetwhereYoudrankbloodfrommyhands,myblood,Myfather’s,doyouthinkofme,whatworksIdidamongyouandwhenIcamehereWhatIdidthen?Ohmarriage,marriage!Youplantedme.AndwhenyouplantedmeSodoingyousentthesameseedoutAndshowedforthfathers,brothers,children,oneRelatedblood,andvirgins,women,mothersAndwhatworstshamecanspringupamonghumans.Butthingsnotfittodoonemustnotsay.Quicklyaspossible,bythegods,entombMeoutsidesomewhere,killorflingMeintheseawhereI’llbeoutofsightforever.

Doit!BelieveitworthyourpainstotouchThemanoftroubles.FollowmeandbeFearless.FormyevilissuchThatnoman,never,carrieditbefore.

(EnterCREON.)

CHORUS.ForwhatyouwantCreonhimselfishereTodoandtoadvise.ForhealoneInsteadofyouislefttowatchtheland.

OEDIPUS.Ome,whatcanIsaytowhatyousay?WhatmarkofproperloyaltywillIhave?ForlongsinceinhiseyesIhavebeenfoundbad.

CREON.Idon’tcomeasamocker,Oedipus,Norsayinginblameoneoftheoldevils.ButifyoupeopledonotshyfrombeingseenBymortalbreeds,honouratleastTheflamethatpasturesallthingsofKingHelios.IlllikethiscannotbeshownuncoveredFortheearthwillnotnorwillthelightNorwilltheholyrainaddressit.Quicklynowbearhimininsidethehouse.TheyarethefittestwhoareofthebreeditselfToseeandlistentoaninbredevil.

OEDIPUS.Bygods,sinceyouhavestoppedmeinmylongingAndasthebesthavecometotheworstmanDowhatIask.Ispeakforyou,notme.

CREON.Whatisitthatyoubegsohardtogain?

OEDIPUS.FlingmequickestyoucanoutofthecountryWhereIwillnothaveanytalkwithpeople.

CREON.Ishouldalreadyhave,believeme,didINotwishtolearnfromGodfirstwhattodo.

OEDIPUS.Theutteranceisalldonebyhimalready:Destroythegodlessfather-killer,me.

CREON.Soitwassaid,butinthecasewestandinTolistenwhattodoisbetterstill.

OEDIPUS.Soyouwillaskaboutthistravailedmanstill?

CREON.Perhapsyou’llgivethegodyourcredencenow.

OEDIPUS.SoIprescribeityouandbidyou.HerinthehousesraisethewayyouwillHerhill,forrightlyyoudothatforyours.Butformyselfdon’tdeemitworththepainThatIshouldbeafellow-dwellerinThefatherlytownalive.ButletmedwellUponthemountainswheremyfamousCithaeronisthat,stillalive,mymotherAndfatherchosetobemyburialmoundSoImaydiethroughthosewhohavedestroyedmeThoughIknowthis,notsicknesscouldundomeNoranythingelse,forIwassavedfromdeathOnlyforthiscolossalevil.Butthismyfateletitgowhereitwill.Forthem,thechildren,forthemales,andme,Youneednotcare,Creon.TheyaremenAndwillnotsufferwantwhereverTheyareinlife.ButmytroubledgirlsWhoneverdidgohungryatmytablenorSitwithoutmeandeverythingItouchedTheyshared,theydodeservemercy.Alwaysinallthingstakegoodcareofthem.AndsurelyyoupermitthatItouchthemWithhandsandweepoverthemisery.Go,mykingOfnoblestockwillyounotgo?IfItouchthemItwillseemIamholdingthemaswhenIsaw.WhatamIsaying?BygodsdoInothearmydarlingsasTheyweepformeandCreoninhismercySendsthemtome,thedearestofmychildren.AmInotright?

CREON.Youare.Ihavethisminutebroughtthemyou.Iknowtheyalwayswereyourjoy.

OEDIPUS.MayyoubeblessedandmaysomespiritConductyoubetteronthewaythanme.Ohchildrenwhereareyou,comehere,comenowIntomybrotherlyhands,ohyouwhoonceWhenhewasraisinguptheplantsWeresuchapastureforhisthenbrighteyes,Childrentomewhoignorant,untaught,

Becameafathertherewherehewasploughedfrom.Iweepforyou,IcannotlookatyouThedrearyrestoflifeimaginingAndhowfrompeopleyoumustsufferviolence.Whereinwhatcitygatheringswillyougo?TowhatfestivityfromwhichyouwillnotGohomeintearsandnotasjoyousdancers?ButwhenyoucometothepeakofmarriageWhowillitbewhothrowshissonsawayAndtakestheshameandwhatuponmyparentsAndyouwillcome,theinsults?Fornoeviliswanting.YourfatherMurderedthefather,heploughedthechildbearerInwhomhewashimselfseededandwithThesamehehadyou,withtheonesfromwhomHehadissuedhimself.SotheywilljibeAndwhowillwanttocourtyou?Nobody,Children,butitiscertainyoumustpassawayDryandwithoutweddings.ButyouSonofMenoeceus,beingtheonlyoneLeftthemasfatherfortheoneswhohadthemWe,thepair,haveperishedDonotdespisethesepoorunmannedRelatedstrays.Youwillnot,willyou,EquatethemwithmyevilsbutwillshowthemMercy,seeingthistheirage.Theyaredesertedutterly.Itrestswithyou.Givemeyourwordonit,givemeyourhand.Children,ifyoualreadyhadthesensesThere’smuchI’dwarnyouof.NowpromisemeThethingslifehastohaveandthatyou’llliveLighterthanhewhogotyoudid,thefather.

CREON.Enough,whereareyougettingto,weeping?Nowgoindoors.

OEDIPUS.Amanmustfollowthoughitgivesnojoy.

CREON.Everythinginitspropertimeisgood.

OEDIPUS.DoyouknowwhatIwantnow?

CREON.Sayit.IwillknowifIhearit.

OEDIPUS.Sendmeawayoutofmyhomeland.

CREON.Thatwhichthegodgivesyouaskmefor.

OEDIPUS.Icomeasonegodshate.

CREON.Andsowillsoonreceiveit.

OEDIPUS.You’llsayitnow?

CREON.IwillnotsaytwicewhatIdonotthink.

OEDIPUS.Leadmeyourselfhencenow.

CREON.Go.Butleavethechildren.

OEDIPUS.Don’ttakethemoffme,ever.

CREON.Presumenothing.Notevenwhatwasyourswillfollowyouinlife.

CHORUS.DwellersinThebes’landseethisOedipus,Solveroffamousriddlesandaboveallmenaman.Payingnoheedtoothers’envynortofortuneIntotheweatherofagreatdoomhehascome.ThereforelooktothelastappearingdayWhoeverismortalandcallnomanfortunateuntilHehasgotthroughtohislife’sendwithoutgrief.

NotestoOedipus

Itwillbeagoodthing,givingpoetseveninourcountryasecuresocialexistence,ifpoetry,even in our country and notwithstanding the differences of the times and of the politicalsystems,israisedtotheμηχανηoftheAncients.

Otherworksofarttoo,comparedwiththeGreek,lackreliability;atleast,untilnowtheyhave always been judged more by the impression they make than according to theircalculable laws and other procedures bywhich beauty is brought into being.Butmodernpoetryisespeciallylackinginschoolingandcraftwhichwouldenableitsprocedurestobecalculated and taught and once learned be always reliably repeated in the practice.Mostimportantforhumankindistoseewithrespecttoeverythingthatit issomething, inotherwordsthatitisknowableinthemedium(moyen)ofitsappearance,thattheconditionsofitsexistence may be determined and taught. For that and for higher reasons poetry needsespeciallycertainandcharacteristicprinciplesandlimits.

Thereinbelongspreciselytheaforementionedcalculablelaw.Wehavetoseetheninwhatwaythecontentofaworkdiffersfromthislaw,throughwhat

procedure,andhowinan infinitebut thoroughlydetermined interconnection theparticularcontentrelatestothegeneralcalculation,andhowtheonwardmarchofthework,thethingsithastobringintoshape,thelivingsensewhichcannotbeachievedbycalculation,howallthatisrelatedtothecalculablelaw.

The law, the calculation, the way in which a sensibility, the whole person, under anelemental influence develops, and ideas, feelings, reasonings, in different sequences, butalwaysaccordingtoasureandcertainrule,areproducedoneafter theother, inthetragicpoemthisismoreamatterofweightingandbalancethanofpuresequence.

Forthetransportintragedyisofitselfempty,andthemostunbounded.For that reason in the rhythmical succession of scenes inwhich the transport ismade

manifest, it becomes necessary to havewhat in prosody is known as a caesura; the pureword, the counter-rhythmical interruption, is needed, so as to confront the pull of thesuccession of scenes at its height and in such a fashion that instead of facets of amanifestationtherecomesmanifestationitself.

Inthatwayadivisionismadeinthecalculatedsequenceandintherhythm,andthetwohalvesaresorelatedthattheyappearofequalweight.

If the rhythmof thescenes issuch that, ineccentric rapidity, theearlieronesaremorecarriedawaybythosefollowingthenthecaesuraorcounter-rhythmicinterruptionmustlietowardsthefrontsothatthefirsthalfis,aswemightsay,protectedagainstthesecond,and,becausethesecondhalfisoriginallyfasterandseemstoweighmore,thebalance,becauseofthecounter-workingofthecaesura,mustinclinefromthebacktowardsthebeginning.

Iftherhythmofthescenesissuchthatthelateronesaremoreunderpressurefromthoseat the beginning then the caesurawill liemore towards the end because it is the ending

whichmust,aswemightsay,beprotectedagainstthebeginning,andthebalancewillasaconsequenceinclinemoretowardstheendsincethefirsthalfextendsitselffurtherandthusthebalancecomeslater.Somuchconcerningthecalculablelaw.

ThefirstofthelawsoftragedyindicatedaboveisthatofOedipus.Antigoneproceedsaccordingtothesecondlaw.InbothplaysthecaesuraisconstitutedbyTiresias’sspeeches.Heenterstheprocessoffateasoverseerofthenaturalorderwhich,intragedy,removes

manfromhisownzoneoflife,fromthemidpointofhisowninnerlife,andcarrieshimintotheeccentriczoneofthedead.

To understand thewholewemust above all look closely at the scene inwhichOedipusinterpretsthemessagefromtheoracletooinfinitely,andistemptedtowardsthenefas.

Fortheoraclesays:

Phoebushasbiddenus,theKinghas,clearly,Wemusthuntdowntheshameourcountry’sgroundHasnourished,notnurturetheincurable.

Itwaspossible thatmeant:Judge, inageneralway,withstrictandpure judgements,keepgoodcivicorder.ButOedipusatoncerespondstoitinpriestlylanguage:

Throughwhatcleansingetc

Andgoesintotheparticular,

Whichisthemanhemeanswhohadthisfate?

AndsobringsCreon’sthoughtstotheterribleutterance:

Lordofusformerly,OKing,wasLaiusHereinthelandbeforeyouledthecity.

In thisway thewordsof theoracle arebrought into a connection theydonot necessarilyhavewiththestoryofLaius’death.ThenintheverynextsceneOedipus’spirit,inanangrypresentiment, knowing everything, actually utters the nefas, as he suspectingly points thegeneralcommandmentintotheparticularandappliesittoamurdererofLaiusandtakesthesinthentooforaninfiniteone:

WhoeverknewthesonofLabdacusAmongyou,Laius,bywhomhediedIsaytohim:tellallofittomeetc

Forthisman’ssakeIcurse(whoeveritmightbehereinthelandWhichIcommandthepowerofandthethrones)LetnobodyinviteorspeaktohimNortotheholyoathsnortoThesacrificestake…Theutterance

OfGodatPythoshowsmethisclearlyetc

Thus, in the exchanges that follow with Tiresias, the wondrous angry curiosity of aknowledge that has torn through its barriers and now, as though drunk in its lordlyharmoniousform(whichmayremainintact,forawhileatleast),incitesitselftoknowmorethanitcanbearorcomprehend.

ThuslaterinthescenewithCreonthesuspiciousnessofthoughtsthat,allunbridledandburdenedwithsadsecrets,arenowbecomingunsure,andthetrueandcertain intelligencesuffersinanangryexcessthatrevelsindestructionandletsitselfgodowntherapidsofthetimes.

Thus, in themiddle of the play, in the speecheswith Jocasta, the sad tranquillity, thefoolishness, the pitiable naïve error of the powerful man, when he tells Jocasta of hissupposedbirthplaceandofPolybus,whomhefearshewillkill,supposinghimhisfather,andMerope,whomhewillfleefrom,supposingherhismother,soasnottomarryher,afterthewordsofTiresias,whohastoldhimheisthemurdererofLaiusandthatLaiuswashisfather.ForinthealreadymentionedquarrelbetweenhimandOedipus,Tiresiassays:

ThemanYouseekwiththreatsandbroadcastingthemurderOfLaius,heishere,helives,itissaid,Withusasstranger,butasnativesoon,AsTheban,willbeshownandnotbegladOftheaccident.

HewillbeshownuplivingwithhischildrenAsbrotherandasfatherandthewoman’swhoBorehim,thesonandthehusband,inonebedwithThefather,hismurderer.

ThusatthebeginningofthesecondhalfoftheplayinthescenewiththemessengerfromCorinth,whenheistemptedagaintowardslife,thedespairingstruggletocometohimself,thetramplingandalmostshamelessstrivingtobemasterofhimself,theidiot-frenticpursuitofaconsciousness.

JOCASTA.ForupwardsOedipusliftshisspiritInmanifoldtormentnotlikeamanCalmly,hereadsnewthingsfromold.

OEDIPUS.Mostloved,oyou,mywife’s,Jocasta’shead

Whydidyoucallmehereoutofthehouses?OEDIPUS.Theoldmanwaswilting,soitseems,withsickness.MESSENGER.Andwiththelargeenoughmeasureoftime.

ItshouldbenotedhowatthispointOedipus’spiritraisesitselfuponthegoodwords;sothat thefollowingspeechesmayappearasproceedingfromanoblermotive.Here,notbyany means bearing things on Herculean shoulders, in fact in a lofty weakness, now tobecomemasterofhimselfheflingsthecaresofhiskingshipaway:

OEDIPUS.Wellthen.Whonowanothertimewouldquestion,wife,TheprophesyinghearthorfromAbove,screaming,thebirds,whosesenseitwas

IwastokillmyfatherwhohasdiedAndintheearthissleeping;herehoweverAmIandcleanmylanceunlessHelosthislifeinadreambyme.InthatwayLethimhavediedbyme.HetakeswithhimTheseer’ssayingstodayandliesnowInHades,Polybus,nolongervalid.

Finallywhatdominatesinthespeechesisasickmind’squestingafterconsciousness.

MESSENGER.Youshowyoudon’tknowwhatyouaredoing,child.OEDIPUS.HowdoI,bythegod,oldman?Speaksomething.OEDIPUS.Whatareyousaying?Polybusdidnotplantme?MESSENGER.AboutasmuchasI’mtheonewhodid.OEDIPUS.Buthow?Afatherwhoislikenobody?MESSENGER.Afather,yes.NotPolybus,notme.OEDIPUS.Whythendoesthatmancallmechild?MESSENGER.Iundidyou.Theendsofyourfeetwerestitched.OEDIPUS.OutofmyswaddlingclothesIbroughtaviolentshame.MESSENGER.Andafterthatthingyouarenamed.OEDIPUS.That,gods,ohthat,bymother,father,speak!JOCASTA.Bygods,donot.Ifyou’recharyoflife

Thendonotsearch.Ihavesickenedenough.OEDIPUS.Becheerful.IfIfromthreemothers

WerethreetimesserfitwouldnotloweryouOEDIPUS.Letbreakwhatmust.Iwantmykithandkin

Howeverbase,Iwanttolearnit.SheIsrightly–womenhavehighideas–Ashamedmybirthislowly.IhoweverHoldingmyselftobethechildoffortune,Goddessofgifts,willnotgowithouthonourWithherformother.SmallandlargeThemoonsbornatmytimesurroundedmeAndsoproducedIwillnotexitsoButwilldiscoverwhollywhatIam.

And precisely this questing after everything, this interpreting of everything, is the reasonwhyintheendhisspiritisdefeatedbytheroughandsimplelanguageofhisservants.

Because such people stand in violent circumstances their language too, almost in themanneroftheFuries,speaksinanexusofmoreviolentconnections.

Tragedyconsistschieflyinthis:thatthemonstrousnessofthepairingofGodandManandtheboundlesscomingtogetherinangerofthepowersofNatureandtheinnermostheartofaman, isgrasped in thecatharsisof thatboundlessunion throughboundlessseparation.Τηςφυσεωςγραμματευςηντονκαλαμοναποβρεχωνευνουν.

Hencetheconstanttoandfroofthedialogue,hencethechorusasitsantithesis.Hencetheall too chaste, all toomechanical interplay (ending in facts) of the different parts, in thedialogue, andbetweenchorus anddialogueand the largepassagesordramasmadeupof

chorusanddialogue.Itisallspeechagainstspeech,andthespeechescancellingeachotherout.

ThusinthechorusesofOedipus:sorrow,tranquillity,religionandthepiouslie(‘IfIamasoothsayer’etc),andpitytothepointofcompleteexhaustiontowardsadialoguethatinitsangry hypersensitivity will rend the hearts of precisely those listeners; the terrifyingceremoniousnessof thescenes;dramalikean inquisition,asright languageforaworld inwhich, amid plague and confusion of the senses and the spirit of prophecy flaring upeverywhere,inanidletimeGodandMan,sothatthecourseoftheworldshallhavenogapin it and the Immortals shall not fade frommemory, participate in one another in the all-forgettingformofaninfidelity;fordivineinfidelitycanberetainedthebest.

AtsuchamomentManforgetshimselfandtheGodand,likeatraitor,butinthewayofholiness,heturnsabout.–Foratthefurthestfrontierofsufferingnothingelsestandsbuttheconditionsoftimeandofplace.

At that frontierMan forgets himself becausehe iswholly in themoment; and theGodforgetshimselfbecauseheisnothingbuttime;andbothareunfaithful,timebecauseinsuchamomentitisacategoricalturning-pointinwhichbeginningandendcannotatallbemadetofit; and Man because at that moment of categorical turning he must follow but in whatfollowshecannotatallmatchwhatwasthereinthebeginning.

HaemonstandsthusinAntigone,andOedipushimselfthusatthecentreofthetragedyofOedipus.

ANTIGONE

DRAMATISPERSONAE

ANTIGONE.

ISMENE.

CHORUSofThebanElders.CREON.

AGUARD.

HAEMON.

TIRESIAS.

AMESSENGER.

EURYDICE.

ASERVANT.

FIRSTACT

FIRSTSCENE

ANTIGONE.ISMENE.

ANTIGONE.OcommonsisterlyIsmene’sheadDoyouknowanythingtheEarth’sFatherhasnotGonethroughwithuswhohaveliveduptohere,Anynameablething,sinceOedipuswassnatched?NotonesadworknoranyerrorandnoDisgraceandnodishonouranywhereisthereThatIinyourandmyunhappinesshavenotseen.ButnowhaveyouaninklingwhattheGeneralAminutesincehastoldusintheopentown?Haveyouheardit,ordoyounotyetknowThatonthelovedonestheenemy’sevilcomes?

ISMENE.Noword,Antigone,cametomeoflovedones,Nolovingwordnorsadeithersincewe,Thebothofus,lostbothbrothersWhodiedononedaybytwohands;ButnowthatgonetheArgivearmyisLastnight,furtherthanthatIknownothingAndamnothappierandnotsadder.

ANTIGONE.That’sasIthoughtandcalledyououtofdoorsForthis,thatyouparticularlycouldhearit.

ISMENE.Whatisit?Youseemtodyeyourwordswithred.

ANTIGONE.ForhasnotCreonwiththelastriteswreathedOneofourbrothersandtheotheroneinsulted?Eteocles,it’strue,theysayhetreatsJustlywithjustice,bythelaw,andhidesHimintheearth,pioustothedeaddownthere.Oftheother’sthough,whohasdiedwretchedly,OfPolynices’corpsetheysaytheyhaveBroadcastitinthecityheshallnotBehiddeninanygraveandnotlamented.Heshallbeleftunweptwithoutagrave,Sweetdishforthebirdsthatlookandlustforfood.SomesuchtheysaykindCreonhastoldyou

Andme,forImeanmyselftoo,AndcomesherenowtotellitclearlytoThemnotknowingit.AndthatthematterisNotonethatdoesnotmatter.WhodoessomethingWilldiethedeathbystoningintheplace.Soitstandsforyou.AndyouwillprovenowwhetherYouarewellbornorthebadoneofthegood?

ISMENE.Whatthen,unhappygirl,ifitstandsso?AmItoleaveitbeorgotothegrave?

ANTIGONE.Areyouwithme,todoandhelp?Askthat.

ISMENE.Youreckonrecklessly.Whatdoyoumean?

ANTIGONE.Willyouwiththishandherecarrythedeadman?

ISMENE.Hisgravewillyougotowhomthetownabjures?

ANTIGONE.Ofyouandme,Ithink,whetheryouwillorno,Thebrother.Iwon’tbecaughtfaithless.

ISMENE.Youhaverunwild.DoesCreonnotforbidit?

ANTIGONE.What’sminehasnotatalltodowithhim.

ISMENE.Ohme,remember,sister,howthefatherOfushatedandinfamouswentunderAftertheerrorshehadbroughtuponhimselfStabbinghispairofeyeswithhisownhand.Andthenthemother,wifealso,asorrowDoubled,howshewithtwistedcordsDefacedherlife.AndthirdthebrothersWhobothofthemononedaywiththehandsOfenemiesworkedarelateddeath.AndnowwetwowhoarealoneremainingPerishtheworstofallifweViolentlyevadetheruler’sforceAndorders.Thinkofthistoo:wearewomenAndmustnotmakeaquarrelagainstmen.Thentoo,becausethoserulingusarestrongerWehavetolisten,eventoworsethingsstill.ThereforeIbegthemwhoareundergroundForgivemethatthishasbefallenmeAndlettherulersruleremotefromus.Thereisnosenseindoingwhatgoesbeyond.

ANTIGONE.Iwon’tdemandit.Evenifyounowwished

Todoitafterall,yourhelpwouldbenojoy.No,youthinkasyoulike;butIWillburyhim.TodieafterisgoodthenAndlovelytoliebyhimthen,mylovedone,WhenI’vedonewhatisholy.ThenalongertimeIshallbelikedbythosedowntherethanhereForthereI’lldwellforever.You,ifyoulike,Givethingsbeforethegodsdeservinghonournone.

ISMENE.Idon’tgivenone.ButIwasnotbornrightTotakethestepofcitizensinrevolt.

ANTIGONE.Makethatyourexcuse.ButIwillgoAndheapagraveupformydearestbrother.

ISMENE.Alasforme,ohhowIfearforyou.

ANTIGONE.Don’tcounselme.Comeoutwithyourownlife.

ISMENE.Verywell.Butletnobodyhearthedeed.Keepsilentnow.ThenIcanbetherewithyou.

ANTIGONE.Isaycryitoutloud.IhateyouevenmoreIfyoukeepquietandwon’tspeakoutbeforeall.

ISMENE.Howwarmyoursoulfeelstowardsthechillydead.

ANTIGONE.IknowwhoImusttrytopleasethemost.

ISMENE.Yes,if.Butwhatyou’retryingcan’tbedone.

ANTIGONE.True,ifIcannotImustleaveitbe.

ISMENE.Nooneneedchasewhatfromthestartnoonecando.

ANTIGONE.Ifyoucansaythatandthelike,Ihateyou,Alsothedeadmanhatesyouandisrightto.LetmehoweverandmyerrantcounselSuffertheviolence.ForIamnotatallSodelicatethatImaynotdiewell.

ISMENE.Ifitseemssotoyou,gothen.Butlisten:Yourspeechissenseless,thoughtokindredkind.

CHORUS.Oglanceofthesun,theloveliestshoneOnThebesforalongtimeTheseven-gated,nowyoushineOlight,OglimpseOftheeyeofthegoldendayRisingoverDirce’sstreams

AndovertheWhiteShield,himfromArgos,ThemancomehereinhisweaponryFledatfulltiltYoucurbedhimsharplyandmovehimalongWithwhomPolynicesSwunghimselfoverourlandFromadoublequarrelandsharpasaneagleHescreamedandflewSnowwhitehiswingsTerrible,withweapons,withmany,Andhelmetsswishwithhorsetails,

AndstoodupoverthepalacesandpointedatThesevenmouthsinaringFullofbloodyspearsButleft,nothavingFilledhischeekswithourbloodandbeforeHephaestus’torchHadtakenthecrownofthetowers.SotherumbleofMarsWasontheenemy’sbackAndbaulkedthedragon.ForZeusdetestsAbigtongueboastingandwhenheseesTheirlongstridescomingandlooksintoTheirgoldandvainanticipationSwingingfireHetopplesthemfromwhereOnsteepstepsToosoontheyweresingingthegleefulvictory.

Theyhitthehardground,tumblingdown,WhohadsnortedhitherInpassion,drunk,ThebacchanticmobInarageOnthethrowofunluckywindsButfoundsomethingelse;ForthebattlewraithdealsThistohim,thattohimWhenhecomesathimhardwithhisjustdesertsAndsmasheshishands.Sevenprinces,setupAtsevengates,equaltoequal,theylost

TheirweaponsofbronzetotriumphantZeusExcepttheabominableGotbyonefather,bornofonemother,againstoneanotherTheylevelledthedoubledspearsandreceivedThelotofadeathincommon,thatpair.

ButthebignameofvictoryhascomeAndfavouredthenumerouschariotsofThebes.NowafterthewarLettherebeforgetting.Toallthegods’templesWithchoirsthroughthenightComeandshakeThebesWiththestampanddancingofBacchus.ButCreon,kingOftheterritory,sonofMenoeceus,newfromThenewdispensationsofthegodsIscomingtospeakHiscounselsincehehascalledAndcommandedherethegatheringofeldersAndsentpublicword.

SECONDSCENE

CREON.CHORUS.

CREON.Citizens,ouronecity,aftershakingitWithagreatfloodourgodsNowonceagainhavegivenitbackitsshape.ButyoufortworeasonsofallthemenIhavesummoned,foronebecauseIknowYouhonourproperlytheruleofLaius’throneThenalso,whenOedipussetupthecityAndafterwardswentunder,youremainedTrue-mindedtothechildrenofthoseparents.SincetheynowinadoubledispensationOnonedayperishedstrikingandStruckdowninashameoftheirownhandsIhavethepowertotallyandthethroneEnsuingfromthefamilyofthedead.ButonlywithsuchwhoareusedtorightandordersCanweinsoulandcastofmindandthinkingGetoninunderstanding,withothershardly.

Foritseemstomeamanpre-eminentWhodoesnotholdhimselfinthehighestthinkingButinafearfulnesskeepshistonguelockedAbadlifethat,isnowandalwayswas.AndwhorateshigherthanhismotherlandSomedearestthingofhisown,Icounthimnothing.ForI,Zeusknows,whoseesallthings,always,IwillnotkeepitquietifIseeerrorComingtothecitizensagainsttheirwelfare,norIfonthegroundherethere’sasulkingmanMakehimmyfriend,forthatground,Iknow,HoldsustogetherandifourconductThereonisright,thatwaywemaywinfriends.BysuchprescriptionI’lladvancethecity.AndmeanwhilelikewiseIhaveinformedthecitizensConcerningtheprogenyofOedipus.Eteocles,ofcourse,whofightingforthecityDied,aligningallthingswithhisspear,CoverhimwiththegraveandblessWitheverythingfit,thebestofthedeadbelow.ButhewhoishisrelativeinbloodHim,Polynices,thereturningfugitiveWhowishedtotopplehisfather’slandandthegodsOfhomewithfirefromthecrowndownwardsAndpastureonrelatedbloodandthesehereLeadthemawaycaptive,IsayofhimAndinthecityithasbeenproclaimedThatnooneburyhim,noonemournhim,Thathebeleftunburiedandonshow,Ameal,ameattornupbybirdsanddogs.ThisismymindandneverwillthebadBemoreinhonourwithmethanthegood.Whomeansthecitywellthough,deadoralive,Equallyforeverhehasmyesteem.

CHORUS.SonofMenoeceus,Creon,youthinkthusConcerningthecity’senemyandherfriendAndoverallyoumakeuseofthelawConcerningthedead,likewisetheliving.

CREON.You,overseetheaforesaidmatternow.

CHORUS.Fillsuchlikepostswithyoungermen.

CREON.Notthat.Thecorpsealreadyhasawatchoutthere.

CHORUS.Butinthedutyyouaretakingusuptoo.

CREON.Yes.Therearecertainpeoplethisdispleases.

CHORUS.There’snosuchfoolherewhowillgladlydie.

CREON.Thatisthewages.ButwithhopesoftenOfprofitingamanhascometogrief.

THIRDSCENE

CREON.CHORUS.MESSENGER.

MESSENGER.MyKing,thistimeIdon’tcometellingyouThatIamfetchedherebyabreathlesshurryAndliftedmyfeetlightly.OftenWorryheldmebackandturnedmeonthewayTowardsretreat.MysoulwassingingmeHermanydreams.Pooryou,whereareyougoing,Whereareyouanswerablewhenyouarrive?Unluckyyou,don’tgo,butifyoudon’tCreonwillhearitfromanotherperson.Howwillyounotbestillintroublethen?Thinkingsuchthings,slowlyItookmytimeAndsoalittlewaybecamealongone.FinallyofcoursethiswonthatIHadtocomehere,andthoughIspeakfornothingI’llsayitnonetheless.ForIcomeinhopesOnlywhathastobewillfollowonwhatIdid.

CREON.Whyisitthatyoucomewithsuchsmallcourage?

MESSENGER.I’lltellyoueverythinginthisthat’smineForneitherdidIdoitnorknowwhodidAndshallnotfairlysufferpunishment.

CREON.Youmakeprovision,allaboutencircleThedeed,andseemtopointtosomethingnew.

MESSENGER.Heavyweightthingsareverydifficult.

CREON.Speak,willyou,finally,thengoagain.

MESSENGER.I’lltellyou.JustnowsomeonewhoescapedHasburiedthedeadman,twicesprinkledtheskinWithdust,andinthefitwayhonouredhim.

CREON.Whatdoyoumean?Whowasitdareddothis?

MESSENGER.Notthinkable.NowherehadanymattockGoneinoranyshovelthrust,thelandWassolid,theearthnowheredugup,Notriddenoverbywheels.ThemasterhadleftNomarkandwhentheday’sfirstglimpsedenouncedIttous,ithadaneeriefeel,likeamiracle.Notceremonial.Notaburialmound.OnlyagentledustasthoughsomeonehadshiedBeforetheban.AndnowhereanyfootstepsOfwildbeasts,ordogsthathadcomeandtorn.Anddirewordswentcrossingtoandfro.Oneguardaccusedanother,andalmostItwouldhavecometoblows.FornobodyHadstoppedit,everyoneseemedhemightHavedoneitbutnooneevidentandeachHadsomethinghecouldsayonhisaccount.ButwewerereadytohandleredhotironAndgothroughfiresandswearbythegodsThatwehaddonenothingandthatweKnewnothingofwhoeverhaddeliberatedOrcarriedoutthehappening.AtlastWhentherewasnothinglefttoaskonesaid,AndallofusourheadsbywhathesaidWeresunkdowntotheground,forfear,fornothingAgainstitoccurredtousnorhowwemightManagetodoitwell:wesaidwemustReportthedeednothideitfromyou.Andthistriumphed:myspiritsleftmeandthelotFellonmethatIshouldbetheconscienceAndhereIamnowpresent,againstmywillAndnotinthepresenceofwelcomers,Iknow,Fornobodylovesthebearerofdirewords.

CHORUS.Myking,myconscienceisadvisingmeItmaybegodswhoaretheworkershere.

CREON.Leavethat,beforeyoutalkmeintojudgmentInrageandyoubefoundsenileandfoolish.ForitfallsalltooheavilythatyousayThespiritsinthecountryovertheremightbeThoughtfulonaccountofthisdeadman.Honoursotenderlyandshadeamanwhocame

ToburntheclustersoftheirtemplecolumnsAndsacrificesandtoburstasunderTheirlandandlaws?OrhaveyouseenBadmenbeinghonouredbytheheavenlygods?Never.SomeinthecityhavehoweverTakenthisthingamissalongtimenowAndmuttersecretly,shakingtheirheadsAndintheharnesswillnotbowtheirnecksThenecessarywayforhumanbeings.Fromthemhavecomesomegiftstothesehere,I’msureofthat,toputthemuptothis.ForamongallthingseverstampedforuseNoneissobadassilver.WholetownsItleadsastray,andgoadsmenfromtheirhouses.ItcandeformandalterhonestmindsUntiltheythinkthebadworksmendogood.ItshowsmenmanywaysofmoneymakingAndtheknackofanyandeverygodlesswork.Howevermanydidthis,forreward,Intimethereckoningwillcomeforwhattheydid.ButiftheLordoftheEarthlivesinmetooIdoknowthisand,putonoath,IsayIttoyounow:youmustdeliverupWhodidtheshovellingofthedead,bringhimBeforemyeyesor,hungonthecrossalive,Betraythewholeluxuriantschemetome.ThenmakeyourselvespreparedforHell.Thenseewhereyoucandrawyourwinningsfrom,WithoneanothersharetheplunderandfindoutNoteverythingismadeformakingmoney.ThenyouwillknowthatbybadprofitingMorehavebeendisappointedthanpreserved.

MESSENGER.DoyougivesomethingImustdo,orshallIgo?

CREON.Doyouknowwhatpainthereisnowinyourwords?

MESSENGER.Doesitstabtheearorstabthelifeinside?

CREON.Wheredoyouthinkwhat’sgrievingmeresides?

MESSENGER.Thedoerplaguesyourmind,Iplagueyourears.

CREON.Suchterribletalkisinyournature,isit?

MESSENGER.BecauseI’mnotapartyinthisbusiness.

CREON.Youare!Formoneyyouarethetraitorofyoursoul.

MESSENGER.Knowledgeisterriblewithoutthetruth.

CREON.Mullthelawhowyoulike.ButifyoudonotDenouncetheoneswhodidityoumaysayThatprofitwronglygotisbadforyou.

(ExitCREON.)

MESSENGER.Theycanbesoughtafter,that’strueenough.Buthitaswell?Iwonder.SuchthingsHappenthewaytheyhappento.ItdoesnotseemYouwillbeseeingmecomehereagain.Beingbeyondmyhopes,andnotasIexpected,Preserved,Igivethegodsmuchthanksnow.

(ExitMESSENGER.)

SECONDACT

CHORUS.Monstrous,alot.ButnothingMoremonstrousthanman.Forhe,acrossthenightOfthesea,whenintothewintertheSoutherliesblow,heputsoutInwingedandwhirringhouses.AndthenobleearthofthegodsinheavenTheunspoilabletirelessearth,Herubsout;withthestrivingploughFromyeartoyearHedoeshistrade,withtheraceofhorses,AndtheworldofthegailydreamingbirdsHeensnares,andhuntsthem;AndthetrainofwildbeastsAndPontus’naturethatthrivesinsaltWithspunnetsThisknowingman.AndcatchesthegamewithhisartsThatsleepsandroamsonthemountains.Andovertherough-manedhorseheflingsTheyokeonitsneck,andoverthemountain–Wanderinganduntamedbull.

AndspeechandairyThoughtandtheprideforgoverningcitiesHehaslearnedandtofleethedampairsOfill-dwellinghillsandtheirUnluckyarrows.All-travelledUntravelled.Hecomestonothing.OnlythefutureplaceofthedeadHedoesnotknowhowtofleeNortothinkofawayOfflightfromclumsyplagues.PossessingsomethingMorethanhehopesofwisdomandtheskillsofartHecomestogriefonetimeandtogoodanother.HeoffendsthelawsandtheswornconscienceOfearthandtherulersofnature.Inhighcivilityuncivilhecomes

TonothingwherebeautyisWithhimandthuggishpride.MaynoonedoingthesethingsBebythehearthwithmeNormycompanioninthinking.ButitstandsbeforemenowlikeGod’stemptationThatIseeherandyetshallsayThisisnotthechildAntigone.OunhappygirloftheunhappyFatherOedipuswhatisbearingoveryouandtowhereSeizingholdofyouIndisobediencetotheKing’slawsAndinunreason?

FIRSTSCENE

MESSENGER.CHORUS.CREON.ANTIGONE.

MESSENGER.Shedidit.Shedid.WeseizedherMakingthegrave.ButwhereisCreon?

CHORUS.Hecomes,evenasyouask,backfromthehouse.

CREON.WhatthingandIoccurtogetherhere?

MESSENGER.Myking,humansshouldsweartonothing.Forwhentheyknow,itmockswhattheysupposed.IneverthoughtI’dcomebackherelightlyAfterthethreatsthatpeltedmebefore.NootherpleasureequalsanywherenearThatofajoythattakesusbysurprise.IcomeonoathalthoughIsworeIwouldnot,Bringingthegirl.ShewasdiscoveredAsshedressedupthegrave.ThennobodyThrewlots,forthefindismineandnobodyElse’s.Sotakehernow,King,herAsyouwill,anddowhat’srightandpunish.Myrightistoberidofthisillluck.

CREON.Howisityoufetchherhere?Wheredidyouseizeher?

MESSENGER.Sheburiedtheman.Nowyouknoweverything.

CREON.Doyouknowwhatyouhavesaid?Haveyousaiditright?

MESSENGER.Isawherburyingthedeadmanwhichyouhave

Forbidden.Isthatnotclearascanbe?

CREON.Howwassheseenandhowwasshefoundguilty?

MESSENGER.Theaffairwasso.WhenwehadgoneawayFromyou,fromunderyourcolossalthreatsWewipedoffallthedustthedeadmanhadOnhim,solayingbarethedampbodyAndsatupintheairhighonahillBecauseofthesmellhegaveoff,frightened.OnemanpromptedanotherandthreatenedhimIfhewouldnotpayattentiontothework.AndsoitstayedalongtimetillthesunBrokefromitsarcandstoopeddownstraightFromtheether,throbbinghot.ThensuddenlyAwarmandtwistingstormrosefromthegroundTroublingheaven,fillingthefieldsandtearingThehairoutfromthevalley’streesandallthevastEtherwasfullofit.WeshutOureyesandsufferedpainsfromGodandwhenWewerefreeofit,agoodwhileafter,ThechildwasseenandshewasweepingloudlyWithasharpvoicethewayabirdwillgrieveWheninanemptynestorphanedofyoungSheseesthesleepingplace.SoshewhensheEspiedthedeadmanbare,shehowledAndcursedwhoeverhaddoneitwithbadcursesAndinbothhandsbroughtdust,quickly,AndfromthejugofhammeredironthreetimesWithwateringsshewreathedthedeadman.We,seeingit,wecame,seizedholdofher,Unabashed,andchargedherwiththepresentAndwiththealreadyhappened.ButsheDeniednothingandwasatonceasweetAndanunhappythinginmyview.FortoescapeyourselffromevilsisThepleasantestbutbringingfriendsintoMisfortuneisunhappy.ButstillallthatIssmallerthanthegainofmyownsafety.

CREON.Youwithyourheaddown,bowingtotheearth,Doyousayordenyitthatyoudidit?

ANTIGONE.IsayIdiditanddonotdenyit.

CREON.Gowhereyoulike,you,goaway,Setfreeofheavyguilt.Butyou,tellme,Notlengthilybutbriefly,didyouknowHowitwasgivenoutnottodothat?

ANTIGONE.Iknew.Howshouldn’tI?Wasitnotclear?

CREON.Whydidyoudaretobreakalawlikethat?

ANTIGONE.Because.MyZeusdidnotdictatethatlawNordidthejusticeofthegodsofdeathHereinthehousewholimithumanlaws,NordidIthinkyourwordsoverymuchThathumans,whomustdie,shouldbreakforitTheunwrittenfixeddecreesinheaven.Notonlytodayandyesterday,theyliveforeverAndnobodycantellwheretheyhavecomefrom.SoamongtheminheavenIdidnotwishtoriskPunishmentforfearofwhatamanthought.IknewhoweverIshouldhavetodie.Whynot?Ishouldevenhadyounotsaidso.ButifIdiebeforemytimeIsayThatisagain.WholiveslikemewithmanyillsSurelyreceivessomesmalladvantage,dying.SomeetingsuchafateisnotformeAsadness.IfIhadleftMymother’sdeadsonwhenhediedwithoutagraveThatwouldhavesaddenedme.ButtheotherSaddensmenotatall.Butiftoyou,Havingdonethat,IcomeandseemafoolPerhapsIowedthefoolsomefoolishness.

CHORUS.YouseethewildspawnofthewildfatherinThechild.Shecannotpassanevilby.

CREON.SurelyyouknowthatthosetoopureinspeechFalleasiest.Andeventhestrongestiron,Cookedinthefurnace,stillitsobstinacyWillbreakandfail.Youseethiseveryday.Andhorses,fearfullyfar-stretched,Nosoonerbridledtheyarestayedandstalled.HehasnobusinessthinkingbigwhoisTheservantofthosesurroundinghim.ButshediscoversadelightinmuddyingThelawsprescribed.Andhavingdoneit

HersecondimpudenceistoboastandlaughThatshedidit.NowIamnotamanButsheisamanifpowerofthatkindComestoherunpunished.WhatifsheisStuffofmysisterandmyclosestkinAndofthewholegodofmyhearthNomatterallofthat,she’llnotevadeAbaddeath.Norwillhersister.JustasdearIchargethatoneasIchargethisonehereThatsheprovidedfortheearthingover.Callherout.IsawherinthereragingNotmasteringhersenses.ItisneverlongBeforeasecretmindisapprehendedWhensomethingwronghasbeendoneinthedark.SurelyIhateitwhenapersoncaughtinthewrongMakesoutthethingissomethingbeautiful.

ANTIGONE.Whatmored’youwant,nowthatyouhaveme,thantokillme?

CREON.Nothing.IfIhavethisIhaveitall.

ANTIGONE.Wellthen.NotoneofallyourwordsIspleasanttomeandneverwillbepleasant.Minethereforelikewiseareunpleasanttoyou.ButwhereshouldIgetsweetersoundingfameThanifIlaymybrotherinhisgrave.AndthatitpleasessweetlyallthesehereThetongue,iffeardidn’tstopit,wouldadmit.ThecunningkingdomthoughiseverywhereAnddoesandsayswhateverthingsitlikes.

CREON.AreyoutheonlyCadmianwhoseesthis?

ANTIGONE.Theseseeittoo,butkeeptheirmouthsshutforyou.

CREON.Aren’tyouashamedtointerpretthemunasked?

ANTIGONE.Surelywehonourhumansofoneflesh?

CREON.He’salsoofonebloodwhodiedfortheland.

ANTIGONE.Oneblood.Childoftheselfsamemanandwife.

CREON.Butyoubringthank-you’stothegodlessone?

ANTIGONE.Thatsleepersurelywouldnotcounthimselfthat.

CREON.Notifyoucountallonegodlessandgodly.

ANTIGONE.Itwasnotserf-work,heisstillmybrother.

CREON.Oneruinedtheland,theotherstoodforit.

ANTIGONE.Evenso,theworldofthedeadlovessuchalaw.

CREON.Butthebadarenottobetakenlikethegood.

ANTIGONE.Whoknows?Perhapsdowntherethecustom’sdifferent.

CREON.Theenemy,evendead,isneverafriend.

ANTIGONE.Onethingissure:Iamforlovenothatred.

CREON.GodownbelowthenifyouwanttoloveAndlovedownthere.Inlifenowomanwillruleme.

SECONDSCENE

CHORUS.CREON.ANTIGONE.ISMENE.

CHORUS.IsmeneiscomingfromindoorsThepeaceablegirl,weepingforhersister.OverhereyebrowsaghostlinessCoversherbloodshotsightAndcheeksandtemplesstreaming.

CREON.Yesyou,squattinginthereathomelikesnakesSafelyandsuckingmeout,haveInothadWarningoftwoconceitsagainstmeAndenemiesofthethrone?Say,didyoushareThedeedatthegraveorareyouthickwithinnocence?

ISMENE.IdidtheworkifsheagreesIdid,Andtakemypart.Itaketheblameonme.

ANTIGONE.Justicehoweverwillnotletthathappen.Youwouldnotdoit,Ididnottakeyouwithme.

ISMENE.I’mnotashamedofbeinginyourtrouble,Andmakemyselfyourfellow-travellerinit.

ANTIGONE.BythosewhohavegonethroughwithitAndtalkwithoneanotherdownbelowIdon’tlikeanyonewholoveswithwords.

ISMENE.Sister,don’tbringmesointosuspicion,asthoughIcouldnotdiewithyouandmakethegraveamends.

ANTIGONE.Don’tdieincommon.What’snoconcernofyoursDon’tmakeityours.Mydeathwillbeenough.

ISMENE.HaveI,whenyouaregone,aloveleftinmylife?

ANTIGONE.Creon,lovehim.Haven’tyoushownhimtheway?

ISMENE.Whyareyougrievingme?Whatdoesithelp?

ANTIGONE.Weareatodds.Ilaughyououtofcourt.

ISMENE.WhathelpcanIbetoyouevennow?

ANTIGONE.Sometoyourself.Leavemeandgoodriddance.

ISMENE.Alasforme.Youdie,amItoblame?

ANTIGONE.Youknowyourpartislifeandmineisdeath.

ISMENE.ButwhatIsaidtoyouisalsopart.

ANTIGONE.Andthatwasgood.ButIwantedmyownmind.

ISMENE.Equallybothofushavefailed.

ANTIGONE.Youarealive,becheerful,butmysoulLongsinceisdeadandsoIservethedead.

CREON.Thesewomen,Isay,onehasbecomewitlessJustnow,intheotheritalwayshoused.

ISMENE.Noteventhehomelyheartstaysquiet,King,Whereitfeelsill,butgetsbesideitself.

CREON.Yourshas,bydoingwrongwithwrongdoers.

ISMENE.Nothinglives,Iamalone,unlessshedoes.

CREON.Thetalkisnotofhernow.Sheisdonewith.

ISMENE.Thegirlyou’rekillingisyourson’sbride-to-be.

CREON.Othersthanherwillpleasehimamongwomen.

ISMENE.Butnonebelongedlikehimandhertogether.

CREON.Iwarnmysons:bewareofevilwomen.

ANTIGONE.OhdearestHaemon,howhedishonoursyou!

CREON.Andhowyouburdenme,youandyourbed.

ISMENE.Youtakeherfromhimwhoispartofyou.

CREON.SuchgrowingtogetherHellwillputasunder.

ISMENE.Itseemsdecidedthatsheistodie.

CREON.Foryouandme!Andnomoredallying.Maids,Takethemindoors.TheneedfromnowonIsnottoletthesewomenloose.ForflightIssomethingeventhestrongwilltrywhentheySeetherealmofHellopenontherimoflife.

(ANTIGONEandISMENEareledaway.)

THIRDACT

CHORUS.Luckywholiveinatimenottastingevil,forShouldgodseverbestirringinahouseItwillnotbeshortofmadnessinwhatfollowswhenIthasincrease.LikethatdownthereThenightunderthesaltWhentheThracianwindsBlowevillyontheseaBefallsalittledwellingAndturnsthedarksandinsideoutandupsidedownDishevellingitAndallthethrashedcoastgroans.

AgeinginthehousesofLabdacusOnthefounderedhouseIseemoreruinfallOnruin,nordoesonegenerationHandontothenextbutagodStrikesitdown.Andneverhasrelease.FornowuponthelastRootleftthelightistrainedInOedipus’housesAndthekillingdust,thedustOfthegodsofdeath,iseatingthemandtheirUnbridledspeechandtheragingoftheirsenses.

FatheroftheEarth,yourpowerWhoamongmencanreachitbyover-reaching?Sleep,towhomeverythingsinks,cannotremoveitnorCanthemonthsandstormymoonsoftheSpiritsButinanagelesstime,inriches,youRetainthemarbleShineofOlympusAndnowandthefutureAndpastyouoversee.ButmadnessalsosamplesAsmortalslivetheirlivesThefixityofyourthinking.

Hopelives,errantandrestless,HelpsmanymenAndfoolsthelightmindsofmany

AndamanwhoisthinkingofnothingHopestayswithhimtillfireisburninghissoles.Fromoneman’swisdomOnefamouswordhascome:BadthingsoftenseemnobleSosoonasagodHasdriventhemindtodelusion.ButrarelydoeshebringitHomewithoutmadness.NowHaemoniscoming,YourlastbornsonTroubledtheyoungAntigoneshouldperishTheweddingwomanSickthattheirbedwillevadehim.

FIRSTSCENE

CREON.HAEMON.CHORUS.

CREON.Soon,morethanseers,myson,we’llhave,itseems,Decisionatlast.DoyoucloseyourearstomeforloveOfher,theyoungwoman,andcomefurioustomeOrareyouwithmestillinallmyactions?Speak.

HAEMON.Father,I’myours.Thewayyouthinkismild,Yourulemeright.Ifollowwillingly.ForsomuchworthIlayonnoweddingthatIWouldholditdearerthanyourhappinessinruling.

CREON.Indeed,myson.IntheheartitmustbesoThatallelsefallsinwiththefather’sthinking.ForwhichreasonamanwantsfirstandforemostPiousoffspring,toaccustomthemathomeToholdanenemyoffanddamagehim,Honourafriendhoweverlikethefather.Butwhenamangetsfit-for-nothingchildrenWhatcanyousayabouthimexceptthis:ThatallhegetsistroubleforhimselfAndmuchderisionamonghisenemies.Don’tthereforenow,myson,forthewoman’ssakeForlustthrowawayyoursense,butthinkThatitbecomesachillembracehavingAsdweller-withabadwomaninthehouse.

OnearthwhatistherethatdealsuglierbruisesThanbadfriends?Butyou,esteemherasYoudothegodless,lethergoandcourtAboyinHell,foropenlyIfoundherOfallthecitybeingheraloneDisloyalandcannotnowasaliarStandbeforethecity,andmustkillher.Singthataway,ifshelikes,whereherbrotheris.IffamilygoesbadIsuccourstrangers.Amanwho’sgoodinwhatbelongstohimAppearsajustmaninthecitytoo.ButanyoneoversteppinganddoingharmTothelawsormasteringarulerPraisecannotverylikelycomehiswayfromme.Butwhomsoeverthecityappoints,whathesays,Righttalkorsmallornonsense,mustbelistenedto.Andsuchaman,soIbelieve,hewillRulewellandalsowantgoodrulingAndwhenhe’ssetupinthestormofspearsHe’llbeaproperhelperandstaybrave.There’snoworseevilthanunruliness:Itspoilscities,itenragesThehouses,ittearsholesinspear-fighting.ThosewhoareruledarighthoweverTheoverlordpreservestheirmanybodies.ThereforesecuretheoneswhobuildyourworldAndneverinanythinggivewaytowomen.Better,ifithastobe,fallwithamanSoweshallneverbenamedbehindthewomen.

CHORUS.Tous,unlessthetimesholdusindarkness,Whatyouhavespokenofseemssaidwithsense.

HAEMON.Father,asthoughfromGodthecomingofsenseIsheavenlyandisofallgoodbest.MyownlifecannotsayhoweverAnddoesnotknowifwhatyou’vesaidisright.Letbeautymovetoothersfromnowon.Ihadmylifeforyou,tobethewatcherOfallthatpeoplesayanddoandcensure.ArenotyoureyestooterribleforthemToletyouhearwhatyoudon’twishtohear?ButIamgiventohearthingsonthequietAndknowthetownisfullofsadnessforthegirl.

‘ShallshemoreinnocentthananywomanEndbadlyforathingdonefamously?Whodidnotwantherbrother,fallenkilling,WithoutagravelefttobeeatenbyMercilessdogsorabirdamongthebirds.Shouldn’tsuchaonebeworthyofgoldenfame?’Darklyandsecretlythesemurmurscometous.Butifwhatyouaredoinggoeswell,thanthat,Father,formethereisnogreatergood.ForifthefatherflourisheswhatthingbetterBehoveschildrenandwhatfameistheregodlierThanpietyinconductwiththefather?Butdon’tnowhoardinyouyourowncustomAnddon’tsayyouarerightandnooneelse.ForanyonewhothinksalonehehasNothoughtsandspeechandsoullikeanyotherIfsuchamanwereeveropenedupHewouldappearempty.Itisnoshame,Ifsomewherethereissomeonewise,tolearnAlotandnotpushanythingtoofar.Seebythestreaminspatethat’shurtlingpastThetreesgiveway,andallofthoseLeafupwarmlybutthestrugglersagainstAregoneatonce.LikewiseaprosperingshipThatthrowsitsweightaroundandwillgivewaytonothingAllfallingbackwardsfromthebanksofrowersItscertaincourseiswreck.GivewayWhereyourmindis,allowuschange.Theremaybeinthisspeechsomethingofmine,Theopinionofyouth,whereasthegrownman’smindIsoldandfullyfilledwithknowledge:Butifnotquitesofilled,andrarelywillitbe,Wordsthataregoodmaystillbegoodteachers.

CHORUS.King,itisrightifwhathespeaksistimelyTolearnfromityourselfevenfromhim.Forrightwasspokenherewithtwovoices.

CREON.SinceI’msooldIwillformypartthenLearnhowtothinkinthemannerhedoeshere.

HAEMON.Withoutoffence.ImaybeyoungbutmoreThanlookingattheyearslookatthedeed.

CREON.Dohomagetowhataffrontstheworld,isthatyourdeed?

HAEMON.Idon’tsayweshowpietytothewicked.

CREON.Wasshenotcaughtinsicknessofthatsort?

HAEMON.InThebesneighbourtoneighbourdoesnotsayso.

CREON.Theplacetellsmethenwhattodoandnotdo?

HAEMON.Listentothat!Howover-boldlyyoungitsounds.

CREON.Andsomeoneelsebemasterintheland?

HAEMON.Noplaceisrightandproperthat’sonlyoneman’s.

CREON.Isitnotsaidacityisitsruler’s?

HAEMON.You’drulethetruestinthedesertallalone.

CREON.Heseemstobethewoman’sfellow-fighter.

HAEMON.Ifyouarethewoman.Myconcernisyou.

CREON.Ohbad,bad!Incourtagainstthefather.

HAEMON.BecauseIwillnotseeyoulyingatjustice.

CREON.IfIstandbymyfirstbeginningamIlying?

HAEMON.YouarenotdoingthatnotholdingGod’snameholy.

CREON.Ohshamelessthing,worseeventhanthewoman!

HAEMON.Idoubtyou’llfindmegoingafterevil.

CREON.Youlayyourselfthisfaropenforhersake?

HAEMON.Forhersandyoursandmineandforthedeathgods’.

CREON.Thetime’salreadygonethatyoucouldhaveherliving.

HAEMON.Soshewilldieanddyingkillsomeoneelse.

CREON.Nowitisout:rageandthenimpudence.

HAEMON.Toanemptyminditmightseemso,Igrantyou.

CREON.Weepandmindout.Yourownmindmightbeempty.

HAEMON.IfyouweresomeoneelseI’dsayyou’dstrayed.

CREON.Youcomeforfavourslikeawinsomewoman,invain.

HAEMON.Youwanttosaythings,neverwanttohearthings.

CREON.Justso.ButbytheheavenofmyfathersYoushan’tpeevemewithcensureasyoulike.

Fetchoutthecreature,now,beforehiseyesLetherdiehardagainstherbridegroomhere.

HAEMON.Notme.Truly,don’tletyourselfthinkthat.Itwillnotbenearmesheperishes.AndneverwillyouhavemyheadbeforeyoureyesSoyoucanstayuntroubledamongyourown.

(ExitHAEMON.)

CHORUS.Hewentawayinangerquickly,King,Butsuchasoulisheavywhenitsuffers.

CREON.Lethimdoit.Lethimthinkbiggerthanaman,He’llnonethelessnotsavethegirlsfromdeath.

CHORUS.Doyouhaveamindeventokillthemboth?

CREON.Notherwhodidn’ttouchit.Thereyouareright.

CHORUS.Theotherthen:howwillyoudothekilling?

CREON.I’llleadherwherethetracksofmenarelonelyAndkeepherlivinginthepitofrock,ReachinsuchnourishmenttoherasisfitSothatthecitywillnotwhollybedisgraced.Therenodoubtshewillpraytothegodofdeath,Theonlyoneshehonoursofallthegods,Anditmaybethatshewillneverdie.Soshewillunderstand,butastheghostsdo,Honouringdeadthingsisamereexcess.

(CREONgoesin.)

SECONDSCENE

CHORUS.LaterANTIGONE.

CHORUS.OLove,nobodybestsyouInaquarrel,youbowthetradesUnderyourpeace,youovernightOnthegirl’ssoftcheeks,youMoveonthewatersAndoverhousesintheopenspaces.

EventheheartsoftheimmortalsalmostBreakforyouandtheheartsOfhumansdowhowillgotosleepandwhoeverHasyouinhimisnothimself.ForEvenofthejustyoucausethelessjustsensesToshyandboltawayIntodisgrace,evenhere,inthisquarrelofmen,Blood-related,youlingerandflingittoandfro.AndthepowerfulpleaInthelidsofabridalgirlWillnotbedefeated,itjoinsForemostinthemakingofgreatEnds.ForinthemunwarlikeHeavenlybeautyplaysherpart.ButnowIcome,myself,bylaw,TowitnessthisandcannolongerContainthespringoftearsSeeingAntigonewalkherwayToabedwhereallishushed.

ANTIGONE.See,citizensofmymothercountry,MegoingthefinalwayAndseeingthesun’sLastlight.Thatneveragain?ThegodOfdeathwhohusheseverythingIsleadingmelivingTothebanksofAcheron,IamnotcalledToHymen,noweddingsong,NosongofpraisesingsmebutIAmmarriedtoAcheron.

CHORUS.ButyougofamousandaccompaniedbypraiseOfftothischamberofthedead.NosicknessstrikesyouandspoilsyouNoswordputspaidtoyouButlivingthelifeofyourownamongMortalsuniqueYougodownintotheworldofthedead.

ANTIGONE.IhaveheardsheturnedtoawastelandThatPhrygiansofulloflifeWhomTantalusdangled,onSipylus’peaksSheiscrouchedandshrunk

Toaslowstone,theyputherinchainsOfivyandwinteriswithherAlwayspeoplesay,andwashesherthroatWithsnow-brighttearsFromunderherlids.LikeherexactlyAghostbringsmetobed.

CHORUS.ButshewasnamedsacredandsheWasengenderedsacredbutweAreearthandengenderedearthly.Thoughyouperishnowstillsomethinggreatwillbeheard:Thatyouhave,likethoselikeGod,receivedyourlotLivingandthenyoudied.

ANTIGONE.Oh,Iamtheirfool!OhwhydoyouByallthespiritsthatprotectourlandRaiseyourselfabovemewhohavenotyetgonebelowButaminthedaylightstill?Ohcity,andfromthecityYoumenofplentyAndohyouspringsofDirceAndringingThebes,wherethechariotsRiseup,youwoodsYoumustbemywitnessesonedayHowIunweptbylovedonesandinaccordancewithWhatsortoflawsMustentertheopeningdugformeTheunheardofgravePoorwomanthatIamalasNotamongmortals,notamongthedead.

CHORUS.AdwellerneitherwithThelivingnorthehavingdied.PushingboldnesstothepartingplaceOntotheheightsofjusticeSodeepyouhavefallen,childLikefather,likedaughter,inthefightwithdeath.

ANTIGONE.YouhavequickenedtheangriestOfmybelovedgriefsThemanifoldlamentingofthefatherAndofallOurfatebesidesUsfamousLabdacids.Ohinthebeds

TheunluckymotherindelusionwithherarmsaroundMyfather,herOwnbirth,AndfromthemwithadarkenedmindIcameAndtothemIamcomingcursedTolivewiththemwithoutaman.Alas,alas,mybrotherFalleninadangerousweddingMetoowhowasstillhereYoudragdownwithyoudying.

CHORUS.PietyisgoodSomewhat.ButpowerWhenpoweristheissueNevergives.IntheangryKnowingyourselfYouhavedestroyedyourself.

ANTIGONE.Unwept,withoutafriend,unwedDarkinthemindIamconductedThisreadiedway.ItnolongerisMyusagetoseetheholyeyesOfthislight,poorgirl,andforthisMyfatetherearenotearsandnooneLovesitorlamentsit.

THIRDSCENE

CREON.ANTIGONE.CHORUS.

CREON.SingingandhowlingatthepointofdeathWillneverstopifyoutalktoandfro.Leadherawayatonceandwiththecrypt,withdarknessOvershadowher,assaid.LetherrestthereLonelyaloneanddieifshemustdieOrwitherlivingundersucharoof.ForwearepureinwhatconcernsthisgirlButhereaboveshehasnodomicile.

ANTIGONE.Ograve,ObridalbedandhousingUnderground,alwaysawake.ThereIwilljourneyTokithandkinofwhomthemostwhentheyHadgoneaheadalighthaswelcomedinAmongthedead,angrily,pityingly.

OfthemthelastandintheworstwayIMustperishinthewideworldnowbeforeTheedgeofmylifearrives.ButwhenIcome,Inourishthiswithhopesexceedingly,MycomingwillbewelcometothefatherAndwelcometoyou,mother,welcomealso,Brotherlyhead,toyou.ForwhenyoudiedItookyouallofyouwithmyownhandAnddeckedyououtandbroughtoveryourgraveThesacrificialpotions.PolynicesCoveringyourcorpsenowIhavecometothisThoughinwell-mindedeyesIhonouredyou.ForneverhadIeitherbeenamotherOfchildrenorifindeathahusbandHadlainrottingwouldIwithforce,Asthoughwantingrevolt,havebroughtthisoff.AndwhatlawdoIsaythankstoforthis?AhusbanddyingtherewouldbeotherhusbandsAndevenchildrenbyanothermanIfIembracedthatman.ButwhenthemotherAndfathersleepbothintheplaceofdeathItcannotbeanotherbrotherwillgrow.AccordingtothatlawIhonouredyou.ToCreonhoweveritseemedasinAndgreattemerity,Omybrother’shead.Andnowheleadsme,handlingme,away,Mewithoutbedandwedding,notthemarriagepartHaveIreceivednornourishingachildButlonelysofromlovedonessadinsoulLivingintothedesertofthedeadIamdescending,oversteppingwhatLawoftheSpirits?Poorgirl,whylookhenceforthToheavenlypowers?Whatcomradesingforhelp?SinceIfrompietygotgodlessness.ButifthisthingislovelytothegodsWesufferitandbegforgivenessforHowwehavesinned.ButifthefaultistheirsMaytheynotsuffergreatermiseryThenwhattheyevidentlyhavedonetome.

CHORUS.StillfromthesametempestsshehasThesameassaultsinhersoul.

CREON.Thereforetothosewhoareconductingher

Tearswillcomebecauseofthedelay.

ANTIGONE.Ohme,straightbeforedeathThisistheword.

CREON.Iwarnyou,venturenothingAndspeakhernothingforhercomfortofthatkind.

(ExitCREON.)

FOURTHACT

FIRSTSCENE

ANTIGONE.CHORUS.

ANTIGONE.OfatherlycityofthelandofThebes,AllyougoodSpiritswhoarewiththefathersAmItobeledthusandstaynolonger?OlordsofThebes,lookwhatduesArelaidonme,Theonlyqueenlyoneremaining,bythesedutifulmenBecausetheycaughtmeinanactofpiety.

CHORUS.DanaëtooshehadtohaveOnherbodyinsteadofthelightoftheskyAnirongrid,andbearit.ShelayinthedarkinaroomWithDeath,inchains.Ohchild,thoughherbirthwashighShecountedthestrokesofthehours,Thegoldenstrokes,fortheFatherofTime.

ButFateisterrible,itfallsLikerainonthefightingmenandonThetowerandcatchesEventheblackandocean-splittingshipsAndDryas’son,theEdonianking,Whosemouthranoverwithinsults,himThefuriousrapidDionysusapprehendedAndburiedundermoundsofstones.

HeweptoutalmostallhismadnesssoAndhisluxuriantrageandgropinginmadnessWithinsultsonhistongueHegottoknowthegodForhevexedthewomenfullofthegodAndtheflute-lovingMusesAndfedtheexultantfires.

ByskybluerocksWhereatbothendsseaisTherearetheBosporusshores

AndthelapofSalmydessusBelongingtoThracians;andthereClosetothecitythebutchergodSpectatedwhilstthewildwifeStruckthetwosonsofPhineusablindingwoundAnditgrewdarkintheboldorbsoftheireyes

Withspearpricks,underbloodyhandsAndneedlepointsAndthinningtonothing,poorthings,theyweptTheirpoorpaintotheirmother;theyhadAnunmarriedbeginning,buthersWastheseedofErechtheusBegunlongago.InwanderingcavesShewasreared,inherfather’sstorms,agirlOftheNorthWind,thesheerhillsRunningwithhorses,ButonhertooAdaughterofthegodsAmassivefaterested,child.

(ANTIGONEisledaway.)

SECONDSCENE

TIRESIAS.CREON.

TIRESIAS(ledbyaboy).PrincesofThebes,wecomeourwaytogetherBothseeingbyone.Sowe,theblind,Fareonourwaywithpathfinders.

CREON.Whatistherenew,oldmanTiresias?

TIRESIAS.Iwillsayit.You,listentotheseer.

CREON.InpasttimestooIwasnotfarfromyoursense.

TIRESIAS.Andsteerstraightwiththecitybecauseofthat.

CREON.IamtheproofIhavelearnedusefulthings.

TIRESIAS.Nowonthedelicatemomentlikewise:think.

CREON.Whatisitthen?Horrorsareonyourtongue.

TIRESIAS.Youknowit,youhearthesigningsofmyart.Isatintheancientchair,scryingthebirdsAndhadbeforemeahavenofallthebirdsAndheardanunknownscreamingoutofthem,WildlyinanevilragingtheywerescreamingAndtearingatoneanotherwiththeirclawsInmurder,Imarkedthat,therushofthewingsBeingintelligible.AtonceafraidImadeatestofalltheflamesonallThelitaltarsbutfromthesacrificesHephaestusdidnotshinebutfromtheashTheclammysmelldevouredthethighsAndsmokedandwrithedandahighangerWassownaroundandthesprinkledthighsLookedopenfromthefatthatcoveredthem.Ilearneditfromthisboy,thesesignlessorgies’Deadlyinterpretation,forheisTheguidetomeandIamguidetoothers.Andthis.ThecitysickensfromyourmindBecausethealtarsareandfireplacesFulloftheeatsofbirdsanddogs,fullofTheunseemlyfallensonofOedipus.AndnowthegodswillnottakeupfromusPrayersatsacrificesnortheflamesofthighsNorwillthebirds’well-meaningcryingComerushinghereforithaseatenThefatofdeadhumanblood.Consider,childErringiscommontoallhumankindButwhenoneerrsthatmanpreciselyIsnotafoolnoranunfortunateIfhe,fallenintoevil,letshimselfBehealedanddoesnotstayimmovable.Forself-conceitisastupidity.Yieldtothedeadman,donotpersecuteOnewhohasgone.WhatsortofstrengthisthatTokillthekilled?MeaningyouwellIsayitwell.ItisajoytolearnIfonespeakswellandusefulwhathesays.

CREON.Oldman,asthoughwewereanarcher’stargetYouaimallthisatus.IamnotunschooledIntheartsofprophecythewayyoudoit.SoldandbetrayedIwasalongtimesince.

Makemoney.Buyelectrum,ifyoulike,FromSardesandbuygoldfromIndiaButinthegraveyouwon’tstowthatmanthereNotevenifthebirdofthundertuggedathimTocarryhimtothethroneofGodforfood.Thatdisregarding,IwhoamnotafraidOfsicknessesofheavenwon’tletthemanagrave.NohumantouchesGod,Iknowthatmuch.Butamongmortalmen,oldmanTiresias,EvensomeverymightyfallAverygrievousfalliftheyspeaksweetlyWordsthatdesolate,fortheirownprofit.

TIRESIAS.Alas,doesnooneknowandnowheresayit?

CREON.Knowwhat?Saywhat?Youtalktoofarandwide.

TIRESIAS.Sweettemperisneedednowmuchmorethanwealth.

CREON.Butneededleast,Ithink,isthoughtlessness.

TIRESIAS.Ofthatparticularsicknessyouarefull.

CREON.Itisnotmywishtoanswertheseerback.

TIRESIAS.Butdidso,callingmeafalseprophet.

CREON.Becausethebreedofseersalllovesilver.

TIRESIAS.Thebreedoftyrantslovesdisgracefulgain.

CREON.Youknowyouareaddressingacommander?

TIRESIAS.Ido.Itwasthroughmeyougotthecity.

CREON.Youareawiseseerbutyouloveinjustice.

TIRESIAS.YouworkmeuptosayoutloudsomethingsMythoughtshavenotdisturbedyet.

CREON.Disturbthem!Onlydonotspeakforprofit.

TIRESIAS.DoInotseemallottedtoyoustill?

CREON.Youwillnotfoolmymind.Beawareofthat.

TIRESIAS.Beawareyourself,youwillnotbroodmuchlongerInthejealoussunfromnowon.SoonOutofyourownbowelsitwillcostyouAdeadmanforthedead,forherWhomfromaboveyouhaveflungdown

AndscandalouslysenthersoultodwellInthetomb.AndfromdownthereyoustillhaveoneUphere,withoutafate,thedeadmanUnburied,unholy,theGodofDeath’sAndnobusinessofyoursnorofthegodsAbove.ButthusyouuseyourpowerandsoInthebeyondarelyinginwaitforyouAndwonderfullyharmfulGod’sOwncrones,tosentenceyouandlaughThatyouarestrickeninthesameIllsyourself.ThinkthenwhetherIsaythesethingsforstupidsilver.Thereiscoming,Innotmuchmoretimenow,ofmenandwomenAlamentationinyourhouses.ForeverycitywillgodowninerrorWhosecorpsesdogsandwildanimalsBringtorestandwhenonwingsAbirdcomestothecity’ssettledhearthWithadefilingstench.Thatisyourstate:Indudgeoncertainly.AndlikeanarcherMytemperhassentforththeheart’sarrowsSteadilyandyouwillnotevadeTheirwarmth.Ohchild!AndnowleadmeAwayintomyhousesothismanherecanventHistemperonyoungermen.AndlethimlearnTomakehistonguemoreusedtobeingquieterAndbetterdisposedhismindthanitisnow.

(ExitTIRESIAS.)

THIRDSCENE

CHORUS.CREON.

CHORUS.Myking,themanleftprophesyingManythings,butweknowsinceweswappedBlackhairforwhite,asyoucansee,Thatinthecityheneverhasusedlies.

CREON.Iknowittoo.Mymindisinconfusion.Itisabigthingtogiveway.ButwhensomeoneTreadsonmyspiritwithmadness,thatishard.

CHORUS.Creon,Menoeceus’son,itneedsgoodcounsel.

CREON.Whatshallwedo?Sayit.I’llfollowyou.

CHORUS.Come,letthegirlfreefromthehouseofstoneAndmakeagraveforhimlyingoutthere.

CREON.Youspeakforthisandseemtothinkitright.

CHORUS.Asfast,myking,asitispossible.God’sretributionrunsonspeedyfeetToabbreviatethemanwhosemindiswrong.

CREON.Alas,Ihardlywill,Ilacktheheartforit,Butthere’snoarguingwithnecessity.

CHORUS.Dothisnow.Come.Donothingelsebutthis.

CREON.SoIwillgo,justasIam.Servants,Absentandpresenthere,takeaxesinyourhandsAndhurrytotheplacethatyouwillsee.ButI,sincenowopinionturnsforher,AndsinceIfastenedhermyself,Iwillreleaseher.IfearthebestistoupholdThelawthatis,andinthatfashionend.

FIFTHACT

CHORUS.Creatorofnames,prideofthewatersThatCadmusloved,andapartofhimWhoechoesinthethunderEarth’sFatherAndoverfamousItalyYourovefarandwideIngrowth.ButcommontoallIssomethingimpenetrable.ForyouGovernalsoatEleusis,inthewomb.Buthere,OGodofJoy,Inthemothercity,inbacchanticThebesyouareathome,atthecoldbeckofIsmenusAtthehedgeswherethemouthOfthedragonsnapsitsbreath.

BythesmokeofsacrificessweetlyshapedOvertheshouldersoftherocksyouhavebeenseenonCocytuswherethewatersTumbledrunkenlyandbyCastalia’sforestalso.AndunderthehillsofNysaListeningfromfarawayThewellspringsAndthegreenbankshungwithgrapesExciteyoutocometoThebesToherundyingwordsIntothestreetswheretheywererejoicing.ForaboveallothersyouhonourherAshighestofthetownsWiththemotherthelightningstruck.

Butnow,thetownAllcaughtinaviolentsickness,WemustwalkthestepsofpenanceoverParnassushillorthroughThesighingford.OyouwalkerinfireLeaderofthedanceofthestarsandkeeperOfsecretspeechSonbornofZeus

BemanifestwiththewakefulmaddedNaxianThyadesWhosingyouchorusesTheirrevellinglord.

FIRSTSCENE

MESSENGER.CHORUS.LaterEURYDICE.

MESSENGER.OyouneighboursofCadmusandAmphionItisnotthatIwishtopraiseorblameThelifeofmanwhatevershapeithas.Theunthinkablelifts,theunthinkableflingsdownAgainandagainthehappyandtheunhappy.Noseer’smindcanreachwhat’sthere.SoCreonalwaysIthoughtenviableSincehefromenemiessavedthelandOfCadmusandwonsolelordshipHereaboutsandrulesandflourishesAmidawellbornseedofchildren.NowAllthatvanishes.IholdgoodthingsUnworthyofthemanwhentheyturnfaithless.Rich,ifyouwill,heisathome,very:Theshapehelivesinisaking’s;ButwhenthejoygoesawayfromhimnotevenForsmoke,fortheshadowofsmoke,Couldyousellalltherestaspleasantforaman.

CHORUS.WhyisityoubewailthePrincelikethis?

MESSENGER.Theyhavedied.Theoneswholiveareguilty.

CHORUS.Andwhohaskilled?Whoislaidout?Sayit.

MESSENGER.Haemonhasgone,byhandsofhisownblood.

CHORUS.What?Byhisfather’shandorbyhisown?

MESSENGER.Himself.Inangeratthefatherinhismurder.

CHORUS.Ohseer!Howrightthewordsyoubroughtuswere!

MESSENGER.Sothingsstandnow.Otherswantthinkingon.

CHORUS.IseeEurydice,theunhappywifeOfCreoncoming.Whetherinthehouseshehas

Hearditorsheisherebychance.

EURYDICE.OhcitizensIheardsomethingbeingsaidWhenIwasgoingtothegateofPallasTocomeandspeaktoherwithprayers,thegoddess.NosoonerhadIslidtheboltsofthedoorAndithadopenedthanavoicetellingOfbadmisfortuneinthehousehitthroughmyears.IndreadIfellbackonmymaidsSenseless.ButwhatrumourthiswasTellitmeagain.IwillhearitAsonenotinexperiencedinills.

MESSENGER.Dearlady,Iwillsayitastheeyewitness,IwillnotleaveawordofthetruthunsaidBecausewhatreasonwouldIhavetosootheyouAndafterwardsappearaliartoyou?Thetruthisalwaysupright.IfollowedYourlordashiscompaniontoThehighfieldwhere,itsfleshbeingtornbydogs,ThepoordeadbodyofPolyniceslay.WebeggedEnodia,thegoddess,herAndPluto,theywouldholdtheirwellmeantrage,Preparedasacramentalbathandlaidhim,Whatwasleft,amongfreshbranchesAndraisedamounduplikealiftedheadOfthehomeland’searthandwentthentoThestoneandhollowbedofthevirgingirlWhereshehadmarriedinthemannerofthedead.ButoneamongusheardavoiceandloudLamentandcryinginthechamberAndhewentnearandhearkenedCreontoit,Themaster,andthatdarkandtroubledvoiceThenearerhecamethemorehefeltitinAndallaroundhimtill,upclose,hescreamedAndinaterriblelamentationsaidthesewords,Thesepoorlamentingwords,‘AmISoothsayertomyself?AmItreadingTherealunhappiestroadofalltheroadsthereare?Mychild’svoicetouchesme.Servants,youGointothegravenowquickly,markExactlywherethebolthasleftthewall,GointhereatthedooritselfandfindWhetherthevoiceIhearisHaemon’sor

Agodisdeceivingme.’WesearchedafterThefrightenedmaster’swords.ThereuponBackfurthestinthetombswesawhangingHer,bytheneck,bythebeltofherlinendress,Andhimentangledinher,stretchingout,andwailingOverthebridalbed,overtheabyssbelow,Hisfather’swork,theunhappysleepingplace.He,seeingthis,screamshideouslyandgoesIntohimandmoansandcries,‘OhmyPoorboywhathaveyoudone?WhathadYouinyourthoughts?Whatfateiskillingyou?Comeoutmychild,Ibegyouonmyknees.’WithbalefuleyesandsayingnothinginreturnWildlythesonstaredbackathimAnddrewhistwo-edgedswordagainsthimfirst.Butwhenthefather,frightenedintoflight,Turned,itfailed.Thensavage-mindedly,Outstretched,standingthere,theunhappymanThrustwiththepointofitfullinhisside.Beforehissenseswenthekissedthegirl’sMoistarm,onherwhitecheekhefrothedSharpbreathsofbloodydropletsout.Deathlieswithdeathnow,shylytheycametoTheirwedding’sconsummationinthehousesinTheworldofthedeadandshowhowlostforcounselHumansareandgreatestthisman’sillis.

(ExitEURYDICE.)

CHORUS.Whatdoyousaytothat?ThewomanleftWithoutsayingagoodwordorabad.

MESSENGER.Iwondertoo,butfeedmyselfwithhopeThatforherchild’sbadfateshecouldnotwailInpublicviewwithdecencyAndintheroomswithinwilltellthemaidsTocrythehouselament,forshehasnotSolosthersensethatshewouldfailinthat.

CHORUS.Idonotknow.ForalltoobigasilenceSeemsmeaningfulwhenscreamingisinvain.

MESSENGER.ThenletusseeiftherearethingshelddownInsecrethidinginherswellingheart.

Indoors!ForyouarerighttosayToobigasilencemaybemeaningful.

CHORUS.ButnowtheKingiscominghimself.Hebearsalargememorialinhishands,Ifitisrighttosaythis,notfromanother’sError,buthehaserredhimself.

SECONDSCENE

CHORUS.CREON.

CREON.Senselesssenses,ohMyhard,mydeadlyGoingswrong!OhseeKillingandkilledFriendsoftheblood!Ohme,ohmySadcounsels,ohMychild,tooearlydeadAlas,alas,alasDeadandseparatedBymynotyourfolly.

CHORUS.Ohme,whymustyoubesolatetoseewhat’sright?

CREON.Ihavelearneditinfear.ButbymyheadInthereagodHeavilyseizedholdofmeAndbeatandshookmeonthewildways.Alas,alasThetroublesofhumans,ohthetravail!

THIRDSCENE

MESSENGER.CREON.CHORUS.

MESSENGER.Ohsir,whatyouhavegotanddoyouownalready!Thatthereyoucarryinyourarms.AndthatindoorsThatmiserytooyoumustcomeinandsee.

CREON.Whatworsethingistherethanathingsobad?

MESSENGER.Theladyisdead,allmotherofthisdeadchild.

Shetwistsandturnsstillonthehurtsjustdealt.

CREON.No,ohno,ohfilthyharbouroftheunderworldWhatnow?Menow?Areyouundoingme?ReportingillsAndhithersendingmisery.Ohno,ohno,youbringinsuchascreamYouhavefounderedtheman.Whatareyousaying,child?Whatisyournews?Alas,alas,alasThatbutcheredliesForherpartinmygeneralcollapseThewomanontheground?

MESSENGER.Youcanseeit.Sheisnotinherroomstill.

CREON.Ohme,ohwretchThatmiserytoo,thesecond,shallIsee?Whatelse?Whatfateisstillinwaiting?HereIamholdinginmyarmsmychild,Ohwretch,andlookuponthedeadboyhereAnd,oh,thetroubledmother,ohmychild.

CHORUS.Somuchhadsmittenher.Thekillingallaround.

CREON.Shewidenedherdarkeyes.Whatdidsheweepfor?

MESSENGER.ThealreadydeadMegareus’famousbed.Thencriedforhimthere,lastlyraisedapaeanToyourbaddeeds,themurdererofchildren.

CREON.Aiee!Aiee!Aiee!Aiee!NowIamwingedwithfear.WhyhasNobodyraisedaswordagainstAndslaughteredme?CowardthatIam,alas,alasMixedincowardlystraits.

MESSENGER.OfoneandtheothersinceyoubeartheguiltGivetheordertooconcerningthedeadlady.

CREON.Whatwayinmurderingwasshedeliveredby?

MESSENGER.ShestabbedherliverwhentheloudlamentCametoherforthepassionofherchild.

CREON.Ohme,ohme,nootherhumandoesThisallbelongto.Mineistheguiltinthis.

Ikilledyou.Idid.Oh!YouservantsLeadmefromherefast.LeadstepbystepMewhoamnothingothernowthannoone.

CHORUS.Iftheillhassomegoodinityouwillfindit.Greatevilsatourfeetarebrief.

CREON.Ohcome,ohcomeAppear,OloveliestofallmyfatesBringingmethedayatlastThelast.Oh,come,comeThatInolongerhavetoseethedayafter.

MESSENGER.Itwill.Butwhattodointhisherenow?Ourcaremustbethethingsconcerningus.

CREON.IwishthethingIsaid,preciselythat.

MESSENGER.Youneednotwish.NobodymortalCanhavereleasefromhisdeterminedfate.

CREON.Leadmestepbystep,theunneededman.ForIWhokilledyou,child,notwantingto,andher,her,IdonotknowwhomIshouldlookatnow,Poorwretch,norwheretogo.BleakfatehasheapedHereinmyhands,hereonthisheadofmineThesumofallwrongthings.

CHORUS.Thinkingismore,muchmoreThanhappiness.ThingsofthegodsmustnotBedesecrated.FortheyrewardGreatlooksWithgreatblowsontheloftyshoulders.Inoldagetheyhavetaughtustothink.

NotestoAntigone

Therule,thecalculablelawofAntigonestandstothatofOedipusasdoes/to\,so that the balance inclines more from the beginning towards the end than from the endtowardsthebeginning.

Theruleisoneofthevarioussequencesinwhichimaginationandfeelingandreasoningdevelopaccordingtopoeticlogic.Forwhereasphilosophyonlyevertreatsoneofthesoul’scapacities, so that the presentation of this one capacity makes up a whole and the merehanging togetherof thepartsof thisonecapacity iscalled logic,poetry treats thevariouscapacitiesofthehumanbeingsothatthepresentationofthesevariouscapacitiesmakesupawhole, and the hanging together of the – more autonomous – parts of these differentcapacitiesmaybecalledtherhythm(inahighersense)orthecalculablelaw.

But if the rhythmof thescenes is such that in the rapidityof the inspiration theearlieronesaremorecarriedawayby those following, then thecaesura (A)or counter-rhythmicinterruptionmust lie towards the front so that the first half is, aswemight say, protectedagainst the second and, because the second half is originally faster and seems to weighmore,thebalance,becauseofthecounter-workingofthecaesura,mustinclinemorefromtheback(B)towardsthebeginning(C).

Thus:Butiftherhythmofthescenesissuchthatthelateronesaremoreunderpressurefrom

thoseatthebeginningthenthecaesura(A)willliemoretowardstheendbecauseitistheendingwhichmust,aswemightsay,beprotectedagainstthebeginningandthebalancewillas a consequence inclinemore towards the end (B) since the first half (c) extends itselffurtherbutthebalancecomeslater.

2Whydidyoudaretobreakalawlikethat?Because.MyZeusdidnotdictatethatlaw

Nordidthejusticeofthegodsofdeathetc

Theboldestmoment in thecourseofadayoraworkofart comeswhen the spiritof thetimesandofnature,thedivinethatisseizingholdofahumanbeing,andtheobjectinwhichheisinterestedareattheirmostwildlyopposedbecausethesensuousobjectofhisinterestonlyreacheshalfwaybut thespiritwakes to itsgreatestpowerbeyond thathalf.At thatmomentthehumanbeingmustkeepthefirmestholdonhimself,forwhichreasonhestandsmostopeninhischaracter.

Thetragicallymoderatewearinessofthetimes,whoseobjectisofnorealinteresttothe

heart,followsthepullofthespiritofthetimeswithouttheleastmoderationandthisspiritappearsthenassomethingwildandnot,likeaghostindaylight,sparingmanatall,butquitepitiless,asthespiritofthealwaysaliveunwrittenwildernessandtheworldofthedead.

CREON.Butthebadarenottobetakenlikethegood.ANTIGONE.Whoknows?Perhapsdowntherethecustom’sdifferent.

Lovable and intelligent in misfortune. Dreamily naïve. The real language of Sophocles,whereasAeschylusandEuripidesarebetterabletoobjectifysufferingandangerbutlessthemindofmangoingonitswayundertheunthinkable.

CREON.IfIstandbymyfirstbeginningamIlying?HAEMON.YouarenotdoingthatnotholdingGod’snameholy.

Insteadof:‘treadingunderfootthehonourofthegods’.Itwas,Ithink,necessarytoalterthesacredwordingherebecauseofitshighsignificance,hereatthemidpoint,initsseriousnessandasanautonomousutteranceagainstwhicheverythingelseisobjectifiedandmadeclear.

Themanner inwhich at themidpoint time turns can, I think, not be alterednorhowacharacter categorically follows the categorical times, nor how the Greek shifts to theHesperian,butthesacrednameunderwhichsupremethingsaremadepalpableoroccur,thatmaybealtered.ThespeechreferstoCreon’soath.

YouwillnotbroodmuchlongerInthejealoussunfromnowon.

Onearth,amonghumanbeings,sincethesunmaybearphysicallyuponus,inthemoralspheretooitmayactuallyhavesuchabearing.

Ihaveheardsheturnedtoawastelandetc.

PerhapsAntigone’s highest trait. Such loftymockery, in so far as holymadness is thehighest humanmanifestation and is at thismomentmore soul than speech, outdoes all herother utterances; and it is moreover necessary to speak of beauty thus in the superlativebecause thedemeanour itself restsupon,amongother things,asuperlativeofhumanspiritandheroicvirtuosity.

It is a great resource of the soul in its secret workings that in the state of highestconsciousness it evades consciousness and before being actually seized by the god therepresent itconfrontshimwithbold,oftenindeedwithblasphemouswords,andin thiswayupholdsthesacredlivingpossibilitiesofthespirit.

In thestateofhighconsciousness thesoul thenwill liken itself toobjects thathavenoconsciousnessbutwhichintheirfateshavetakenontheformsofconsciousness.Onesuchisa countryside that has become a wasteland through having in its original abundantfruitfulnesstoogreatlyincreasedtheeffectsofthesun’slight,andsobecomearid.Niobe’sfate in Phrygia; as it is everywhere the fate of innocent Nature, who, in her virtuosity,everywhererunsinpreciselythesamedegreeintotheexcessivelyorganicashumanbeings,inmoreheroiccircumstancesandemotions,do into theaorgic.AndNiobe is thusaquitepeculiarlyaptimageofearlygenius.

Shecountedthestrokesofthehours,Thegoldenstrokes,fortheFatherofTime.

Insteadof:‘managedforZeusthecomingofthestreamsofgold’.Tobringitclosertoourwayof seeing things.Tobemoredefinite,or indeed lessdefinite,weshouldhave to say‘Zeus’.But for the full seriousness: ‘FatherofTime’or ‘Fatherof theEarth’becausehischaracter,counteringaneternaltendency,hasbeentoconvertthestrivingoutofthisworldintoanotherintoastrivingoutofanotherworldintothis.Wemusteverywherepresentthemythsmoredemonstrably.‘Thecomingofthestreamsofgold’doubtlessmeanstheraysoflight,which also belong to Zeus in the sense that time, thus denoted, ismore able to bemeasuredbysuchrays.And italways iswhen time ismeasured insufferingbecause thenbody and soul follow the passageof timewith a greater empathy and so comprehend thesimplemarchofthehourswithoutthemindmakingassumptionsfromthepresentaboutthefuture.

But since this steadfast abiding in the passage of time, this heroic life of a hermit, isreally thehighestconsciousness thefollowingchorus takesonasenseofpurestgeneralityandtruestpointofviewfromwhichthewholemustbeapprehended.

For, as a counter to the excessive passion of the preceding passage, it contains in thehighest impartiality both the characteristic dispositions in which the different dramatispersonaeact.

First inwhat characterises the antitheoswhere one, afterGod’s ownmind, acts, as itseems,againstGodandrecognisesHissupremespiritthroughlawlessness.ThenthepiousfearinthefaceofFate,andwithitthehonouringofGodassomethingsetinlaw.Thisisthespiritoftheantithesesplacedimpartiallyagainstoneanotherinthechorus.InthefirstsenseactingasAntigonemore.InthesecondasCreon.Thetwointheiropposition,notasnationaland anti-national (or, in that instance, cultured) like Ajax and Ulysses, nor like Oedipusagainst theGreekcountrypeople andNature inher ancient andoriginal shape, as a free-thinking man against loyal simplicity, but weighing equally one against the other anddifferent only in relation to the times, so that the one loses pre-eminently because it isbeginning, and the other wins because it is following on behind. In that way the strangechorusbeingdiscussedherefitsthewholeinthemostaptfashionanditscoldimpartialityisakindofwarmthbecauseitissopeculiarlyfitting.

Tragedy,asthenotesonOedipushavealreadyindicated,residesinthis:thattheimmediateGod,whollyonewithman(forthegodofanapostleislessimmediatebutisthehighesttheunderstandingiscapableof,inthehighestspirit),thataninfiniteenthusiasminfinitely,whichis to say inantitheses, inconsciousness thatcancelsoutconsciousness,andsacramentallydepartingfromitself,apprehendsitself,andthegod,intheshapeofdeath,ispresent.

Hence,asalreadytoucheduponinthenotesonOedipus,thedialogicformandthechorusas its antithesis, hence also the dangerous form in the scenes, which, in a way morecharacteristicof theGreeks,hasanecessarily factiveoutcome in this sense that thewordbecomesmoremediatedlyfactiveandseizesratherthebody’ssenses;butinourtimesand

according to our conception of things, it becomes more immediate and seizes rather thebody’sspirit.ThelanguageoftragedyfortheGreeksislethallyfactive,becausethebodyitseizesholdofdoesliterallykill.Forus,standingaswedounderaZeusmoreourown,whonot only pauses between this world and the wild world of the dead but also forces thenatural courseof things (which is alwayshostile toman)on itsway into theotherworldmoredecidedlybacktoearth,andbecausethisgreatlyaltersouressentialandournationalconceptions, and because our poetry must be proper to our homeland, its subject-matterchoseninaccordancewithourviewoftheworldanditsconceptionsthoseofourhomeland–forusthenGreekconceptionsalterbecausethechiefstrivingoftheGreeksistocomposethemselves,thatbeingwheretheirweaknesslay,whereasourchiefstrivinginthewayourtimes see things is to hit upon something, to have a fate, because having no fate, beingδυσμορον,isourweakness.ForthatreasontheGreekshavemoreskillandgreatervirtueasathletes,andhoweverparadoxicaltheheroesoftheIliadmayseemtousthatisindeedwhattheyhaveastheirtrueexcellenceandseriousvirtue.Thosequalitiesareinourworldmoresubordinated to propriety. And so also Greek conceptions and poetic forms are moresubordinatedtothoseofourhomeland.

Thusthelethallyfactive,therealmurderbylanguage,isdoubtlesstobeviewedratherasapeculiarlyGreekformandsoasonenowsubordinatedtoanartformmorecharacteristicof our homeland. Such an art of our homeland, as we could doubtless show, may be alanguagethatofitselfworkskillinglyratherthanonewhichcausesthingstohappenthatwillresult indeath; sonot actuallyendingwithmurderordeathas that throughwhich tragedymust be apprehended, but more in themanner ofOedipus at Colonus, where the wordsspokenbyamouth inspiredare terrible,andkill,butnot inagraspableGreekway, inanathleticandplasticspirit,wherethewordsseizethebodysothatitkills.

Thus, eithermoreGreek ormoreHesperian, tragedy resides inmore violent ormoreunstoppabledialogue,andinchoruseswhichareastayoraninterpretationforthedialogueandwhichgivetheunendingquarrelitsdirectionoritsforce,asthesufferingorgansofthebody in divine struggle, which cannot be dispensed with because even in the shape ofinfinitetragedytheGodcannotcommunicateitselftothebodyabsolutelyunmediatedlybutmustbegraspedbythemindorappropriatedintothelife;butmostofalltragedyconsistsinfactivewords that,moreacontext thananutterance,move in themannerofFate from thebeginningtotheend;inhowtheplotproceeds,inthegroupingofthecharactersagainstoneanother, and in the form that reason takes in the terrible interlude of a tragic age,which,havingpresented itself then, in itswildgenesis, inantitheses, later, inahumaneage,willcountasanestablishedopinion,bornofadivinefate.

TheplotinAntigonehastheformofanunrest inwhich,sofarasit isamatterforthenation,theessentialthingisthateverycharacter,caughtupinaninfinitereversalandshakenthroughandthroughbyit,apprehendsherselforhimselfintheinfiniteforminwhichheorsheissoshaken.Forreversalinthemothercountryisthereversalofallwaysofperceivingthings and of all forms. Total reversal in these however, like any total reversal with norestraint, isforbiddentoManasathinkingbeing.Andinareversalinthemothercountry,wherethewholeshapeof thingsaltersandNatureandNecessity,whicharealwaysthere,inclinetoanothershape,goingovereitherintowildernessorintosomenewshape,insucha

change everything merely necessary is on the side of change, for which reason, in thepossibilityofsuchchange,evenaneutralperson,notonlyonetakenupagainsttheformofthemothercountry,willbeforcedbyaviolenceofthespiritofthetimestobepatriotic,tobe present to an infinite degree in the religious, political andmoral forms of his or hercountry.(προφανηθιθεος).SuchseriousremarksarenecessaryfortheunderstandingoftheworksofartoftheGreeksasforallgenuineworksofart.Theactualprocedureorconductin a time of unrest (which is admittedly only one kind of national reversal, one having amoredefinitecharacter)hasjustbeenindicated.

Whensuchaphenomenonisa tragiconeithappensthroughreaction,andformlessnesstakesfireatthealltooformal.Typicallythenthepeoplecaughtupinsuchafatedonotstandlike those inOedipus in the shape of ideas in a conflict over the truth and like a mandefending his reason, nor like one defending his life, his property or his honour like thecharactersinAjax,buttheyconfrontoneanotherlikepersonsinanarrowsense,aspersonsofrank,theybecomeformalised.

Thegroupingof suchcharacters is, inAntigone, comparable to a contestbetween tworunners where the first to get out of breath and stumble against his opponent has lost,whereas thestruggle inOedipusmaybecompared toa fist-fight, that inAjax toa fencingmatch.

The rational form here developing tragically is political, indeed republican, becausebetweenCreonandAntigone,theformalandtheanti-formal,thebalanceisheldtooequally.ThisismostapparenttowardstheendwhenCreonisalmostmanhandledbyhisservants.

Sophocles is right. This is the fate of his times and the form of his country.Wemayperhaps idealise, for example choose the best moment, but the ways a country has ofperceivingthings,intheirhierarchyatleast,mustnotbealteredbythepoet,whosejobitisto present theworldon a reduced scale.For us such a formmay still just about beusedbecause infinite things like the spirit of states and of theworld can in any case only begrasped from some off-centre point of view. However, the national forms of our poets,where such forms exist, are preferable because they exist not just in order to learn tounderstandthespiritofthetimesbutoncethatspiritisgraspedandlearnedtoholditsteadyandtofeelit.

TRANSLATOR’SNOTES

Inbracketsare thepoem’sopeningwords ifotherpoemshave thesametitle; the titleandwhere necessary the opening words, in German; the volume and page reference in theStuttgarteditionofHölderlin’scompleteworks,GrosseStuttgarterAusgabe[GStA].

Greece[Griechenland;1,179]:Written1794,published1795.TheaddresseeisGottholdFriedrich Stäudlin, editor and political activist and the first influential encourager ofHölderlin’spoeticcareer.ForhisrevolutionaryviewshewasexiledfromWürttembergin1793andcommittedsuicidethreeyearslater,havingstruggledtomakealivingoutsidehishomeland.

Theoaktrees[DieEichbäume;1,201]:Firstpublished1797,probablywrittentheyearbefore.OneofmanyexpressionsofHölderlin’sloveoftrees.

ToDiotima(‘Comeand lookat thehappiness…’) [AnDiotima(KommundsiehedieFreude…);1,210]:Unfinished.Probablywritten1797asoneofthefirstofthepoemstoSusetteGontard;notpublisheduntil1908.Thephrase‘alovingquarrel’isakeytomuchofHölderlin’spoeticphilosophy.

Diotima (‘HeavenlyMuse of Delight…’) [Diotima (Komm und besänftigemir…); 1,231]Probablywrittenin1797,firstpublished1826

‘The peoples were silent…’ [Die Völker schwiegen, schlummerten…; 1, 238]:Unfinished, seems to have beenwritten in the autumn of 1797, first published 1921. ThesubjectistheWarsoftheFirstCoalition(1792-97)againstRevolutionaryFrance

Empedocles[Empedokles;1,240]:Draftedin1797,perhapsnotcompletedtill1800,firstpublished the following year. Also in 1797 Hölderlin made a plan for a tragedy on thesubjectofEmpedocles,workedatit1798-9,butcouldnotcompleteittohissatisfaction.

TotheFates[AndieParzen;1,241]:Written1798,firstpublished1799.Thiswasoneofthe very few poems Hölderlin’s mother showed an interest in. She was worried by it,understandably.Infacthewasgivenmorethanonesummer,butnotmanymore.

Tohergoodangel[AnihrenGenius;1,243]:Written1798,firstpublished1799.

Pleaforforgiveness [Abbitte;1,244]:Written1798,published1799.Thepoignancyofthepoemliesinthefactthatthewomancannot,unlikethemoon,resumeaformertranquilradiance.

TotheSunGod[DemSonnengott;1,258]:Written1798,firstpublished1846.

Hyperion’s Song of Fate [Hyperions Schiksaalslied; 1, 265]: The poem occurs in thesecondvolume,published1799,ofHölderlin’snovelHyperion.Theherosingsitastheruinofhislifeisbecomingclear.

‘When Iwas a boy…’ [Da ich einKnabewar…; 1, 266]:Written towards the end ofHölderlin’stimeinFrankfurt,1797-98;firstpublished1826.Toearnaliving,hewasfourtimesthetutorofyoungchildren.

Achilles[Achill;1,271]:firstpublishedin1846,thepoemwasprobablywrittenattheendofSeptember1798,soonafterHölderlin’sabruptdeparturefromtheGontardhousehold.Hewent to live innearbyHomburgvorderHöheandsawSusetterarelyandonlywithgreatdifficulty.TheyseparatedforgoodinMay1800.HereheexpresseshisdistressthroughthefigureofAchilleswho,robbedofthegirlBriseis,complainstohismother,thesea-goddessThetis(Iliad1,384-430).

‘Oncethereweregods…’[Götterwandelteneinst…;1,274]:Fragments– theendofthethirdandthebeginningofthefourthsection–ofasubstantialelegy,writteninthespringof 1799, first published 1909.The rest of the poem, if itwas finished, has not survived.AddressedtoSusetteGontardthelinescelebrateandaffirmtheirallianceintimesthatarehostiletothespirit.

‘If I heeded them warning me now …’ [Hört ich die Warnenden izt…; 1, 275]:Unfinished,written1799,firstpublished1922.

Parting[Abschied;1,276]:Unfinished,written1799,firstpublished1846.

TheZeitgeist[DerZeitgeist;1,300]:Written1799,firstpublished1800.

Evening fantasy [Abendphantasie; 1, 301]:Written 1799, first published 1800. One ofseveralpoemsstruggling,intheabsenceofSusetteGontard,tomakethebestofanincurableloneliness.

Morning[DesMorgens;1,302]:Written1799,firstpublished1800.

TheMain[DerMain;1,303]:Written1799,firstpublished1800.ThefirstofHölderlin’sriverpoems,allofwhichmoreor lessconsequentiallyconnectGermanywith theAncientWorld.‘TheMain’shareshalfadozenofitsstanzaswith‘TheNeckar’(p.51).

Thatwhich ismine [MeinEigentum; 1, 306]: Autumn 1799, first published 1846. Thewriter,restlessandessentiallyhomeless,looksforanabidingstayinthepoemitself.

‘Anotherday…’[Wohlgehichtäglich…’;1,313]:Unfinished.Writtenperhapsaslateasspring1800;firstpublished1846.Theelegy‘Menon’slamentforDiotima’(p.83)isalargeexpansionofthistopic.

‘Thesungoesdown…’[Gehunter,schöneSonne…’;1,314]:WrittenwhilstHölderlinwasstillinHomburg;thatis,beforeMay1800.Firstpublished1846.Itends(inGermanatleast) with one of those realisations of love and fulfilment that Hölderlin’s verse ispeculiarlycapableof.Thereisanotherin‘TheRhine’(p.135,ll.10-23).

Peace[DerFrieden;2,6]:Written1799,firstpublished1846.Lines1-2,Hölderlindidnotfill in thegaphe leftbetween ‘the’and ‘transformed’.Thepoemaddressesand longs forpeaceinatimeofwidespreadandseeminglyendlesswar.

Heidelberg [Heidelberg; 2, 14]: The poem was begun in 1798, finished in 1800, firstpublishedin1801.HeidelbergisontheNeckar.HölderlinwasfirstthereinJune1788andwroteanaccountofthevisitforhismother.Heparticularlynotedtheancientcastleandthenewbridge.

The Gods [Die Götter; 2, 16]: June 1800 at the latest, first published 1801.Characteristically,whenaddressingorimaginingthegodsHölderlinhashismindonhumanstrife,anxietyandsadness.

TheNeckar [DerNekar; 2, 17]: Early 1800, first published 1801. Compare this poemwith‘TheMain’(p.40).

Home [Die Heimath; 2, 19]: Expansion, in 1800, of a two-strophe poem composed in1798. First published in 1806. Here Hölderlin, like John Clare after his return from theasyluminEppingForest,findshimself‘homelessathome’.

Love[DieLiebe;2,20]:Expansion,in1800,ofasingle-strophepoemcomposedin1798and entitled ‘The unforgiveable thing’ [Das Unverzeihliche, 1, 254]. ‘Love’ was firstpublishedin1826.

Course of life [Lebenslauf; 2, 22]: Expansion, in 1800, of a single-strophe poemcomposedin1798.Firstpublishedin1826.

The Parting, second version [Der Abschied; 2, 26]: Expansion, in 1800, of a single-strophe poem composed in 1798 and entitled ‘The Lovers’. ‘The Parting’ was firstpublishedin1826.

Diotima (‘Youare silent, you suffer it…’) [Diotima (Du schweigstundduldest…); 2,28]: Expansion, in 1800, of a two-strophe poem composed in 1798 and published thefollowingyear.Thislongerversionwasnotpublishedtill1826.DiotimabelongsamongtheGreeks. The poem celebrates them, laments their passing and looks forward to a time inwhichDiotimawouldbeathomeagain.

Return to the homeland [Rükkehr in die Heimath; 2, 29]: Written in 1800 and firstpublishedthefollowingyear.

Encouragement,secondversion[Ermunterung;2,35]:Probablybegunin1799,finishedearly1801,firstpublishedin1826.

SungundertheAlps[UnterdenAlpengesungen;2,44]:Hölderlin’sonlySapphicode,written early 1801 when he was in Hauptwil, Switzerland; first published 1802. TheproximityoftheAlpsmovedhimgreatly(seealsotheelegy‘Homecoming’).Hefelthimselftobe close to innocence. Itwas inHauptwil that he learnedof thePeaceofLunéville, abriefcessationofhostilitiestowhichheattachedlargehopes(see‘CelebrationofPeace’).Inthelastlinesherehispoeticvocationseemscleartohim.

The calling of poetry [Dichterberuf; 2, 46]: Expansion in 1801 of a two-strophe poemwritten in 1798, published in 1799 and entitled ‘To our great poets’ [An unsre großenDichter].‘Thecallingofpoetry’,firstpublishedin1802,considerstheupheavalinEuropearoundtheturnofthecenturyandthepoet’sresponsibilityinthemidstofit.

Voiceofthepeople,secondversion[StimmedesVolks;2,51]:Thelargeexpansion,firstin1800 then in1801,ofa two-strophepoemwritten in1798andfirstpublished in1800.Thissecondversionwaspublishedin1802.Again,itisapoeminwhichHölderlintriestomakesenseofthetimesandofhisresponsibilitiesinthem.Theopeninglinealludestothesaying‘voxpopuli,voxdei’[thevoiceofthepeopleisthevoiceofGod]butintheimagesoftheriversandofthecitizensofXanthusHölderlinanxiouslywondershowtocounterthehelplessdriveintodissolution,ofwhichheseesexamplesinhumanhistoryandwhich,hefears, characterises the present times and, increasingly, his own psyche. The story of theXanthians’ suicidal courage is told by Plutarch in his Life of Brutus (30-1) and byHerodotusinhisHistories(1,176).

The blind singer [Der blinde Sänger; 2, 54]: Written 1801, first published 1826. Theepigraph–meaning‘Areshasloosedthetormentfromhiseyes’–isfromSophocles’Ajax(l.706)andoccursinthethirdofthethreeextractsfromthatplaytranslatedbyHölderlin.

Poeticcourage, first version [Dichtermuth; 2, 62]: This, the first version of the poem,begunaroundtheturnofthecentury,wasfinishedperhapsayearlater.Firstpublished1826.

Poeticcourage,secondversion [Dichtermuth;2,64]:Probablyearly in1801Hölderlinundertookathoroughrevisionofallbuttheopeningtwostrophesofthepoem.Thisversionhad its firstpublication in1885 in thecontextofpreparations foracriticaleditionofhiswork.Bothversions,especiallyinthefourthstrophe,insistthatthepoetmustbeinthemidstofpeople,opentothelivestheylead.

Thefetteredriver [DergefesselteStrom;2, 67]: Probablywritten early in 1801, firstpublished 1826. A poem imagining or enacting one of those ‘returns’ George Herbertexperienced.Theprimary image is thatof the river released fromstasis in the iceby thecomingofspring.ButGanymede,whowillbecomecentralintheradicalre-writingofthispoem,isalreadywaitinginthewings.

Chiron [Chiron;2,56]:This and the followingeightpoems first appeared in1805, as acyclewiththetitle‘NightSongs’,inaperiodicalpublishedbyFriedrichWilmans,whotheyearbeforehadpublishedHölderlin’sOedipus andAntigone. The poems, like the plays,met with derision. It is best to understand the transformation of ‘The blind singer’ into‘Chiron,‘Thefetteredriver’into‘Ganymede’and‘Poeticcourage’into‘Timidity’asanactmore of translation than of revision. Hölderlin translated his own poems into anotherlanguage(atthesametimeashewastranslatingSophoclesintoalanguageallhisown,hisownbutforeign).To‘Theblindsinger’,asto‘Thefetteredriver’,headdsanotherstrandofmetaphor:fromthemyths.SoChirontheCentaurlongsforreleasefromsuffering.Heracles,

whoaccidentallywoundedhimwithapoisonedarrow,returnsnowwiththepromisethat,despitebeingthesonofagod,heistobeallowedtodie.Thisnewsbreaksinuponhimlikedaylight.

Tears[Thränen;2,58]:Written in1802(fromafirstdraftaround1800)andrevisedforpublication in December 1803. ‘Tears’, originally called ‘Sappho’s swansong’ [SapphosSchwanengesang]isfulloflongingfortheislandsofGreece.Thegriefitexpressesisnearlyoverwhelming.

ToHope[AndieHoffnung;2,59]:Revisedforpublication inDecember1803.The lastlinessuggestthatthewriterwouldwelcomereanimationatwhatevercost.

Vulcan [Vulkan; 2, 60]: The poem’s first title was ‘Winter’. The new title ‘Vulcan’,doubtless preferred during revision in December 1803, is of a piece with ‘Chiron’ and‘Ganymede’.Lovehere, likehopeinthepreviouspoem,isanactivemythicfigure,notanabstraction.

Timidity[Blödigkeit;2,66]:Thethirdversionof‘Poeticcourage’(December1803)withanew title suggesting the opposite – courage (like hope) being needed rather than alreadypresent.

Ganymede[Ganymed;2,68]:GanymedewascarriedoffbyZeus’eagle tobe thegods’cupbearer.Inthispoem,afteraseparation,hereturnstothemasspringcomes.

HalfofLife [HälftedesLebens;2,117]:Thispoem,probablyHölderlin’sbestknown,seemstohavecomeoutofthechanceproximityofnotesfortwoorthreeseparatepoemsononemanuscriptpage.WrittenorpreparedforpublicationinDecember1803,itisbeautifullybalanced – before life tilts intowinter.When its authorwas transported to the Tübingenclinicin1806hewashalfwaythroughhislife.

Agesoflife[Lebensalter;2,115]:WrittenorpreparedforpublicationinDecember1803.Thereisaneeriesenseoftime,destructionandlonelinessinthispoem.

HahrdtNook[DerWinkelvonHahrdt;2,116]:Likealltheother‘NightSongs’,preparedin December 1803 for publication in 1805. The place is a cave in woodland betweenDenkendorf and Nürtingen, close to where Hölderlin grew up. Ulrich is the Duke ofWürttembergwhoin1519hidfromhisenemiesthere.

Menon’slamentforDiotima[MenonsKlagenumDiotima;2,75]:Writtenprobablyinthefirsthalfof1800‘Menon’slament’isanexpandedandmorethoroughlycomposedversionof apoem in the samemetre (elegiac couplets) andon the same subject (separation fromSusetteGontard) called simply ‘Elegy’ [Elegie]written somemonths earlier. Itwas firstpublished,veryunsatisfactorily,overtwoissuesoftheMusen-Almanachin1802and1803.Thename‘Menon’,derivingfromGreek,means‘theonewhoremainsorabides’.Really,inthenaturalrhythmofelegy,palpableineachthree-strophephase,Menonremainsjustabout

intactbyconjuringuptheveryconditionofpresentlovewhoselossisunbearable.

A walk into the country [Der Gang aufs Land; 2, 84]: The poem, unfinished, wascompleted thus far,withdrafts for itscontinuation, in theautumnof1800whenHölderlinwasstayingwithhisclosefriendChristianLandauerinStuttgartandtohimitisaddressed.The first eighteen linesof itwerepublished in1826.Very typically, it isdrivennotbyapresent joyousstatebutby thewill toengender joy,as though thewritermight induce theleadenskytoclearbytheveryforceofsettingoff–fortheinaugurationofanewGasthausonthehilltopandbybeginningthepoemitself.MargarethevonTrotta’s1981filmabouttheterroristGudrunEnsslintookitstitle,DiebleierneZeit[TheAgeofLead],fromline6ofthispoem.

Stuttgart[Stutgard;2,86]:Writtenprobably towards theendof1800,firstpublishedin1807.SiegfriedSchmid(1774-1859)was,inhisyouthatleast,aratherunstablewould-bepoetverydrawntoHölderlinastoakindredspirit.SchillerandGoethe,discussingthetwoofthemin1796,decidedtheyepitomisedmuchthatwaswronganddangerousintheyoungergeneration.‘Stuttgart’,likesomanyofHölderlin’spoems,isstructuredbyajourney,hereonfoot toLauffen,Hölderlin’sbirthplace,on thebordersofhishomeland, tomeet the friendandconducthimtothefestivities.Barbarossa(1122-90),Conradin(1252-68)andChristoph(1515-68) were all (among other things) Dukes of Württemberg. The words in the laststrophe‘ohcome,ohmakeittrue!’arethedrivinginjunctionofmuchofHölderlin’sverse.

BreadandWine[BrodundWein;2,90]:Begunintheautumnof1800,finishedthatwinter.Thefirststrophewaspublished,asthoughitwereacompletepoemhavingthetitle‘Night’[DieNacht],inaliteraryperiodicalin1807,withoutHölderlin’spermission.Therewasnocompletepublicationuntil1894.InHölderlin’smythologyweinhabitthenight;thatis,weliveintheabsenceofthegods.Thispoemseekstomakesenseofourtimesandtocounter,in poet and reader, the inclination to despair. The poem is dedicated toWilhelmHeinse(1746-1803)andaddresseshimdirectlyinthesecondandseventhstrophes.HewasafriendoftheGontardfamilyand,astheauthorofaphilhellenenovelArdinghello,ortheblessedisles [Ardinghello oder die glückseligen Inseln] a lasting inspiration toHölderlin. In thethirdstrophethepoemshiftstoGreece,especiallytotheareaaroundDelphi,theIsthmusofCorinth,MountCithaeron,Thebes, the latter twoplacesbeingcloselyassociatedwith theworshipofDionysus,‘thecominggod’.CadmuswasthefounderofThebes.Instrophes4,5,6 the poem first confronts the fact that from Greece also the gods have now absentedthemselves.Onlytheircultsitesandmonumentsremain.Nexttheirfirstcomingintothelivesofhumanbeings is recalledor imagined.Then, again, their departure and absence. In thepoem’s final three strophes Hölderlin, trained for the Lutheran church, offers a veryheterodoxmyth.Christ,alreadyintroducedinthelastlinesofstrophe6,closestheperiodofdivinepresenceintheGreekdaylightandushersinourageofnight.Heistwinnedorevenfused in this capacity with the wine god Dionysus. Indeed, their myths have much incommon.

Homecoming[Heimkunft;2,96]:WrittensoonafterHölderlin’sreturnfromHauptwil inApril1801;almostcertainlyhislastelegy;published1802.Thepoemisstructuredbytheliteral homecoming: the crossing of Lake Constance to Lindau, the journey from there toNürtingen, the reunionwith family and friends.Themood is one of joy and hope, but anundertowofpersonalsadnessisalsodiscernible.InStrophe5,l.8alludestothePeaceofLunéville,9February1801.

TheArchipelago[DerArchipelagus;2,103]:Thistremendouspoem,probablywritteninthespringof1800 (firstpublished1804),openswithanevocationof spring in theGreekarchipelago,and itswish throughout is that this literal regeneration shouldalsobecomeafigurative one and that we, in the present, should recover, in our ‘Hesperian’ mode, thecondition of Periclean Athens. The poem re-enacts the rebuilding of the city after thePersians,whohadsackedit,weredefeatedattheBattleofSalamis.Thatimageattheheartofthepoem(p.108,ll.4-24)isimmenselyencouraging;butthepoemalsorepeatedlyfacesuptoourloss,tothebarbarismofourtimesandtotheprecariousnessofthepoet’sexistencein them (p. 108, l. 4ff.; p. 108, l. 25ff.; p. 109, ll. 32ff.; p. 111, l5ff). Nevertheless, itsconstantdriveistowardsfulfilment,amplyimaginedinp.110,ll.10-30.Theyouthsittingalone(p.105,l.15)isThemistocles,preparingtoconfrontthePersians.HepersuadedtheAthenianstotrustthemselvestothesea,andinsodoingencourageddemocracy,sinceitwasfromthelowerclassesthatthesailorsforthenewnavycameandafterSalamistheywantedtheirsay.Someyearsbeforewriting‘TheArchipelago’Hölderlinhadexplicitlyassociatedthe wars of Athens and Persia with those of France and reactionary Europe, a war ofcitizens against thekings.Thekinghere (p. 105, l. 28) isXerxes.AfterThermopylae theGreekswithdrew to their last lineofdefenceon the IsthmusofCorinth,andbroughtbacktheir fleet toSalamis, leavingAthensand thewholeofAttica tobe sacked.Themistoclesforced the outcome then in the narrows of Salamis (480BC).Hölderlin’s account of thebattlemaybecomparedwiththeMessenger’sreportinAeschylus’ThePersians.P.109,ll.16-20namethreeplacesfamousforprophecy.Theyare:Dodona,whereZeusspokethroughthe wind in the oak tree; Delphi, where Apollo spoke through his priestess; and ‘theprescienttown’ofThebes,homeofTiresias.

Those sleeping now [DieEntschlafenen; 2, 113]:Written byHölderlin in the autum of1800, the lines were inscribed on a relief in the house of Christian Landauer. TheycommemoratethedeathsofLandauer’sfatherandbrother.Firstpublishedin1846.

As when on a holiday… [Wie wenn am Feiertage…; 2,118]: Written perhaps in thesummerof1800,notpublishedtill1910,thisimportantfragmentisHölderlin’sfirstattempttowritehymnicpoetryinthemannerofPindarandhisonlyattempttoreproducethetriadicstructureandthemetricalpatterningofPindar’sodesexactly.Hewas,probablyatthesametime,translating,wordforwordandcleavingveryclosetotheliteralsense,atleast2000linesofPindar,whichextraordinaryexerciseenabledhimthentowritethegreathymnsthatfollow.ForSemeleandDionysusseenoteson‘Thecallingofpoetry’and‘FromEuripides’

Bacchae’.Towards theendofmytranslationIhave includedsomedrafted lines(those initalics)thatHölderlinwouldperhapshavealteredoromittedhadhefinishedthepoem.

ToMother Earth [Der Mutter Erde; 2, 123]: Unfinished, probably worked at in theautumnof1801,firstpublished1916.Thefinalstructurewouldmostlikelyhavebeenninestrophesdisposedtriadically(3x3)amongthesingers.Klopstock,whomHölderlingreatlyadmired,hadcomposedodesforthreevoicesinthe1760s.Inthispoemthesingershavenocongregation.Theysinginanageofabsence.Finalpassage,5linesup:theGermanword‘Horde’[horde]hasalsobeenreadas‘Herde’[herd]andIpreferthatreading.

At the source of theDanube [AmQuell derDonau; 2, 126]:Written early 1801, firstpublished1916.TheopeningtwostrophesarelostbuttheirsenseandfunctioninthewholepoemcanbededucedfromHölderlin’sdraftswhichIhavetranslated.Thepoemhasatwo-waystructure.‘Thevoicethatshapesourhumanity’,comingoutofAsiaMinor,breaksoveruslikethetremendousmusicoftheorganoveracongregation.TheDanube–risingintheBlackForest,flowingintotheBlackSea–isastill-livingconnectionwithourorigins.Seealso‘Thejourney’.

Celebration of Peace, first version [Versöhnender, der du …; 2, 130]: Written inFebruary1801aftertheannouncementofthePeaceofLunéville.Firstpublished1916.Notuntil 1954 and the appearance (in London) of the final version could ‘Reconciler, neverbelievedin…’beunderstoodasitsbeginnings.Bynomeansallofthisfirstversion(norofthe second and third) was taken up into the finished ‘Celebration of Peace’ andmy twotranslations,ofthefirstandthefinalversion,maygiveatleastsomesenseoftheprocessofcomposition.

Celebration of Peace, final version [Friedensfeier; 3, 531]: This final version wasprobablycompletedinthewinterof1803-4tobepublished,asasinglepoem,thefirstinaseries,byFriedrichWilmans.Infactithadtowaitforpublicationtill1954.Manythousandsofwords have been spent interpreting it, particularly on trying to ‘fix’ the identity of the‘PrinceoftheFestival’(ChristorNapoleonorafusionofthetwobeingthefront-runners).Besttrytoreaditwithsomeofthe‘negativecapability’thatKeatsthoughtindispensableforthewriting of poetry. And to note that Hölderlin’s poem, written in celebration of anannouncementofpeaceis,verytypically,fullofdoubt,hesitationanduncertainty.Sowhatwemost feel is not peace but the longing for peace, the longing for a peaceful humanity.Passages of the poem realise that condition, imagine it present.Meanwhile theworld ofnationalismsandpoliticscontinues.

Thejourney[DieWanderung;2,138]:Probablyearly1801,firstpublished1802.Swabia(‘Suevia’), Hölderlin’s homeland, is here celebrated in itsmedieval extent, and thus hasLakeConstance (‘the long lake in thehaze’) and theAlps as its southernborder.Neckar,Rhine andDanube are its principal rivers.A journey east, to the origins, is an importantelement or main structuring device in this poem as in ‘Bread and Wine’ and ‘Patmos’.

Swallows,peach,cherry,vines,allconnecteastwithwest,butthechieflinkhere,asin‘AtthesourceoftheDanube’,and‘TheIster’,istheriver.Hölderlinwillhaveknownverywellthat in the eighteenth centurySwabians emigrated in great numbers down theDanube andsettledintheregionnowknownastheBanat.Butforhisownmythologyhehasthemtraveleastintheremotepast,tointermarryontheBlackSeawith‘childrenofthesun’.TheGreekscalledthatsea‘kindtostrangers’(pontoseuxeinos).ThewholeachievementofGreeceisrepresentedbyfamousmountains:Taygetus,forSparta;Hymettus,forAthens;Parnassus,forDelphi.TheRhine’sabruptchangeofcourse(p.133,ll.27-29)isremarkeduponagaininthenextpoem(p.36,l.6).Thepoet-travellerhascometoGreecetoinvitetheGraces(alsoknownastheCharites)backtohisowncountrywhich,hefeels,isbadlyinneedofthem.

TheRhine[DerRhein;2,142]:Written1801,firstpublished1808.Thepoembeginsasameditation on the course and nature of the Rhine and continues among the possibilitiesengendered by thatmeditation. It turns to Rousseau, a force like the river inHölderlin’sview.Generally, thepoemmaybesaid tobeabout themanagementofenergy, itsstrugglewithform,a‘lovingquarrel’.TheMoreawasthenameforthePeloponneseinMedievalandEarlyModern times. TheTicino and theRhône both rise, like theRhine, in theGotthardmassif,theTicinoflowsintoItaly,theRhôneintoFrance.TheRhineflowseastatfirst,asfarasChur,thenbearsconclusivelynorth.RousseauwithdrewtotheÎleSt-Pierre,inLakeBiel,fortwohappymonthsin1765.The‘onewiseman’isSocrateswhointheSymposiumstays awake all night and his conversation never flags. In the dedication and in the finalstropheHölderlinaddresseshisclosefriendIsaakvonSinclair,acombativeandpoliticallyactiveman.But‘TheRhine’wasfirstdedicatedtoWilhelmHeinseandthefinalstrophe,initsoriginalform,wascloselyappropriatetohim.Itread:

AndyousayfromafartomeOutofasoulalwayssereneWhatdoyoucallhappiness?Whatunhappiness?Myfather,IwellunderstandthequestionbutthewaveThattookmeunderStillragesinmyearandIdreamOfthepreciouspearlontheseafloor.Butyou,connoisseuroftheseaAndofterrafirmacontemplatetheearthAndthelightandthinkthemunalikeButbothholyforsenttoyouOutoftheclearblueupperairYouhavealwaysagenialspiritaroundyourbrow.

Heinse was the confidant of Hölderlin and Susette Gontard and knew what he sufferedlosing her – ll. 5-8 describe it, she is the precious pearl. Heinse died 21 June 1803.DoubtlessHölderlinchangedthededicateeafterthatdate.

Germania [Germanien; 2, 149]: Written, very likely, 1801; first published 1896.Hölderlin, like his early mentor Schiller, wished to define a character and purpose for

GermanythatwouldaccordwithhergeographicalsituationattheheartofEurope.Itwouldbeadefinition in largepart through thenegative:notmercantile likeBritainnorpoliticallikeFrance.HewouldhaveloathedtheReichthatcameintobeingunderBismarckin1871byunification,letaloneHitler’shideousfabrication.Noteparticularlythispoem’slastfourlines.‘Germania’isabidtomakeGermanythenewlocusofthespiritofAncientGreece.Butthatbidisfraughtwithdoubts:aboutitsproprietyasmuchasitsfeasibility.Also,sincethe pull of Greece, of the past, is still every bit as strong as it was in that early poem‘Greece’ (p. 19), thewhole enterprise is risky. So the verses swing continually betweenfaith,fearoftransgression,andasenseofpersonalperil.

Theonlyone, firstversion [DerEinzige; 2, 153]: First published in 1896, this versionwasbegun,mostlikely,intheautumnof1801;continued,butneverfinished,ayearlater;bywhich time, after the death ofSusetteGontard and another failure to secure a livelihood,Hölderlinwasstrugglingtoholdontohissanity.‘Theonlyone’and‘Patmos’arepartofhisconcertedeffort in theseyears tomakeacoherentmythof the lifeofChrist, theendingofGreekcivilisation,andEuropeanhistorythereafter.Lifeintheinterim,asheunderstoodit,in the meanwhile, in an age of darkness, hoping for millennial light, being grievouslydisappointed. This first version, with a limpid grace, puzzles at how to associate the‘worldlymen’,HeraclesandBacchus,twoofmanygodsinapantheism,withChrist,whosereligioninsiststhatheistheoneandonly.WhatHölderlinwantshereisatrefoil.

Theonlyone,ll.50-97ofthesecondversion[2,158]:Thissectionwasfirstpublishedin1941. I’ve translated just these lines because in them Hölderlin’s compulsive radicalrewriting is most evident. Here and in the third version, and also in the later work on‘Patmos’,graceandclarityareneartobeingabandoned,thelinesextendalmosthelplesslyinthewelterofmaterialandintheefforttogetatatenabletruth.‘TheBard’maybeOssianorKlopstock.‘TheAfrican’maybeAugustine.

The only one, third version [2, 249]: First published 1916. These later versions,overflowingthelines,seemthemselvesattimestoexemplifytheunrestraintthatHölderlinfeltandfearedthroughouthislifeandspokeofhere:‘Fortheworldis/Foreverecstaticallyliftingawayfromtheearthandwould/Denudeitwherethereisnoholdinhumanethings.’Huntsman,ploughman,beggarmaywellbeDionysus,Heracles,Christ.

Patmos [Patmos; 2, 165]: The poem was finished early in 1803 and first published in1808.Itisaddressedtothepiousrulerofthelittlestate,nearFrankfurt,inwhichHölderlinlivedafterthedeathofSusetteGontardanduntilhisremovaltotheTübingenclinicin1806.Like‘TheRhine’itderivesawidermeditationoutofitsparticularsubject.‘Patmos’treatsChrist’sMinistryandPassionratherasPindartreatsthemythsofhisage,anditstrugglestohopeforthebestintimesofabsenceandbenightedness.Muchofthepoemisteasedoutofthe imagery of the opening lines. His prayer answered, the poet-traveller arrives in acompressed landscape of fabulousAsiaMinor, the locus of the beginnings ofHellas, butsoon turns his backon it andmakes forPatmos, oneof theDodecanese, visible from the

coast,anislandofourtime,whereStJohnwrotetheApocalypse.HölderlinbelievedhimtobethesameJohnwhowasChrist’sdiscipleandwhowrotetheGospel.BetweenthatgospelandHölderlin’spoemtherearemanypointsofcontact.

Patmos,fragmentsofalaterversion[2,179]and165.Patmos,ll.136-195ofworkonafinalversion[2,185]:Hölderlinwasrevising‘Patmos’inthesummerandautumnof1803whilst in that period also working on the later versions of ‘The only one’. In bothundertakings there is the same rather hectic inrush of new material, the chief marker ofwhichisgreatlyextendedlines.Workingon‘Theonlyone’hewastryingtofinishapoemhehadbeguntwoyearspreviously.‘Patmos’,however,isnotonlyfinishedandinthefaircopygiventotheLandgrafinFebruary1803athingofgreatphysicalbeauty,itisalsothemostperfectedofHölderlin’s‘Pindaric’hymnsandamongtheverybestofallhispoems.Yetsixmonthsafteritscompletionhebrokeitup–orwemightsayitwasbrokenupbynewideasandimagesforcinganentry.HefeltpressedtodwellmoreonChrist’sMinistry–theplace-namesNazareth,Jordan,Capernaum,Galilee,Canaare likea listof things thatwant theirdue.But sodoesPeleus, shipwreckedonCos.Then theCrusades, andEmperorHeinrichIV’spenitentialjourneytoCanossain1077:moreandmorepressesin,todefinetheinterimage that begins with Christ’s death. The rewriting of ‘Patmos’ is akin to the rewriting(perhapsaslateasDecember1803)of‘Thefetteredriver’or‘Theblindsinger’;butwiththis distressing difference: ‘Ganymede’ and ‘Chiron’ are completed poems, born out of,translatedoutof,completedpoems.‘Patmos’,perfectedinthededicationcopy,survives;butthereworkingofitenteredintothechaosoffurthercreation,intoanabundancewhichinthetime allowed him Hölderlin could not manage. The revisions of ‘Patmos’ were firstpublishedin1916.

Remembrance[Andenken;2,188]:Written1803,firstpublished1808,thepoemisfullofmemory-images ofHölderlin’s time in Bordeaux. For him now in Swabia, the north-eastwindmakestheconnection.BellarmininHölderlin’snovelHyperionistherecipientofthehero’sletters.InthispoemHölderlinmayhavehisownfriendSinclairinmind.Indiahereisthesource.Theearlymarinersthoughttoreachitbysailingwest.‘Theairypoint’willbetheBecd’Ambès,wheretheGaronneandtheDordognemeetandmakeforthesea.

The Ister [Der Ister; 2, 190]: Written 1803, first published 1916. The Danube, inHölderlin’smythology thegreatconnecting river,wascalled Isterby theGreeks.Herehedwells particularly on its sluggishness, and contrasts it with the headlong course of theyoungRhine. The poem rises against torpor, conjures up animation.According to Pindar(OlympianIII)HeraclesfetchedtheolivefromthebanksoftheIster,forasprigofittobetheprizeattheOlympicGames.

Mnemosyne,secondversion [Mnemosyne;2,195]and174.Mnemosyne, thirdversion[2,197]:Therearewidedifferencesofopinionastothedate(1803or1806)ofthecomplexofwritingpublishedinGStAas‘Mnemosyne’andinD.E.Sattler’sFrankfurteditionas‘DieNymphe’[Thenymph],andalsoastowhatwouldbeincludedwhereinanyfinalversionof

thepoem.Mytranslationsareofversions2and3asdecipheredandarrangedbyBeissnerand printed inGStA. Michael Hamburger’s are of Beissner’s third version and Sattler’s‘TheNymph’.Thedraftswerefirstpublished(butvery imperfectly) in1916.MnemosynewasthemotheroftheMuses;hernamemeansmemory.TheruinsofEleutherae,hercity,lieonthewesternslopesofMountCithaeron,facingMountHelicon,inBoeotia.Thepoem,likemuchlateHölderlin,combatsthelossofmemoryandseekstoholdon.RecallingAchilles,AjaxandPatroclus,alldeadatTroy,servesthatneed;butsoalso,andperhapsbetter,dothemanystartlinglysharpimagesofpresentlifestrewnthroughtheselines.

Asbirds slowlypass over…’ [WieVögel langsamziehn…;2, 204]: Probablywrittenbefore1806,notpublisheduntil1916.Itisanextendedsimilewantingthethingitreferstoandmaybepartofapoemneverwrittenorlost.

‘As upon seacoasts…’ [WieMeeresküsten…; 2, 205]: Dates as the last. A completesimile(itstwosidesrunningtogether)andperhapsacompletepoem.

Home[Heimath;2,206]:Datesasthelast.Unfinished.Hereandinthenextthreepoems,allunfinished,thesensuousnessisremarkable.

‘Forwhenthejuiceofthevine…’[WennnemlichderRebeSaft…;2,207]:Datesasthelast.

‘Onpaleleaves…’[AuffalbemLaube…;2,208]:Datesasthelast.

‘Whenoverthevineyard…’[WennüberdemWeinberg…;2,330]:Perhapsearlierthanthelast.Notpublisheduntil1951.Doubtlessbelonginginalargercontext.

TotheMadonna[AndieMadonna;2,211]:Thissubstantialdraftofalongpoem,writtenperhapsasearlyas1802oraslateas1805,wasfirstpublishedinitsentiretyin1959;butadefinitivetexthasnotbeen,norwillbe,agreed.ItisapartofHölderlin’slargeprojectto(asheput it) ‘define theHesperianorbis inopposition to theorbis of theAncients’.TheMadonna is aHesperiangoddess, but theChristianity she ismostworshipped in ismoresouthern and eastern, so that he, as a Lutheran, feels his approaching her to be apresumption,ifnotatransgression.ThepoemisintensifiedbythepersonalmemoryofhisjourneythroughCatholicWestphaliain1796withWilhelmHeinseandSusetteGontard.HeconnectstheKnochenberg,(‘mountainofbones’)throughafalseetymologytoMountOssain Thessaly and also to Calvary (‘place of the skulls’). Teutoburg, where the GermanictribesunderArminiusannihilatedthelegionsofVarusin7AD,isanotherconnectionacrossthe eras. The memory of Susette, by then dead, in that ‘mixed’ landscape is akin to hiscallingFrankfurt‘thenavelof theearth’(seenoteon‘Wherewebegan…’).ThestoryofElizabeth(Mary’sfriend),herhusbandZachariasandthebirthoftheirson,JohntheBaptist,istoldinthefirstchapterofLuke’sGospel.

TheTitans[DieTitanen;2,217]:Probably1802;firstpublished1916.Hereagain,intheviolent disorder of the interim age, remembrance is a responsibility and a strength. And

there are passages of grace too: luminous present being, in the real circumstances ofcommonhumanlife.

‘Once I asked theMuse…’ [Einst hab ichdieMuse gefragt…;2, 220]: This and thefollowingtwofragmentswerecomposedbetween1802and1806,firstpublishedin1916,andmayinfactbelongtogetherwith‘Home’aspartsofoneunfinishedpoem.Thelineofpoetic argument ishard,or at times impossible, to follow,but in all threeparts therearepassages of great sensuous beauty and clarity. In the first, for example, the opening lineswhich allude toHesiod’s fabled encounterwith theNineMuses onMountHelicon: theygavehimleavesofthelaureltoeat.

‘Butwhen theheavenlypowers…’[WennaberdieHimmlischen…;2,222]:Here theimageofmadnesswithouteyesslinkingthroughthegarden,ortheDioscurigoingtoandfrobetweenheavenandearth,bringingbreath:animmanentbeauty.

‘But formerly, Father Zeus…’ [Sonst nemlich, Vater Zeus…; 2, 226]: And here thehuntressDianawalking the earth and theLord angrily lifting up his countenance over us.Suchmomentsmakegreater ‘sense’,ofcourse, in thewholecontextof lateHölderlin,buttheycomeatuswiththeforceofterribletruthevenasparticles.

Theeagle[DerAdler;2,229]:Unfinished,writtenperhaps1805-6,firstpublished1916.Thepoeticgeographyisfamiliar,fromtheIndustotheAlps.Buthere,inprimevaltimes,thefirsteaglelooksdownonaFlood,anark,hungryanimals.AfterthefirstpassageHölderlinleftaspaceandinitwrotetheoneword‘Reh’[Deer],tobedevelopedlater.Thepoemhasthesimplicityof language, theclarityofvision, thematter-of-fact self-assurance,of truthsworth dwelling on. The fundamental questions: Where shall we stay? Where is ournourishment? The named places are all resonant. UnderMount Haemus, for example, inThrace, Orpheus was born. The shadow of Mount Athos is said to reach the island ofLemnos,eighty-sevenmilestotheeast,whenthesunsetsatthesolstice.AndonthatislandPhilocteteswasmaroonedbyhiscomradesfortenyears,inagonywithaputridfoot.

Nearestandbest, thirdversion [DasNächsteBeste;2,237]:Unfinished,workedon–probably–1802-05;firstpublicationsofpartsofit:1916andinthe1920s.AswithseveralofthedraftsintheHomburgFolioheft,editorshavejudgedforthemselveswhichpiecesofwriting should be brought together in any one poem. This version has themerit of beinglargelystructuredbythelovelydevelopingimageofthemigratingstarlings.Followingthat,Hölderlin,inaslightlylaboriousfashion,construesthelineofsomeSouthGermanhillsashehadalready,muchmorepersuasively,thecoursesofthegreatrivers.ThepoemisalivewithsharpmemoriesofplacesinFrance.

Tinian[Tinian;2,240]:TinianisaPacificislandthatHölderlinfirstthoughtofasapoeticsubject in 1797. He knew of it from his reading of George Anson’sVoyage around theWorldintheYears1740-44(published1748,German1749).Inthispoem–writtenin1803or later, first published in 1916 –Hölderlin again defines our age as one ofwandering.

(Chariot-racingfortheGreeks,theCircusfortheRomans,wanderinginthewildernessforus.)Thegreatvoyagesofdiscovery,amongthemAnson’s,areanexample.Tinian’shistorysince the late seventeenth century is largely atrocious. The arrrangement of some of thepoem’slinesismyown.

‘Andtofeelthelives…’[UndmitzufühlendasLeben…;2,249]:Writtenbefore1806,firstpublished1920. Intenseandvivid images(in life that is ‘hummingwithheat’)butnoeasily discernible poetic argument. Perhaps the whole fragment seeks to carry out theinjunctionofitsopeningwords:‘tofeelthelivesof…’.

‘Wherewebegan…’[VomAbgrundnemlich…;2,250]:Probablywrittenbefore1806,not published entirely until 1951.The fragment, verydifficult tomakewhole senseof, isremarkable for thebrillianceand sharpnessof itsmemories,particularly thoseofFrance;andforitscallingFrankfurt,whereSusetteGontardlived,thenaveloftheearth(thatbeingPindar’s term for Delphi). ‘Gratitude’ [Dankbarkeit] is a lovely word for the memory-feelingofaplace.Thepoemisthegiftinreturn.

…theVatican…[…derVatikan…;2,252]:Firstpublished1920.Asinmostoftheselatefragmentstherearemarkersofaproceedingargument:‘hereweare’–‘and’–‘butwhen’–‘because’–‘andsince’–‘andmeanwhile’–‘but’…Inlieuofanyargument,however,wereadvividimages,which,thoughcominginasequence,linebyline,actuallyjostleinasortof simultaneity. ThusCatholicRome,CatholicWestphalia,with theAlps and the pilgrimroutes between them;WilhelmHeinse (‘my honestmaster’) andwith him, as always, theghost of Susette Gontard; Julius Caesar, John the Baptist, Apollo, Patmos (John of theApocalypse), Hellas under Turkish occupation, confusion of tongues, owls in the ruinedcities…Abundanceorchaos,birthpangsorendgame?Itisakaleidoscopethatwon’tholdstill because our thinking and feeling continually make different connections. But thefragmentendsinanaccomplishedvisionofpeace,harmony,proportion,shiningbeauty.

Greece,firstversion[Griechenland;2,254]:Thethreephasesofworkonthisdraftofapoemwerefirstpublishedinthe1920s.Muchof thefirstsketchderivesfromtheopeninghalf-line:‘Waysofthetraveller!’OneleadssouthviaAvignonandovertheGotthardasfarasVirgil’sgraveatPosillipooutsideNaples.There thepoet-travellerhas reachedMagnaGraecia, if not yet Greece itself. Again, as in ‘…theVatican…’, a place has a personalcharge. Virgil’s tomb was enthusiastically described by Heinse in hisArdinghello. Veryabruptly then thepoemshiftsbacknorth, toWindsor,London, theChannel,andopens intooneofthoseluminousautonomousimagessofrequentinlateHölderlin:‘…thelevelocean,glowing’.

Greece,ll.13-21ofthesecondversion[2,256]and210.Greece,thirdversion[2,257]:Intheseconddraft,andmoreinthethirdwhichHölderlinwroteoverit,thereisamêléeofconflictingthoughtsandimages,ofconfusion,threatofdissolution,terror,remotenessortoomuch nearness of God, efforts to hold on in homely, earthly circumstances. So the draft

finishesinavicinitythatfeelsclose,familiarandsafe–butstillwiththelureoftheopenroad,sothatwemightrejointhefirstdraftandsetoffagainsouth,overtheAlps,inamongthememorialsoftheall-tooglamorousAncientWorld.

‘Severedandatadistancenow…’[WennausderFerne…;2,262]:Probablywrittenafter 1806, first published 1921. The poem, unfinished, is associated with very lateexpansions of the novelHyperion and may be thought of as being spoken by Diotima,though,ofcourse,bothshe,theheroineofthenovel,andhercounterpartinreallife,SusetteGontard,haddied.

‘I have enjoyed…’ [Das Angenehme dieserWelt; 2, 267]: Written before 1811, firstpublishedinGustavSchwab’sCollectedWorksofHölderlin1846.Thefirsttranscriptionofthepoemhas‘July’inl.4;Schwabhas‘June’.

Whenoutofheaven…[WennausdemHimmel…;2,269]:Written in theearly1820s,firstpublished1858.Pleasureinimagesofthenaturalworldisverycharacteristicoftheselatepoems.

Spring (‘Whennew joyquickens…’) [DerFrühling (WennaufGefilden…);2, 272]:Stillinclassicalmetre,thereforeprobablynotverylate.Firstpublished1846.

AHappyLife [Das fröhlicheLeben;2, 274]: SaidbySchwab to be ‘much earlier than1841’.Firstpublished1846.

TheWalk[DerSpaziergang;2,276]:Firstpublished1846.

TheChurchyard [DerKirchhof;2,277]:Schwabagain: ‘muchearlier than1841’.Firstpublished1846.

Notalldays…[NichtalleTage…;2,280]:Around1830,firstpublished1923.Thepoemharksback,initsformtoo.Hölderlin’slandlord,thecarpenterErnstZimmer,copiedoutthepoeminaletterandcommented:‘TherecanbenodoubtthatHölddoessometimesfeelhiscondition.Afewyearsagohewrotethefollowinglinesabouthimself.’

Spring(‘Howblessedtosee…’) [DerFrühling (Wie seelig ists…;2,283)]:Not laterthan1832,firstpublished1938.

Autumn(‘Thestoriesthatareleavingearth…’)[DerHerbst(DieSagen,diederErdesich entfernen …); 2, 284]: Written, according to Schwab, 16 September 1837. Firstpublished1846.

Spring(‘Thenewdaycomes…’) [DerFrühling (EskommtderneueTag…);2,286]:First published 1909.Hölderlin in the towerwould often sign his poems thus and add afictitiousdate.

View(‘Touswithimages…’)[Aussicht(Deroff’neTagistMenschenhell…);2,287]:

Firstpublished1870.

‘Inalovelyblue…’[InlieblicherBläue…;2,372]:InTübingen,1822-4,Hölderlinwasmuch visited by a young man called Wilhelm Waiblinger. Waiblinger wrote a novel,Phaëthon,published1823,inwhich,todepicthishero,amadpoet,heusedHölderlin’slifeandwritings.He gives ‘In a lovely blue…’which he got from the Zimmer family, as anexampleofhishero’swork.

TRANSLATIONSFROMTHEGREEK

ChorusfromSophocles’OedipusatColonus(5,32):Lines668-94;translated1796,firstpublished1911.HereHölderlinkeepsfarlessclosetotheword-orderandlineationoftheGreektextthaninthefollowingpassagefromEuripides.

From Euripides’ Bacchae (5, 41): Lines 1-24; translated, autumn 1799, with strictadherence to word-order, lineation andmetre; first published 1913. Themanuscript is asinglesheetofpaperhavingononesidell.1-22ofthetranslationandontheotherll.23-24–immediatelybelowwhichHölderlindraftedthepoem‘Aswhenonaholiday…’(p.113),hisfirstandonlyattempttowriteametricallystrictPindarichymnanddrawingonthemythofSemeleandDionysus.

ChorusfromSophocles’Antigone (5,42):Lines332-52;probably1799, firstpublished1911.Compare this versionwith that in theSophocles translations published in 1804 (p.332).

FromSophocles’OedipusatColonus(5,275):Lines14-19,38-59;1803,firstpublished1913.Hölderlin translated these lines, and the threeextracts fromAjax that follow, in thesame close fashion as hisAntigone and hisOedipus Rex. It is likely that he intended totranslateallsevenofSophocles’extantplays.

ThreeextractsfromSophocles’Ajax(5,277):Translated1803;firstpublished1913. 1.Ajaxwentmadwithragewhen thearmsofdeadAchilleswereawardedasprize toOdysseusandnottohim.Inhismadness,andinthedark,hefelluponaflockofsheepandcattle,thinkingtheyweretheGreekswhohadslightedhim.Inthisfirstextract,watchedbyhiswifeTecmessa,hehascometohissensesandgrievesoverhisdisgrace.2.AjaxwasfromSalamis.HereachorusofthemenwhocamewithhimtoTroylamenttheharmhehasdone. 3. The Chorus, deceived by a new reasonableness in Ajax’s manner, jump to theconclusionthatallwillbewell.Infact,hehasdecidedtokillhimself.

PindarFragments(5,281):Written,mostlikely,in1803.‘TheSanctuaries’and‘TheLife-Giver’werefirstpublishedin1910,theothersin1916.Eachoftheninetextsconsistsofafragment of Pindar’s verse, closely translated into Hölderlin’s own late language, and a

passage of prose set below it as though to explain and comment. But that comfortingrelationship– text+ exegesis – is beliedby thepractice.Out of the fragmentof a poem,elusive in its peculiar beauty, Hölderlin derived a poetic prose which itself reads liketranslationfromastrangeelsewhereanditselfseemstocallforexegesis.Thewholesenseof each piece is generated in the interplay of ancient text and modern reading. Themanuscriptisabeautifulfaircopy.Theseninetextsandthenine‘NightSongs’(pp.73-82),whichwere composed or at least revised for publication in the sameyear, havemuch incommon.

‘Thatwildoceancreature’(in‘Wisdom’sinfidelities’)istheoctopus,goodatcamouflage.But much of the sense of these fragments is generated by and contained in ‘collision’,‘contraries’, ‘living relations’. Thatworkingmix is embodied in theCentaurs, horse andhuman,savagebeastsandteachersofthearts,creatureswhocrossover,toandfro.Thetextsresist any exegesis which would allow us to get out of them, have done with them,commodify them for particular ends. The one abstractable teaching is that of ‘thoroughinterplay’.

OEDIPUSTHEKING

‘thesongstress’:TheSphinx,whomOedipusdestroyedbyansweringherriddle.

CHORUS:TheChorus,madeanxiousby themessagebrought fromDelphi, callonAthene,Artemis,Apolloand,finally,ZeusandDionysusalso,todefendthecityagainstAres,hereunderstoodasabringeroftheplague.

‘theevening/God’:ThismustbeHades,intowhosekingdomthedeadareflocking.

‘Zeus’sson’:Apollo;‘thewisebirdscrier’:Tiresias.‘Polybus’sson’:Oedipus(astheystillbelieve).TheChorusimaginetheguiltymanpursuedbydivinejustice.TheyexpresstheirworriesbutstillputtheirtrustinOedipus.

‘thewingedmaid’:TheSphinx.

‘thesign-diviner’:Tiresias.

‘But if that stranger…’: The worst Oedipus has grasped so far is that he may be themurdererofLaius(andsotheobjectofhisowncurse),butnotthatLaiusishisfather.

CHORUS: The Chorus reflect on the nature of divine laws, on the dangers of impiety,especiallyin thegreat,andpraythat thetruthwillberevealedandthehonourof thegodsandtheiroraclestherebyrestored.

‘theearth’s/Untouchablenavel’:Delphi.

CHORUS:TheChorus,withaquitegroundlessoptimism,lookforwardtomorerevelationsandassociateoneorotheroftheimmortalswithOedipus’birth.‘Cyllene’s/King’:Hermes.

‘threewholemoons’:ThetextHölderlinusediscorrupthere.Hetranslatesitcorrectly,butthe real sense is that the herdsman served threewhole seasons of sixmonths each, fromspringtoautumn.

CHORUS:Nowfacing the facts theChorusbewail theprecariousnessofhumanhappiness,andthefateofOedipusinparticular,inwhichtheyfeelpersonallyinvolved.‘theprophesyingvirgin’:TheSphinx.

‘childless’: So Jocasta had thought herself, having agreed to themurder of her one childOedipus.‘twohusbandsmadeofone’:OfherhusbandLaiusshemadeasecondhusband,Oedipus.

‘theyaremen’:EteoclesandPolynices.‘mytroubledgirls’:AntigoneandIsmene.

‘μηχανη’:Mechanics,calculableprocedures.‘moyen’:Frenchformeans,medium.

‘nefas’:Latin,heremeaningespeciallythatwhichmustnotbeuttered.

‘Τηςφυσεωςγραμματευςηντονκαλαμοναποβρεχωνευνουν’:AnabbreviatedandslightlyalteredquotationfromtheSudas,therereferringtoAristotle.Here,appliedtothetragedian,itsmeaningis:HewasthescribeofNature,dippinginhiswell-intentionedpen.

ANTIGONE

‘theEarth’sFather’:Zeus.AnexampleofHölderlin’s‘interpretative’modeoftranslationinAntigone.Seehisownnotes,pp.368and369.‘theGeneral’:Creon.‘theArgivearmy’:ThearmyledbyPolynicesfromArgosagainstThebes.

CHORUS:TheChorusreviewthefightingwhichhasjustended,andgivethankstothegodsforthesuccessfuldefenceofThebes.

‘theWhite Shield’: A singular title for all the forces of Argos. The city’s name wasassociatedwiththewordargos,whichmeansbrightorgleaming,hereasitmightbeoftheirshields.‘thesevenmouths’:ThesevengatesofThebes.

‘thebattlewraith’:Ares.

‘theabominable…thatpair’:EteoclesandPolynices.‘Creon,king’:CreonbecomeskingnowafterthedeathsofOedipus’twosons.

‘LordoftheEarth’:Zeus.

CHORUS: The Chorus reflect on the powers, achievements, limitations and errors ofhumankind. Hölderlin did a version of these famous strophes in 1799 (see p. 233).Comparisonwiththeversionhereshowshowradicalhistranslatinghadbecome.

CHORUS:TheChoruslamenttheruinofthehouseofLabdacusand,moregenerally,thelotofhumansliabletofitsofmadnessandatthemercyofthegods.

CHORUS:TheChorusreflectonthepoweroflove,perhapsconstruingHaemon’soppositiontohisfatherasaneffectofhisloveforAntigone.Sheherselfthengrievesthatshewilldieunmarried.

CHORUS: The Chorus offer Antigone the cold comfort of dying famously. She associatesherselfwithNiobe.Shewillbeentombedinrock,Niobewasturnedtostone.

‘alight…angrily,pityingly’:TheGreektexthasPersephone,agoddessoftheunderworldand herself forcibly married to Acheron. Hölderlin’s interpretative translation(zornigmitleidig…einLicht)deriveschieflyfromhisassociatingthefirstpartofhernamewithpertho,meaning‘todestroy’,andthelatterpartwithphaos,meaning‘light’.

CHORUS:TheChorusevokethreefiguresfromthemyths:Danaë,imprisonedbyherfatherinatower;Lycurgus,drivenmad(sothathekilledhischildren)andimprisonedinacavebyDionysus whose worship he had resisted; the two sons of Phineus, blinded by theirstepmother(‘thewildwife’)andjoiningtheirpaintothatoftheirrepudiatedandimprisonedmother,Cleopatra, daughter of theNorthWind. The general relevance of these stories toAntigone’sisclearandalmostbanal:thereisnoescapingFate;specifically,theconnectionsareatoncecruellerandlesscertain.‘theFatherofTime’:Zeus.

‘thebutchergod’:Ares,inwhosehometerritorythesethingshappened.

‘God’s/Owncrones’:TheFuries.

Chorus:TheChorus sing an optimistic hymn toDionysus, praying that hewill come andpurifyThebes,thecityofhismotherSemele.‘Earth’sfather’:Zeus.‘thedragon’:KilledbyCadmusatthefoundingofThebes.Cocytus:TheGreektexthasCorycia,whichisacaveonParnassus.Hölderlin’sCocytus,ariver of the underworld, is an error; but in his poem ‘Bread and Wine’ he alludes toDionysus’descentintoHadestobringoutSemele,soperhapsthatconnectionsurfacedandmisledhimwhenhewastranslating.

‘the mother the lightning struck’: Semele, killed when Zeus appeared to her in thelightning.

InthissectionofhisNotes,Hölderlingivesaseriesofcommentariesonquotationsfromtheplay.TheprocedureisstrikinglysimilartothatinhisPindarFragments,composedat thesame time.AGreek text, inhisown radical translation, is followedbyan exegesis itselfinvitingexegesis.Seep.401.

Hereandonp.369Hölderlinjustifieshisowninterpretativetranslation.Giventheshiftinthe times, fromGreek toourown (whichhecallsHesperian), it is, he says,necessary toalterthetextsintoalanguagewewillbetterunderstand.

‘aorgic’: In Hölderlin’s usage the word means a condition or forces antithetical andinimical toconsciousandindividualisedhumanlife.Loosesynonymsmightbe‘anarchic’,‘formless’,‘unconscious’.‘managedforZeusthecomingofthestreamsofgold’:ThiswouldbeclosertotheGreekandreferstotheformZeusassumedinordertoimpregnateDanaë.

‘antitheos’:TheGreekwordasanadjectivemeans‘equaltoorhostiletothegods’;asanounitmaymean‘hostiledeity’;Hölderlin’smeaningseemsrathertobe‘God’sopponent’.

‘factive’:Hölderlin’swordisfaktischandheseemstomeanbyit‘causingsomethingtobeortohappen’.

‘Forusetc’:AsofteninlettersandpoemsofthisperiodHölderlinseekstodistinguishourmodernconditionsfromthoseoftheGreeks.

‘δυσμορον’:Thewordactuallymeansill-fated.

‘TheplotinAntigoneetc’:HereHölderlinmustbethinkingofhisowntimes,andof thetotalreversalcausedbytheFrenchRevolutionandin1803stillunderway.

‘προφανηθιθεος’:Literally,‘Appear,God’.FromthelaststropheofthechorusthatopensActV,pp.359-60.

‘The rational form here developing etc’: Again, Hölderlin seems to be viewing theconflictbetweenCreonandAntigoneinthelightofhisowntimes.

GLOSSARY

Abae,cityinPhocishavinganoracleofApolloevenolderthanthatatDelphi.Acheron,oneoftheriversofHades.Achilles,aGreekhero,sonofPeleusandThetis,hediedyoungatTroy.Aeacides,familyofAeacus,amongwhomarePeleus,AchillesandAjax.Agora,themarketplaceandciviccentreofancientAthens.Ajax,aGreekhero,foughtbravelyatTroy.Inaboutofmadnesshedisgracedhimselfandcommittedsuicideafterwards.Alcaeus,lyricpoetofLesbos,bornc.620BC,contemporaryandcountrymanofSappho.Alpheus,riverinElis,flowingpastOlympia.Amphion,aformerkingofThebesandthehusbandofNiobe.Amphitrite,wifeofPoseidon,godofthesea.Anacreon,lyricpoet,bornc.570BCinTeos,Ionia.Antigone,adaughterofOedipusandJocasta.Aphrodite,goddessoflove,daughterofZeus.Apollo,godoflight,poetry,prophecy.Arabia,itscoastalpartswereknownasArabiafelix(happy,fortunate).Arcturus,brighteststarintheconstellationBoötes,itsappearancemarkingthebeginningofautumn.Ares,godofwar.Argos,chiefcityofArgolisinthePeloponnese,fromwhichtheSevencameagainstThebes.Artemis,goddessofthehuntandofchildbirth,sisterofApollo.Aspasia,born470BCinMiletus,Ionia,culturedandbeautifulwoman,theloverofPericles,herhouseinAthensbecamearenownedintellectualcentre.Athene,goddessofwisdom,protectorofcities,worshippedinThebes.Atreus, fatherofAgamemnonandMenelaus.ThewholeHouseofAtreus,beginningwithTantalus,werecurseddownthegenerations.Attica,theregionsurroundingAthens.

Bacchus=Dionysus.Bactra, capital of Bactria, powerful trading centre in the Persian Empire, roughlyequivalenttomodernAfghanistan.Boreas,thenorthwind.Bosporus,straitsjoiningtheBlackSeaandtheSeaofMarmora.

Briseis, the female captive allotted toAchilles and taken fromhim byAgammenon,withdireconsequencesfortheGreeksatTroy.

Cadmus,founderofThebes.Calauria, the ancient name of Poros, an island in the Saronic Gulf, home of Diotima inHölderlin’snovelHyperion.Capitol, smallest but most celebrated of the Seven Hills of Rome, the city’s ancientreligiousandpoliticalcentre.Castalia,aspringunderParnassus,atDelphi,sacredtotheMuses.Cayster, a river of Asia Minor rising on Mount Tmolus and entering the Aegean nearEphesus.Centaur,amythicbeast,halfhuman,halfhorse.Cephissus,ariverflowingtothewestofAthens,nearCol-onus.Cerberus,monstrousthree-headeddogwhoguardsthegatesoftheUnderworldtopreventthedeadfromleaving.Chaeronea,inBoetia,wherePhilipofMacedondefeatedtheThebansandAtheniansin338BC.Chariclo,wifeofChiron.Charites,anothernamefortheGraces.Chios,anislandnearLesbos,closetothecoastofAsiaMinor,famousformasticandwine.Chiron,centaur,tutorofmanyGreekheroes,amongthemAchilles,JasonandPeleus.Cithaeron, mountain range between Attica and Boeotia, sacred to Dionysus and whereOedipuswasexposed.Cnossian, afterCnossos, town inCrete famous for its labyrinth and festivals of dance inhonourofAriadne,wifeofDionysus.Cocytus,oneoftheriversoftheunderworld.Colchis, on the east coast of the Black Sea, where the Argonauts went after the GoldenFleece.Colonus, outside Athens, where Oedipus came when he was banished from Thebes. ItshorsesandnaturalbeautiesarecelebratedbySophocleswhowasbornthere.Corinth,cityontheIsthmusofCorinth,whereOedipusgrewup.Creon,brotherofJocasta,rulerofThebesafterthedeathsofPolynicesandEteocles.Cyclops, a raceof single-eyedgiants,oneofwhom,Polyphemus,Odysseusdeceivedandblinded(Odyssey,Book9).Theykeptsheepandgoats.Cyllene,mountaininArcadia,birthplaceofHermesandahomeofPan.

Danaë,daughterofAcrisius,imprisonedinatowerbyhimandtherevisitedbyZeusintheformofashowerofgold.

Daulia,cityinPhocis.Delian, an epithet ofApollowhowith his sisterArtemiswas born onDelos, one of theCyclades.Delphic=ofDelphi,ontheslopesofParnassus,famousfortheoraclethereandtheworshipofApolloandknownasthenaveloftheearth.Diana=Artemis.Dionysus,godofwineandintoxication,closelyassociatedwithThebesthroughhismotherSemele,alsowithMountCithaeronandtheMysteriesatEleusis.Dioscuri, the twins Castor and Pollux, sons of Leda, the first fathered by a mortal,Tyndareus, the second by Zeus.WhenCastorwas killed, Zeus transformed them into theconstellationofGemini.Diotima,theseerorpriestesswho,Socratessays,taughthimthephilosophyoflove.Dirce,anymph,adevoteeofDionysus,whogavehernametoastreamnearThebes.Dodona, inEpirus, north-westernGreece,whereZeus spoke through thewind in the oaktree.Doris, smallmountainous region ofNorthernGreece, traditional homeland of theDorianGreeks.Dryas,fatherofKingLycurgus.

Ecbatana,theancientcapitalofMedia,thesummerresidenceofthePersiankings.Edonians,apeopleofThrace.Eleusis,nearAthens,famousfortheMysteriesinwhichseasonalrebirthwascelebrated.Eleutherae,Mnemosyne’stown,onMountCithaeron.Elis, a region in the western Peloponnese. Near the town of that name, at Olympia, theGameswereheld.Elysium, a place for the afterlife of the blessed, imagined as fields, a plain or islands,somewherewesterly.Enodia,thewordmeans‘bytheroad’andisaeuphemisticnameforHecate,agoddessoftheunderworld.Ephesus,ancientcityatthemouthoftheCaysterinAsiaMinor,associatedparticularlywiththeworshipofArtemis.InearlyChristiantimesitbecameoneoftheSevenChurches.Erebus,aprimordialgodofdarkness,ortheUnderworlditself.Erechtheus,fabulous,perhapsdivine,founderandkingofAthens.Eteocles,theeldersonofOedipusandJocasta.Etruria, a regionofCentral Italywhosepeople spreadout fromwhat is nowTuscany tomakeagreatcivilisationlongbeforethatofRome.Eumenides, the Furies, three female deities (their name means ‘the kindly ones’) whopunishwithoutmercyalltransgressionsofprimordiallaws.

Eurydice,inAntigonesheisthewifeofCreon.Evius,anameforDionysus,afterthecult-cry‘evoi!’.

Furies=Eumenides.

Ganymede, a herdsboyonMount Ida, hewas carriedoff byZeus’ eagle to be thegods’cupbeareronOlympus.

Hades,theunderworldandthegodofit.Haemon,sonofCreonandEurydice,betrothedtoAntigone.Haemus,amountaininThracewherewritingsofOrpheusweresaidtohavebeenfoundandatempleandcollegebuiltinhishonour.Helicon,mountainwestofThebes,sacredtotheMuses.Helios,thesungod.Hephaestus,godoffireandofworkthatusesit.Heracles(orHercules),anotableGreekhero,performeroftheTwelveLabours,hevisitedthecentaurChiron,withfatefulconsequences.Hercules,Pillarsof,StraitsofGibraltar.Hermes,godofwaysandmeans,messengerofthegods.Hesperides,guardiansofaparadisegardenontheedgeoftheworld.Hestia,Greekgoddessofthehearthanddomesticlife.Hymen,agodpresidingovermarriage.

Icarus,hisfatherDaedalusmadehimapairofwings,butheflewtooclosetothesun,thewaxinthemmelted,andhefellintotheseaneartheislandofIcaria,notfarfromSamos.Ida,amountainnearTroy.Ilissus,ariverofAthens,onthesouthsideofthecity.Ilium,anothernameforTroy.Indus, a great river flowing throughChina, India and Pakistan.Dionysus is said to havereacheditonhisprogressthroughAsia,teachingthepeoplesthecultivationofthevine,andtohavereturnedfromthereintoGreece,establishinghiscult.Ionia,thecoastofAsiaMinor,locusofthebeginningsofHellas.Homerwasthoughttohavebeenbornthereandseveralveryeminentpoetsandphilosopherscertainlywere.Ismene,Antigone’ssister.Ismenus, a stream flowing throughThebes, therewas temple by it inwhich the ashes ofsacrificeswereusedfordivination.Ister,theDanube,insomeaccountsespeciallyitslowerreaches.Isthmus=theCorinthianIsthmus.

Jason,robbedofhisbirthrightbyhisunclePelias,wasfalselypromisedheshouldhaveitbackagainifhewouldfirstfetchtheGoldenFleecefromColchis.Jocasta,daughterofMenoeceus,wifeofLaius,motherthenwifeofOedipus.Jupiter=Zeus.

Kos,oneoftheDodecanese,Peleuswasshipwreckedanddiedthere.

Labdacus,thefatherofLaius.Laius,akingofThebes,firsthusbandofJocasta,fatherofOedipus.Lethe,oneoftheriversoftheUnderworld,drinkingfromitbroughtforgetfulness.Loxias,anameforApollo.Lycian=ofLyciainsouthernAsiaMinor,ApolloandArtemiswereworshippedthere.Lycurgus,akingoftheEdonians,drivenmadbyDionysusforopposingtheintroductionofhiscult.Lydia,anancientandpowerfulkingdomofWesternAsiaMinor,inthesixthcenturyBCtakenbythePersiansandinthesecondbytheRomans.

Maeander,riverofAsiaMinornotableforitswindings,enterstheseabelowMiletus.Maenads,frenziedwomen,followersofDionysus.Marathon,wheretheAtheniansdefeatedthePersiansin490BC.ThesoldierPheidippidesranthe26milesintothecitywiththegoodnews.Mars=Ares.Medes,anancientpeoplewhoseterritory(inIranandMesopotamia)wasannexedintothePersianempirein550BC.Megareus,sonofCreonandEurydice,hesacrificedhimselfforthegoodofThebes.Menoeceus,fatherofCreonandJocasta.Merope,wifeofPolybus,Oedipus’foster-motherinCorinth.Messogis, amountain inAsiaMinor,betweenSardesandEphesus, in a regionknownasAsis.Mnemosyne,GoddessofMemory,motheroftheNineMuses.Morea,The:thenameforthePeloponneseinMedievalandEarlyModerntimes.Muses,theninedaughtersofMnemosyne,eachofwhomwastheproctectressofoneoftheartsorsciences.

Naxian=ofNaxos,oneoftheCyclades,animportantsiteoftheworshipofDionysus.Nemesis,GoddessofRetribution.

Nile,accordingtoOvid(Metamorphoses)theNilefledwhenPhaethoncrashedandsettheworldonfire.Niobe,thewifeofAmphion,anearlykingofThebes,whensheboastedthatshehadmorechildren than Leto theywere all killed by Leto’s children, Apollo andArtemis, and sheherselfinhergriefwasturnedtostone.Nysa/Nysian, a nymph, and a mountain of the same name (possibly near Helicon), bothassociatedwiththeupbringingofDionysus.

Oceanus, a primordial god, the ocean stream, the vast ever-flowing body of water thatencirclestheearth.Oedipus,sonofLaiusandJocasta,hisnamemeans‘swell-foot’.Oeta,amountaininCentralGreeceonwhichHeraclesimmolatedhimself.Belowit,totheeast, is Thermopylae where in 480 BC the Spartans held out against but were finallyslaughteredbythePersians.Olympia,inElis,siteoftheOlympicGames.Olympieum,theTempleofOlympianZeusinAthens.Olympus,inThessaly,thehighestmountaininGreece,seatofthegods.Orcus,aLatinnamefortheUnderworld.Ossa,amountain inThessaly.Thegiantbrothers, theAloadae, triedtostormOlympusbypilingMountOssaonMountPelion.

Pactolus,agold-andelectrum-bearingriver,risingonMountTmolus.Pallas=PallasAthene.Palmyra, a city in theSyrian desert, destroyed by theRomans in 273AD. Its ruinswererediscoveredbyRobertWoodandJamesDawkinsin1751.Pan,Arcadiangodoftheherdsandfertility.Parcae,theFates.Parnassus,mountainbehindDelphi,sacredtotheMuses,alsotoApolloandDionysus.Patmos,islandjustoffthecoastofAsiaMinor,southofSamos.StJohnwrotetheBookofRevelationthere.Patroclus,whilstAchillessulkedPatroclusfoughtanddiedwearinghisarmour.Peleus,husbandofthesea-goddessThetis,fatherofAchilles.Pelias,havingusurpedhisbrother’skingdom(Iolcus,nearmodernVolos)hewithhelditthenfromJason,hisnephew.Pentelicus,amountaintothenorth-eastofAthensfamousforitsmarblequarries.Persia,vastempireintheEast,competingandwarringwiththeGreeks,theysackedAthensin480BC.

Phaethon,sonofHelios,hepersuadedhisfathertolethimdrivethechariotoftheSun,butcouldn’tcontrolit,wentoffcourse,settheearthonfire,andZeusputanendtotheadventurewithathunderbolt.Phasis,ariverflowingfromtheCaucasusintotheBlackSea.Phidias,Atheniansculptor,painterandarchitect(c.480-430BC).Philoctetes, famous archer, inheritor of the bow and arrows ofHeracles.On hisway toTroyhewasbittenbyasnakeandthewoundstanksomuchhiscomradesmaroonedhimontheislandofLemnos.Phineus,akingofSalmydessus,hissonswereblindedbytheirstepmotherand–somesay–entombedbyherandlefttostarve.Phylura,motherofChiron.Phocis,theregionaroundDelphi.Phoebus=PhoebusApollo.Phrygian=ofPhrygia,districtofAsiaMinor,epithetofNiobe,whowasbornthere.Pluto=Hades.Polybus,kingofCorinth,Oedipus’foster-father.Polydorus,sonofCadmusandfatherofLabdacus.Polynices,brotherofEteocles.Pontus,apre-Olympiansea-god,oroftenjusttheseaitself.Poseidon,son(likeZeus)ofCronusandRhea,godofthesea.Prometheus,aTitan,hestolefirefromthegodsandgaveittomankind.Prytaneum,themagistrates’hallinAthens.Pythagoras,IonianGreekphilosopherandmathematician(c.570-495BC).Pytho,earliernameofDelphi,whereApollokilledthePython.

Salamis,Ajax’sbirthplace.OffSalamistheAtheniansdefeatedthePersiansin480BC.Salmydessus,cityofThraceontheBlackSea.Sardes,capitalofLydiainAsiaMinoronthegold-andelectrum-bearingriverPactolus.Scamander,oneoftheriversofTroy.Semele,daughterofCadmus,lovedbyZeus,shewasconsumedinfirewhen,atherrequest,herevealedhimselfasagod.Dionysuswasbornoutoftheflames.Sipylus,mountainnearSmyrnainAsiaMinor.Smyrna,ancientGreeksettlementontheAegeancoastofAsiaMinor,theTurkishIzmir.Sounion,thesouthernmostheadlandoftheAtticapeninsula,theTempleofPoseidononitisalandmarkforsailors.Sparta, ancient city-state in the Peloponnese, the dominantmilitary land-power, rival ofAthens.

Sphinx,hybridcreatureterrorisingThebesuntilOedipusansweredherriddlewhichcausedhertokillherself.Stoa, inGreekcities,usuallyaround theagora, a coveredwalkwayorportico forpublicuse.TheStoicstooktheirnamefromthebuilding.Styx,theriverthatisthefrontierbetweenEarthandtheUnderworld.

Tantalus,famousforhistorment,hewasakingofLydiaandthefatherofNiobe.Tartarus,anabyss inHadesusedasadungeon(theTitansare in there, forexample)andsaidtobeasfarbelowHadesasheavenisaboveit.Taurus, a great chain of mountains extending down the Aegean coast and then, roughlyoppositeRhodes,bearingawayeastwards.Taygetus,themountainaboveSparta.Tecmessa,wifeofAjax.Tempe,abeautifulvalleyinThessalybetweenMountsOlympusandOssa.Tenos,oneoftheNorthernCyclades.Thebes, capital ofBoeotia, settingofSophocles’Oedipus theKingandAntigone and ofEuripides’Bacchae,homeofTiresias,birthplaceofDionysuswhosemotherwasSemele,daughterofCadmus,KingofThebes.Themis, the Titan goddess of divine law and order, the traditional rules of conduct firstestablishedbythegods.Thermopylae:seeOeta.Thetis,asea-goddess,motherofAchilles.Thracian=ofThrace,intheextremenorth-eastofGreece.Thyades,liketheMaenads,femalefollowersofDionysus.Tiresias,blindseerofThebes,fromCadmus’timeintoCreon’s.Titans,twelveprimevaldeities,thechildren–sixsonsandsixdaughters–ofUranusandGaia.Tmolus, amountainbetweenancientPhiladelphia (modernAlaşehir) andSardes (modernSart).Tyre,ancientPhoeniciancityinLebanon,alwaysamajorportandcentreoftrade.

Vulcan=Hephaestus.

Xanthus,acityofancientLyciaonthesiteofmodernKinikintheprovinceofAntalya.

Zeus,chiefoftheGreekgods.

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friedrich hÖlderlin...friedrich hÖlderlin selected poetry translated by david constantine poetry...

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