by Zbigniew Herbert
Go where those others have gone to the tenebrous endfor the golden fleece of nothingness your final reward go upright among those on their kneesamong those with their backs turned those toppled into dust you survived not in order to liveyou have little time you must bear witness be courageous when reason deceives be courageousin the final reckoning that alone is what counts and let your powerless Anger be like the seaeach time your hear the voice of those degraded and beaten let you sister Scorn never leave youfor informers executioners cowards – they shall winthey will go to your funeral and relieved throw in some earththe woodborer will write your smoothed-over life story and do not forgive truly it is not in your powerto forgive on behalf of those who were betrayed at dawn beware however of wanton prideand watch your clown-like face in the mirrorkeep repeating: I was called – weren't there better ones than I beware of dryness of heart love the morning springthe bird whose name you don’t know the winter oaklight on a wall the sky’s splendorthey don't need your warm breaththey are there to say: no one will console you keep watch – when light on mountain peaks gives a sign – arise and goas long as blood turns your dark star in the breast repeat humanity’s old legends fables and incantationsbecause this is how you will attain the good you will not attainrepeat lofty words repeat them stubbornlylike those who crossing the desert perished in the sand and they will reward you with what they have at handwith lashes of laughter with murder on a garbage heap go because thus only will you be received into the company of cold skullsinto the company of your ancestors: Gilgamesh Hector Rolandthe defenders of a limitless kingdom and a city of ashes Be faithful Go
1974
Translated from the Polishby Piotr Malysz
Go where those others have gone to the tenebrous endfor the golden fleece of nothingness your final reward go upright among those on their kneesamong those with their backs turned those toppled into dust you survived not in order to liveyou have little time you must bear witness be courageous when reason deceives be courageousin the final reckoning that alone is what counts and let your powerless Anger be like the seaeach time your hear the voice of those degraded and beaten let you sister Scorn never leave youfor informers executioners cowards – they shall winthey will go to your funeral and relieved throw in some earththe woodborer will write your smoothed-over life story and do not forgive truly it is not in your powerto forgive on behalf of those who were betrayed at dawn beware however of wanton prideand watch your clown-like face in the mirrorkeep repeating: I was called – weren't there better ones than I beware of dryness of heart love the morning springthe bird whose name you don’t know the winter oaklight on a wall the sky’s splendorthey don't need your warm breaththey are there to say: no one will console you keep watch – when light on mountain peaks gives a sign – arise and goas long as blood turns your dark star in the breast repeat humanity’s old legends fables and incantationsbecause this is how you will attain the good you will not attainrepeat lofty words repeat them stubbornlylike those who crossing the desert perished in the sand and they will reward you with what they have at handwith lashes of laughter with murder on a garbage heap go because thus only will you be received into the company of cold skullsinto the company of your ancestors: Gilgamesh Hector Rolandthe defenders of a limitless kingdom and a city of ashes Be faithful Go
1974
Translated from the Polishby Piotr Malysz