C o n t e m p o rary D ram a tis ts Series

D E A T H A N D T HE
FO O L
A DR A M A IN

ON E A CT B,

H UG O VO N H OF M A N N STH AL
Tra ns la t ed fr o m the G er m a n
w it h t h e C o ns en t o f t h e A u th o r

by E L IS A B E TH W A LTE R

B O STO N , R ICHA R D G BA DGE R .

THE CO P P CLA R , CO .
, L I MI TE D , T O R O NT O
 A ll R i g h t s R e s e r v e d

TH, G o n n a P a nes, B OS T ON , A.
 H U GO VO N H OF M A N N STH AL

U GO VO N H OF M A N N ST H AL ,
p i o nee r o f th e s ym bo l ic m o v em en t in
G e rm an l i t e ra t ure w as bo rn in Vi en n a
,

Fe bru ary 1 1 8 74 His f at her a n o

, .
,

t able l awy e r an d , Vo rs t a n d des Rech t s bu reau de r ,

O es t re i c h , e n t ral Bod en , re d i t B an k in Vi enn a

, , , ,
,

is d es cen d ed o f an an ci en t A u s t ri an f am i ly w h ich ,

in 1 8 3 5 h ad b een rai s ed t o th e ari s to c rac y H ugo .

re ce iv ed h is ea rly e du c a t i o n at t h e gy mn as ium in

Vi en n a an d lat e r att en d ed t h e u n i v ers i ty t here t o

s t udy law an d R o m an i c phi lo l o gy A f t er att ai n
.

in g t h e d oc t o ra t e h e d ev o t e d h ims el f t o l i terary
,

wo rk . A t t h e rem ark ab ly ea rly age o f s ev en teen h e

pu bl i sh ed h is rs t d ram at ic s t udy G es tern e m p l o y ,

in g t h e p s eud o n ym T h eo ph i l M o rren
, T h i s w as .

im m edi at ely f o l lo w e d by th e d ram as D er To d des ,

Ti zi an in 1 8 9 2 an d D er To r u na d er To d in 1 8 93

, ,

W ri t t en u n d e r t h e pe n n am e o f Lo ri s In 1 8 99 th e .

v o l u m e Th eat er in Vers en app ea red c o n t ai n i n g t h e

, ,

d ramas D ie Ho c h z eit der , o b eide D ie Frau i m

, ,

Fen s t er , an d D er A b en d t eu rer un d die S aeng eri n .

Tw o um es o f sh o rt p lays w ere p u bl i s h ed in 1 906

vo l

u n d er th e t i t l e , lein e D ram en F rom t h ese p u rely

.

ly ri cal an d ro m an t i c wo rks H o fma nn st hal t u rn ed

,

t o t h e g reat p sy c h o logic al d ramas o f l i te rat u re He .

5
6 H U G O VO N H OF MA N N ST H AL

rewro te Sop ho cl es E lektra

in 1 903 , h is O edip us
R ex in 1 904 , an d O edip u s and th e Sp in x in 1 906.

O tw ay

s Ve n i ce P res erv ed was mod ern ise d u n d er
th e t i t le D as G e r e tt e t e Ve n edig , in 1 9 04 O n th is .

sid e o f th e A tl an t ic H o fm an ns th al is perh ap s bes t

kn o wn as t he p oe t o f the Op era D er R os en kav al i er
wh ic h was rs t pub l i she d in 1 9 1 1 B es id es th es e .

d ram at ic p oem s H o fm anns th al iss u e d t wo v o lum es

o f v erse s A u sg ew ah lt e G edi c h t e 1 903 an d G es
, ,

His p ro se w ri t i n gs in

a m m el t e Ged ic h t e 1 90 7 .

cl u de Ta lks o n L i t era ry S u b,e c ts 1 905 an d P r o s e

W o r hs 1 9 07 .

To H erm an n B ah r be l o n gs t h e d i s t in c t i o n o f hav
in g fi rs t d i s co v ere d the gen iu s o f H u go v o n Ho f
m an n s t h al Th e y o u th fu l au th o r o f G es t er n h o w
.
,

ev e r w as n o t l o n g d epe n d en t up o n his f ri en d s fo r
,

i n i ti at i o n i n to art c i rc l es bu t soo n s p read h is w in gs

,

t o soa r t o atrn osp h eres bu t li t tl e k no wn t o h is f o re

ru n n ers He be cam e o n e o f t h e se l ec t ci rcl e t ha t

.

ga th er ed aro u n d Stephan G eo rge an d w i th o u t d o ub t

m ay be reck o n e d its m o s t il lu s t ri o u s m e mb e r Th i s .

ci rcl e is rep r es en ta tive o f t hat n ew m o v em en t in

l i te ratu re k n own as the s ym bo l i s t ic s c ho o l w h o se
aim s an d m et hod s are d iam e t r i c ally O pp o se d t o t h o s e

o f th e n a t u ral i s t ic an d real i s t i c s c h o o l s In a maga .

zi n e B laett er f u er die , u ns t ,A rt L eaf lets , is

,

s u e d by t h i s gro up o f y o u n g V i en n es e p oe t s t h e a im s
,

o f s ym bo l i s m w e re s e t f o rt h i n t h e f o l l o wi n g w o rd s ,
 H U G O VO N H OF MA N N ST H A L 7

An art a rt s s ak e wh ich is t h ere f o re im
fo r ,

m e d i at ely O pp ose d t o t h at hackn eye d an d i n f eri o r

m o vem en t wh ich h ad i ts so u rce in a m i s t aken co n
c ep t io n o f re al i ty No r can t hi s art oc c upy i ts el f
.

w i th wo rl d re f o rm o r d ream s o f an all ro u n d
,
,

f el ici ty d ream s th at are v e ry b eau t ifu l in t h e i r way

, ,

bu t be lo n g to a real m n o t aki n to po et ry
,
.

U n l i ke m o s t yo u t h f u l au th o rs t hese m en s c o rn e d
p ub l ici ty Th e A rt L ea ets w ere n ev er to be h ad
.

fo r m o n ey bu t w ere gi v en t o t h e select few w h o m

,

gen iu s d eem ed wo rthy In t h i s m agaz i n e D ea t h

.

a n d t h e F o o l fi rs t ap p e ar e d in 1 8 93 n o r w as i t
,

pl aced o n s ale in book f o rm u n t il s even y ea rs l a te r ,

w hen i t m et w i th s uch ge n e ral f av o r am o n g t he

G e rm an read i n g publ ic t ha t wi t hi n t en y ears twelv e
e di t i o n s h ad b ee n e xh au s te d It w as th e i n u en c e
.

o f N ietzs c h ean p h i lo so p h y t h a t p ro m p t e d t h i s d es i re

t o avoid publ i c i ty t hi s ari s to c ra t i c rese rv e

,
And .

i t was al so N ietzs c h ean i n u en c e th at led t h es e

w ri ters t o e xp res s t hem s elv es in ap h o ri s m s an d o r
ac u l ar m axim s rat h er t han in t h e mo re plai n bu t
,

o f tt im es l ab o re d l an gu ag e o f th e r ea li s ts .

H o fm ann s t h al h as exp res se d t h e d ive rs i ty o f a im s

o f t h e two sch oo l s in th es e w o rd s B e tw een t h e
O l d e r art an d th e art O f t o day t h e re is i n d eed great
,

c o n fl i c t . W e w ant n o i n v en t i o n o f n arrat i v es b u t ,

t h e rep ro d u c t i o n o f e m o t i o n s ; n o c o n t e mpl at i o n ,

bu t rep res en t at i o n ; n o t amu sem en t bu t imp ress i o n

, .
8 H U G O VO N H OF MA N N STH A L

The m aj o ri ty o f th e o l d er po ets crea ted t he i r wo rk

acc o rd i n g to ce rt ai n p o p ular t en et s o r w h at t h ey
,

d es i red th e wo rld to acc ep t as p ri nc ipl e W e o n .

,

t h e c o n t ra ry vi ew t h e happ en i n gs O f an e ra bu t as
,

a m e an s o f a rt i s t i c i n sp i rat i o n
.
,
Shakes p eare had
b een at t rac t ed t o t he s to ry o f M acbe t h by t h e co u rse
o f e v en t s in h is h i s t o ry ; G oe t he w as d rawn t o
I phigen i a by her cha rac te r an d p erso n al i ty ; bu t Ho f
m ann s th al f el t t he f o rc e ful imp ress i o n o f a st o rm
O f h appe n i n gs up o n a l i f e t h ro bbi n g s pi ri t an d it
,

is t h i s t ha t his d ram as r ep roduc e He w ro te no t

.

t o giv e p leas u re n o t to i n s t ruc t b u t t ha t h e an d

, , ,

w i t h h im h is audi en c e migh t t as te t o th e l as t aye , ,

t o t h e v ery d re gs t h e bi t t er c u p t h at h ad b een f o rc ed
,

t o t he l ip s o f a s u ffe ri n g humani ty It is t h i s t h a t h as
.

gi ven s u c h f ea rful f o rce t o his h i s t o ri c al p lays .

M ood an d s ensat i o n are all impo rtan t c h aract er an d ,

e v en t s are o n ly a m ea ns o f c reat i n g t h e s am e .

N ei t h er t im e n o r p l ac e b i n d s t he n ewro m an t i c i s ts .

In t h e i r ab rup t tu rn i n g f ro m t h e n a t u ral i s t ic t ren d

o f t h e i r c o n t e mp o ra ri es t hey reach back t h ro ugh t h e
,

ag es i n t o t h e cul t u re d w o rl d O f d ead n at io n s In .

t h i s f eel i n g at o ne wi t h t h e p eop l e an d c u s t o m s o f

far go n e d ays H o fm ann s t h al is u n s u rp ass e d His .

f av o ri t e fi el d is th e t im e o f t he Renai ss ance .

Wi t h the han d o f a magicia n h e w eav es symbol i c

d ream s u n u tterably r ich in co lo r an d m el o dy His .

p lays are ly ric al reco rd s o f d eep an d po i gn an t e mo

 H U GO VO N H OF MA N N STH A L 9

i
t on o ccup i e d wi th t he sp i ri tu al adv en tu res o f sou l ,

an d my s t e ri o us as th e mys te ry o f a S p i ri t s mood s

.

A d i scipl e o f D An n u n z io an d Wild e h e far su r

p asses bo t h in th e lyrical qual i ty o f h is v erse which ,

in its m agn i , c en t reso n an c e is as t h e o rch es t ra t i o n

o f n at u re and human i t y . A t ru e wo rd art i s t h e
,

c h oo ses h is p h rases wi t h r em arkabl e n ic ety ev er ,

p regn an t wi t h m ean i n g an d o f p i e rci n g sweet ness .

Th e p erf ec t i o n o f h is rh ym es n ever p al ls b u t at all

,

t im es is s u i t ed t o t h e c res t o r t ro ugh o f f eel i n g em

b o d i ed ve rse g l idi n g i n to vers e as wave o v ert aki n g

,

wave . E W . .
 C A ST OF C H AR A C T ER S

a N o bl e m a n
let

s M o t h er
Sw ee t h e a r t D ea d

um

Ho us e

es o f 1 820
 D e at h an d t h e F00 1
Clau dio f L o u is , VI In

s s t u dy in t h e s ty l e o .

th e bac kg ro u n d r ig h t an d l ef t are large wi n do ws i n ,

the c e n t er a g las s do o r leadi ng o ut to th e b alc o n y

fro m w h ic h a w o o de n s t ai r cas e leads d ow n in t o
t h e ga r de n . A t t he lef t a w h ite f o ldi n g do o r , at the

r ig h t a sim ilar o ne o p e n i ng in t o h is b edr o o m w h i c h

is s hut o ff w i t h a g r ee n v e v etl p o rt ier . A de s h
n ear th e w i n do w at the r ig h t , a c h ai r in fro n t o f i t .

To the p illars are fas te n ed glas s ca bin ets i i

c o n ta n n g

ant i q u es . Cl o s e to th e w a ll at the r ig h t is a dar k

Go th ic carv e d c h es t, i
a n c en t m u s ical i ns tr u me n ts

ha n g ab o v e it . A p ic t u r e by an o ld Italia n mas ter

is al m o s t b la c h w i t h ag e . Th e wa ll is c o v er ed w ith
a v ery lig h t w all p ap er stucc o a nd g i lt
,
.
,

CLA UD IO l
a o n e.

He is seat ed a t t he w i n do w . S u ns e t .

Th e d i s tan t hil ls gai ns t th ho ri z o n r ear

a

T h eir c ro wn ed h ead s tw ix t rays o f s u n d ecl i n i n g ,

13
1 4 D EATH AN D TH E FOO L

A w rea th a o at in gild ed a tm o sph ere

Of sno w y cl o ud s wi th sha d o ws d eep en twi n n i g .

SO w ere th e c lo ud s of an ci en t mas ters p ai n t e d

T h at b ear alo ft the V i rgi n M o th e r i
s a nt e d .

Th e p rec ipic e in so mb re blu e is s hro ud e d ,

Th e h o ll o w val e of m o u n t ai n s h ad o ws k i ss ed ,

Th e gl i s t en i n g m ead s in e v en i n g g ray are c lo ud e d ,

O ne s u n t in ge d p eak gleam s fo rth an a m e th ys t .

Wi th j ealo u s p an gs my yearn i n g so ul re g ard s

Th e f o rt u n at e w h o go ld en fi el d s h av e p l a n ted ,

T he e art h th e r i w eary , fu lso m e to il rew ar ds ,

T h em h appy w eari n es s of l imb is g ran te d .

Wi th f eet u n s hod up o n , th e f rag ran t h ea th er

Th e m o rn i n g wi n d di s p o rts in umm er s gl are ;
s

He wak ens t h em . Th e b ees t h e i r h o n ey g ath er

N ear th e m ; t h ey b reath e G o d s gl o ri o u s , s u nny ai r
.

N at u re s
th e r i l o wly s l ave , an d th e y i nh eri t
Her c h o i ces t gi f ts ; th e i r w e al t h m y so ul d o th u
ta n t .

B e tw een al t e rn ate f res h an d w ea ri e d s pi ri t ,

To h m f o r t u n e s bl ess i n g u nwo n t

t e no is .

T h e g o l d en or b d o th s h if t its pl ac e an d s n i ks
I n to th e gleam i n g c rys t al o f th e se a ,

Th e las t f ai n t s treak o n di s t an t t reetop bl i n k s .

No w re dd i s h s m o k e d o t h h o v er haz ily ,
 D EATH AN D TH E FOO L 1 5

No w fi e ry gl ar e upo n th e s h

o re h r
t is t e e

G reat c i t i es l ie , wi th arm s of Naiad es

In m o n s t ro u s c rad les h igh th e r i ch ild ren bear ;
A no b le p eo pl e an d audaci o u s . Th es e
Th e un exp l o red o c ean w av es p at r o l
Th a t

n e er b e fo re w ere cu t by an y k eel .

The an g er O f t h e se a d o th ro us e the so ul ,

And ev e r y p ai n an d p as s i o n at e p an g d o th h eal .

Th u s m ean i n g , an d t hu s b less i n g I beh o l d

Sp read o v e r all I g az e t h ere l o n gi n gly ,

Bu t m ean i n g less is all , an d pai n u n to l d

Do t h fill th e th i n gs , t h e s en es t at n e rer
c h a me .

So s ee m s my l i fe i n sens ate , w h o l ly w as te d ,

Co n fi n e d w i th i n th ese w all s , t h es e s t ree ts my lo t .

Wi th u ns h e d tea rs tw as ful l , an d j o ys u n t as t e d ,

An d yea rn i n g fo r , a
al s , I k no w no t what .

He s tan ds at the w in d o w .

T h ey l igh t t h e i r c an dl es n o w , an d t eh y a tt ai n
Wi t hi n th ei r w all s a n arro w e d w o rl d an d du l l ,

Wi th all t h at h o l d s th e hum an h eart in c h ai n ,

Of j o ys a
an d t e rs an d pai n t is ful l .

E ach h eart t o ea ch is ope ; t h ey sh are

1 6 D EATH A N D TH E FOO L

M i s gi v i n gs o er th e t raveler n o t re tu rn ed

Wi t h ch eeri n g w o rd s t h ey co mfo rt d ri v e o u t c are ; ,

,A h m e to c o mf o rt I h av e neve r l ea rn ed ,
, .

Th ey k n o w w h at t o n e e ach an gu i s h e d h o u r calls ,

To c u l l o r s mi le o r t ear wh at w o rd is nee di n g ,

No r e v er k n o c k o n s ev en f o l d n a i led w alls
Wi t h w o u n d e d n gers to rn an d bl eed i n g .

Wh at do I kn o w of l i fe of m an ?
As an o u t s id er d id I v i ew it ,
I co ul d no t w e av e my so ul i n to it ,
W as in it b u t n o t o f t he cl an .

M y sel f I n e ver co u l d f o rget ,

No r gi v e , no r k
ta e , l ik e ot h e rs b less ed ;
My so ul n e er

u n d e rs t an d i n g met .

T h o m any f o n d lip s m i n e h av e p res s e d

I n ev e r d ran k th e cup o f h appi n es s ,

I n ev e r k n ew a d eep an d p o ig n an t an gui sh ,

No r so bbi n g t ro d th e p ath of l o n el i n es s .

Wh ene er i gif ts

o f H eav en s c h o ces t in m e
A u tt eri n g c au s e d , a t h ri ll imm e di ately
,

M y ev er wake ful b rai n fo rget ful n es s ,

U n k n o w i n g bo ld ly s p o k e i ts n am e ;
,
 D EATH A ND T HE FOO L 1 7

Comp ari s o n s aro s e , an d w i th t h e m me

ca

M i s t ru s t an d ro bbe d m e O f all j o yo u sness

, .

A n d ago n y d ev o i d o f c o lo u ri n g ,

By co n temp lat i on to rn d i ssec t e d qui t e ,

Ho w c o u l d I p ress t h a t h o rrid ma n gle d t h i n g ,

U n to my b reas t an d s u c k its ra re d el igh t ?

Its w i n gs j u s t g raze d an d w e ari e d m e ,

U n eas i n ess I f el t n o t ago n y , .

Wit h a s u dde n s tar t .

T is d ark en i n g I p o n d er f oo l i s hly

.
,

Ah , T im e i n d ee d h ath
, , v ar o i u s p ro geny .

Bu t I am t i red I s h all , t ry t o s l eep .

Th e v a et l br i n g s i n a la m p an d i m m ediately w i t h

In g lari n g l igh t o nc e m o re th e l amp d o t h s tee p

Fo r m e i
t h s s to rero o m
s l i f el es s f ripp ery ,

T h ro ugh w h i c h I f ai n by s te al th y w ay h ad c re pt ,

Si n c e b arre d t h e o p en p at h mu s t ever b e,
I n t o t h at l i f e fo r wh ich I y earn i n g w ep t .

He s t o ps in f r o n t o f t h e Cr u c i,x .
1 8 D EATH AN D T HE FOO L

A t Th y p oo r , wo u n d ed f ee t of i vo ry ,

Oh Sav i o r c ru c ifi e d h av e m an y k n el t
, , ,

To qu en ch t h e burn i n g am es pr aye d f erven tly ,

Th at in th e i r h earts so m arvelo u sly d w el t ;

A n d w h en an icy c hil l th e glo w d i s p lac ed ,

Rep en t an c e va i n , an d , erc e re m o rse th ey f ac e d .

He s ta n ds in fr o n t o f t h e o ld p i c t u r e .

Giac o n da, f ro m a b ac kg ro u n d w o n d ro u s
T hy soul ful f o rm in mys t ic s p len d o r gleam s ,

Th y m o u th au s tere , an d s w eet m ys t eri o u s ,

Th i n e e y elid s w e igh te d d o wn w i th g o l d en d ream s ;

H as t j u s t so mu ch o f l if e to me rev e al d
As my i n t erro gat i n g so ul to t h ee did y i eld .

He t u rn s t o t h e c h es t .

, e c ups u po n
, w h ose coo l f
re res h n i g r im
Full m an y l ip s in rap tu re rare h av e h u n g ,
, e an ci en t lu tes , w h o se tw an gi n g str n i gs hav e s u n g
To m an O pp ress e d of wo e, an d s o l ac e d h im ,

Ah , co ul d y e w eav e yo u r m agi c s p ell o er me

Ho w gl ad yo u r w ill i n g p ri so n er I sh o u l d be .
20 D EATH A ND TH E FOO L

G ro p es in t h e so mb re re al ms of l ife an d g ro pes in
vai n .

And al l t h at p leas e d , an d al l th at m ad e me s ad,

It s ee m ed as tho no m ea n i n g of i t s el f it h ad .

Nay

, th si w as n au gh t bu t fu tu re l i f e s fo rseein g ,

A ho llo w p ic t u re o f co mp le te r b e i n g .

In so r ro ws an d in l o v e I b attled ev er
G a i n s t s h ad o w s all my s en se b ew i ld e re d qui te ,

E m p lo y e d my i ns t i n c ts bu t e xh au s te d ne v er ,

And gu ely dre am ed th a t

va day wo u ld f o ll o w n igh t .

I t u rn ed an d lo o k e d up o n th s i l if e
W here i n no ra e c w as ev e r w o n by s p ee d ,

A n d b rav ery is no t an a id in str i fe ,

W he re s o rro ws s a d d en n o t no r j o ys m ake glad ,

Wh e re l
s e n s e es s an s w e rs s en s eless qu es t i o n s b reed .

E n t an gled d ream s r sei in the h arro w ed mi n d ,

An d c h an ce ru les all , th e h o u r, w av e , an d w i nd .

So p ai n fu lly as t u te an d m o rt ifi ed
In w ea ri e d p rid e , w i th d i sa ppo i n t m en t f ai n t ,

I l ie d ee p bu ri e d h ere wi t h o u t co m pl ai n t ,

Wi th i n t h es e walls thi s t o wn , do I abid e ;

T h e p eo p le ,
to o , hav e a d
c e se to giv e m e h ee d ,
T h ey v e f o u n d t h at I mm o n pl ac e i n d eed

am co .
 D EATH AN D T HE FOO L 21

Th e l
v a e t e n t ers wit h a p latef u l o f c h erri es w h ic h
h e p lac es on t h e tabl e, t h en t u r n s t o c l os e t h e d o o rs
o f th e bal c o ny .

CLA UD I O

W h y s hu t t he d oo rs so so o n ? Wh at s f righ ten

ed yo u ?

THE VAL E T

Yo u r H o n o r wo n t bel i ev e it if I t ell.

To h i ms elf f earf u lly

, .

An d y v e h idd en a rbo r

no w t h e in th e t h e re ,

CLA UD IO

Why who ?

THE VAL E T

Yo u r p ard o n , s i r, I do no t k no w ;
It see ms an arm y o f u ncanny f o l k .
22 D E ATH A N D T HE F O O L

CLA UD IU

B eggars ?

THE VA LE T

I do no t kn o w .

GL A UD IO

Oh , s hu t th e d oo r
T hat l ead s fro m o u t the gard en to t h e s t ree t ,

Then go to bed an d bo t h er me no m o re .

THE VALE T

Ti s

v
e en t a t h ha s j us t al a rm ed me so ,

Th e gard en gat e is bo l ted bu t ,

CL A UD I O

Bu t

THE VAL E T

T h ey re s i tt in g in th e gard en ev en no w,
U p on th e san dst one , gu re o f Apo llo so me,
 D EATH A N D TH E FOO L 23

A p air are hidd en in th e s h a o d ws t here

B en eath t h e fo u n t ai n , one is on th e Sphi n x ,
Th e y ew t ree h id es h im , yo u can
t see h im no w .

GLA UD I O

A re t h ey men ?

THE VA L E T

So m e m en an d wo m en al so ,

No t be gg arfo l k , o ld f as h i o n e d are i
t h e r c lo t es h .

Th ey loo k j u s t lik e t h e et c h i n gs on yo u r w al l s .

In s uch app all i n g man n er t h ere t h ey s it ,

Wi t h eyes that st are at o n e as e mp ty ai r .

Th ey can

t be hum an b e i n gs . Yo ur H o n o r p ray , ,

Be n o t an n o ye d , bu t no t fo r all t h e w o rl d
Wo u l d I go out in th e r i vici n i ty ,

Pray Go d , to ,
m o rro w t h ey l l
h av e d i s appe ared .

An d n ow , wi th you r p erm i ss i o n , s i r,

I ll clos e
The d oo rs an d bol t t h em t oo , an d al l t he l o ck s

Wi t h ho ly wa ter I s hall s p ri n k le . C au se

I ve v
n e er yet s een h um an s l o o ked like t h o se ,

An d y
e es l ike t h ei rs are n o t in h uma n head s .
24 D EA TH AND T HE FOO L

CL A UD I O

DO as yo u li ke an d n o w goo d n igh t
,

H e walks m u s i n gly up a nd d ow n th e ro o m . Be
h i nd t he s ce n es are h eard t h e y ear n ing , m o u rn f u l
s t rai n s o f a v io l i n , so ft a nd dis ta n t at ,rs t , gradu ally
c o m i ng n earer, u n t il at las t th e f u ll warm
, n o t es

s e em to c o me f ro m t h e ad o in i n g r o o m .
,

GLA UD I O

M u s ic ?
R a re mu s ic t oo t h at s p ea ks u n t o t h e so ul ,
, ,

The f ell o w s n o n se n se h as bew i t c h e d m e q u i t e

,

M e t h i n k s n o h um an h an d e re c u lled

Suc h t o n es f ro m o u t a v i o li n .

R e m ai ns i n l is t en i n g att it u d e t u r n ed t o war d t h e

r ig h t .

It see ms as th o my soul tw ere r en d i n g
In t rem o s r sol em n d eep , , s u p e rn al ,

It seems t o s pe ak rem orse u nen d in g ,

 D EATH A ND TH E FOO L 25

An d s ni gs of h Ope , s weet ho pe e tern a l;

As t h o f ro m o u t t he e s anc i en t wal ls an d wid e
M y l if e u n ro lled be fo re me glo ri ed .

Tis l ike a m o t h e r s


or a l o ve d o n e s e n t rin g ;

L ik e v y lo n g lo s t ret u rn

e er o ne s

It ro u s es t h o ugh ts
ro u n d goo d th n i gs c en t r n i g ,

T h at in m y b re as t wi th y o u t hful , re bu rn .

When b eau teo us Sp ri n g in bo y h oo d did i n am e m e ,

Th e vas t u n k n o w n b ro ugh t qu ic ken i n g t o my blo o d ,

A yearn i n g b o u n dl es s i n n i t e
, , ,

o e rc am e m e,
An app rehens i v e , w i ld , p rOp he t ic oo d .

Th en d ays of wan d eri n g ca me , i n to xi c at i n g ,

W h en all t h e wo rld was bat h e d in w o n d ro u s l igh t ,

A nd ro ses b lo o m e d , an d b ell s ran g c el e b rat i n g ,

A nd ec s tac y w as

ro und me an d d el igh t .

W h at t h ro bbi n g l i fe all t h n i gs t h en d id c o n ta n i ,
Wh at m ean i n gful ness a ll i g
th n s t he n ac q u i red ,
I fel t my so ul en rap tu red f elt i n sp i re d
, ,

I l iv i n g l i n k w i th i n t he h um an chai n .

An d lo ve I t h en d ivi ned , th e m i gh ty s t ea r m
T hat no u ri sh e th all h ear t s t h ru mi n e h e a rt u rge d ;
,

And c o n t e n t m en t t h at n o t e e n in d ream

a ,

I no w kno w ,
t h en t h r u all my b ei n g s u rged .

Si n g on, oh myst ic mu s ic , i g
s n to m e,
26 D E ATH AND T HE FOO L

An d st ir miy s luggi s h so u l u n t o its sou rc e ,

It see ms revi ewed th us
,
re t o s r p ec t ively ,

M y l ife in ,o y an d wa rm th h ad ru n its c o u rs e .

The cr us t o f age s u bs idet h m el t i n gly

B en ea t h t hi s ery glo w of yo u t hful f o rce ;
T h e u sel es s l earn i n g which my w il fu l ch o ice
In w eary w e igh t up o n t h ese s h o u l d ers lays ,

Isl os t be fo re t he gr eat P rim o rd ial Vo i ce ,

Th es e s ac re d t o n es t h i s c all o f c h ild hoo d days

,
.

Wh i le h e ral d e d a f ar w i th bell s lo ud i gi n g
r n ,

A n ew l i fe co m eth f o rt h , a n ew aw aki n g ,

In fo rm s to w h ich is b o u n dl ess m ean i n g cl ni gi n g ,

Si n ce rely gre at in givi n g an d in t aki n g .

Th e m u s ic c eas es s u dd n ly . e

Ah , h r
t e e, ti s s i len t n o w, th e vi o li n ,
D i v i n ely hum an g rac e I f el t h
t ere n i .

And h e who so had pow er t o en ch an t

M o st lik ely a d et h
st n in th e r
s t eet be lo w
An d h o ld et h out h is h at ,
a m en d icant .

He g o es t o t h e w i n do w at t h e r ig h t .

I do n o t s ee h i m h ere . I n d ee d
t is s t ran ge ,

Wh ere m ay h e b e ? Perha p s at t o t h er wi n d o w .
28 D EAT H A N D T HE FOO L

F ro m Ven u s I m d esc en d ed D i o nys o s , so n ,

Th e go d of So u ls be fo re t h ee t h o u d o s t s ee .

W h en t h o u th ru s um m er sh a d o w s go i n g ,

H as t s een a leaf bo rn e t h ru th e gi ld e d a ir ,

T is h m y b rea th h at h uche d t ee , t ho
h u

t en to

k no wi n g ,

Th at d ream l ik e d o t h all r ip en ed th i n gs e n s n are

Wh en ev er o v er flo wi n g f eel i n gs ll
T hy t r embl i n g so u l wi th flo o d O f w arm th an d ligh t ,

Wh ene e r
in m o m en tary t h ril l
The v a s t U n k n o w n is b ro ugh t be f o re t hy s igh t ,

t h o u s u rren d rin g t o t h e w h ee l o f f at e

An d
D o s t l oo k up o n t h e w o rl d as th i n e es t at e ;

In ev er y tru ly so le mn ho ur
T h at m ad e t h i n e e art hl y fo rm to q ui v er ,

I to u c h ed th y s o u l s fo u n d at i o n ev e r
Wi th c d
s a re , w i th mys teri o u s p o w er .

GL A UD I O .

E n o ug h . I g ree t t h ee n o w as t is b ec o m i n g ,

Th o n er o v us st ill .

S h o r t p au s e .
 D EATH A N D T HE FOO L 29

Bu t say w h at m eans th y c o mi ng ?

D EA TH .

My co mi n g f ri e n d
, , h a t h bu t o ne m ean i n g e er

.

GL A UD IO .

But s u rel y I h av e t im e an d mu c h t o s arep ,

B eh o l d , th e l e af ere f ro m th e b ran ch t is f reed
Wi t h a ll t h e sa p o f li f e h at h b een imbu e d ,

I ve no t h ad t h at , I h av e no t li ved , i n d ee d ,

D E A TH .

H as t no t lik e o th ers to o th y w ay pu rs u e d ?

GLA UD I O .

L i ke m ead o w o w ers , t o rn an d c as t

U po n the t u rbid r u sh i n g s t rea m ,

T h e d ays of m y yo u th o n w ar d pas se d ;
Th at s u c h w as l i f e I k n ew , no t , d id no t d rea m .

A n d t h e n I s to o d at l if e s gates , lo n gi n g ly ,
3O D EATH A ND THE FOO L

D el ici o u s app reh en s i o n in my h ea rt ,

Ex pe ct in g in maj es t ic s to r ms t o see

A s udd en miracl e bu rs t t h em ap art .

It cam e n o t so to p as s . An d o n ce I st ood
Wi thi n th e s acr e d n ess
, w as go ne th en d id,

D es ire , t oo , my m em o ry e lud e ,

An d ne a th a ban I w as h
t os e t h i n gs am id .

B e wil d ere d by th e t w i lig h t , n igh s ubm erg ed ,

I mpa t i en t , so re , my i nner b e i n g sco u rge d ,

H al f h ea rt e d ly wi th al l my
,

, se ns e s n umb ,

In ev e r y w h o l e mys teri o u s ly th w a rte d ,

I n e er by i n n er , res w as o v er o c me ,

On migh ty w av es my so ul w as n e er p
t ran s o rt e d .

No r w as I

e er w i t h th at Go d f ac e to fa c e
Wi th wh o m o ne mu s t c o n t en d to gai n h is g rac e .

D EA TH .

T h o u d id s t rec e i v e a rth m o rt al s

as a ll e s , to o ,

A m o rt al li f e to li ve as o t h ers do .

A fai th fu l s p i ri t yo u wi t h i n ye b ear ,

Wh ic h t o th s i chao s of u n m ean i n g th i n gs
A n alo gy , i n te rp re ta t i o n b ri n gs ,

An d bid s ye p l an t y o u r ga rd en th ere
 D EATH A N D T HE FOO L 3 1

Of so rro w m erc y
, , an d e i c ien cy .

A h , wo e h
to t ee , t h at mu s t be t augh t by me ,
So m e m en are born to bi n d , an d so me are bo un d .

Wi th s u l try h o u rs an d s t o r m s d o es g ro w t h ab o u n d .

Wi th t ear ,
w et li ds , an d w o rn , h aras se d by c are ,

St i ll y earn i n g , w i s h i n g st il l , h al f in d espair ,

D eep b reath i n g , an d w i t h lo v e of l ife st ill warm ,

Bu t r ip en e d al l , ye fal l i n t o my arm .

CL A UD IO

I am no t r ip e i n d eed
, , so p ass me by .

I w i ll no l o n ger fo o l i s h ly lam en t ,

Bu t f ro m th s i m o rt al so il I ll no t be re n t .

A lo n gi n g d eep fo r lif e d o th in m e
,

, c ry .

B e f o re t hi s d readful f ea r th e b an d o th giv e ,

I f ee l it n o w I can oh, let m e li ve ,

I f eel i t in th i s i n n i te , w i l d yearn i n g ,
M y heart a love fo r eart h l y t hi n gs is learn i n g .

Oh , th o u s h al t see , n o m o re a p o o r dumb b ru te
Or puppe t , s h all an o t h er s ee m to me ;
NO h eart to m e , h ereaf ter, h ll be mu te
s a .

A ll j o ys I ll f o rc e I ll s hare each m i sery , .

A n d fai t h ful n ess t h at d o t h all li fe s u s t ai n

, ,
32 D EATH A ND TH E FOO L

I w i ll acqui re my l if e I ll l i v e

. And so ,

T ha t goo d an d e v il o v er me s h al l re i gn ,

An d to my h eart or g ri e f ,
or s m i le s h al l gi v e .

T h e mu n d an e sc he m e w i t h m e an i n g n ew c i i g
co n e v n ,

No w h um an b e i n gs

on my w ay I ll , n d ;
N0 lo n ge r mu tely gi v i n g ,
an d re e v n c i i g ,

I w i l l be bou n d ,
an d I I , ,
to o , w i ll bi n d ,

Pe r ceiv i ng D e at h s x p r es s i o n

u n m o v ed e , h is t er

ro r i n c reas es .

W hy s ee , b eli ev e m e,

t w as n o t s o b e f o re ,
Th o u t h i n ks t I h av e k n o w n h at e , k n o w n l o v e
v nei ?
Ah , no , t e h k ern el n ev er ye t w as m i ne ,

Tw as mp ty mi n g w o rd s , i g m o re

e s ee , an d n o t h n .

B eh o l d ,
I ll

p ro v e th s i th n i g , h
t es e le tt ers , s ee ,

He ta k es a b u n dle o f o ld le t t ers f ro m a d ra w e r .

Th e v o ws , d
t h e t en er n o tes t at t h r h u t h em t h read ,

D o s t t h i n k t h at I h ad f e l t t h ese t hi n gs as s he ?
Or as my let te rs w ri t in ans w e r sa id ?

He
,
t h ro w s t h e p ac ke t at D ea t h s f eet ; t he letters
are s c a tt ere d o v er th e fl o o r .
 D EAT H A ND T HE FO O L 33

Th ere k eep th s i w ho l e , t h i s e mp ty am o ro u s l if e ,

W he re I I m s up re m e

reec ho e e r, an d ,

W h e re bo rne on c res t or t o r ug h of hum an str if e ,

I s w ay , an d e v ery s ac re d th n i g bl as p h em e .

T h ere , T h ere , A n d all t h i n gs l

e s e are bu t as th is ,

D ev o id o f s en s e , or lo v e , or h at e , or b l i ss ,

D E A TH

T h o u f oo l , T h o u s e n s e es s l fo o l , u
t r e rev eren c e

Fo r l i fe I ll h u

t e ac h t hee e re t o go es t h e n c e .

St an d t here , an d learn , an d s i len t ly b eho ld

T h at o t h e rs , w h en f ro m out th s i l if e w e re go i n g ,

The i r v e ns i w i t h h um an rap t u re s w ee t w e re fl o w i n g ,

An d t ho u l
a o ne w as t u n res p o n s i v e ,
co ld .

D eat h p lay s a few n o t es on fi ddle a n d calls . He

s t a n ds n ea r th e do o r o f the b ed r o o m , in th e f o re
g r o u n d, at the r ig h t ; Clau dio is n ar e the wa l l at

t he l ef t , in s emi ,
da r k n e s s . His M o t h e r e n t rs e at

t he do o r at t he r ig h t . S h e is not v e ry o ld . She
w ea rs a lo ng , b la c k v e lv e t d re ss . A b la c k v e lv e t
ca p w i t h w h i te ru c he f ra m es h er fa c e . In h er w h it e
d e l i c a t e h a n ds s h e ca rries a la c e han d ker c hi e f . Sh e
34 D EATH A N D T HE FOO L

p
s te s so f tly t h r o ug h the d o orway , an d walks no sei
l es s ly abo ut th e ro o m .

HIS M O TH ER

Ho w man y t en e d r p an gs t hi s at m o s phe re
Fo r m e d o t h h o ld . A fai n t an d s ub tle b re a t h
As th o of o we rs of la v en d e r d o t h,
w af t

To m e on e h al f of all my eart hly l i f e .

A m o th e r s l i f e ,
ah w ell ,

t is o n e t ,

hi rd p ai n ,

O ne ,
t h ird t is an gu i s h , o ne t ,
hi rd c a re. What kn o ws
A m an of t h at ?

She s t o ps at the c h es t .

Is st ill the e dge as k een ?

He f el l a gai ns t it o n c e , an d c u t his h ea d ;
He was qu i t e s m al l an d h ead s t ro n g , th en , an d w i ld ,

He w o ul d no t be co n t ro l e l d . Th e w i n d o w , ah ,
T h ere o ft I s t oo d , an d s t are d i n to th e n igh t ,

And e a er g ly I l i s ten ed fo r h is s te p ,

Wh en d rea d m i s gi v i n g d ro v e me out of be d .

An d w h en he cam e no t , th o th e cl o ck u k
s tr c tw o ,

An d t e n s t ruc k t h ree ,
h , th e d awn be ga n to gl im
mer
36 D EATH A ND T HE FOOL

CL A UD IO

Oh m o th er
, , co me ,
A n d l et m e o nc e , j ust o n ce , w i th my l ip s f eel
T hy q u i v e ri n g o wn , s o t igh t ly p ress ed l es t , t h ey

T h e p rid e fu l s i lence b reak ; an d le t m e k n e el

B e fo re t h ee , t h s u Oh , cal l her , B id h er
st ay ,
D id s t t ho u n o t s ee , s he d id no t w an t to go ?
I n hum an o ne , w hy do st co mp el her so ?

D E A TH

T h o u h ad s t h e r

G rudge no t w h at s mi n e . .

GL A UD IO

Ay e , A n d

ne e r

I f el t it , Ba rren qui te , W h en d id I e er

Wi t h i n me k no w e ach b re of my be i n g
Wi t h y earn i n g fo r h e r t h ro b? A n d w h en d id so

Her p res en ce l i ke a s ac re d d e i ty
E n gu l f m y mb l i n g ul
t re so o e rwh elm in gly ,

In hum an p as s i o n ,
h u m an ,o y , an d w oe ,
 D EATH A ND TH E FOO L 37

D ea th i n d i ff ere n t to Cla u di o

, s la m en t ,
p lay s a

s i mp l e f o lk ,

m el o dy . A y o u n g G irl e n t rs ,e so f t ly .

S h e w e a rs a p la i n , larg e ,g u r e d dr ess , la c e d sho es ,

a s m all s c ar f abo ut her n ec k. S h e is bare h ea d e d .

THE GIR L

Twas b eau t i fu l , D o n i m o re ?

t yo u th n k o f it
T is ue yo u h u rt m e d eep ly d eep ly

tr , , ,

But th en , w h at is t

th t a d o es n o t en d in p ai n ?
Th e h app y d ay s I v e y

s een , are v e r few ,
A n d t h es e , t h ey were as go o d as an y d ream ,
T h e o w ers at t h e windo w, my own o w e rs ,

Th e l i t t le j o ggl i n g i
s p n n e r, t h e re t h e c lo th e s ress , p
In w h i c h I laid aw a y yo u r le t t e rs , an d

W h at l i tt le gif t s yo u b ro ugh t me a ll
th e se th n i gs
laug h g rew b eau t i fu l ai n

Do n t at m e ag ,

An d t alk e d to m e w i th l ivi n g , lo v i n g lip s .

Wh e n i
ra n o n s ul t ry , s umm e r ev en n i g f el l ,

And we s to o d at th e w i n do w oh , th e

f rag ranc e
Of th e h umid t rees , All th at is go n e ,
An d no w is d ead al l t h at w as l ivi n g th en ,
38 D E AT H A N D THE FOOL

L i es bu ri ed sweet li t tl e grave

in o ur lo v e s .

Ah , bu t

twas b eau ti fu l , an d yo u
re t o b l am e
Fo r all i ts b eau ty , T h en yo u ca s t me o ff,
Th rew m e as id e u n th i n ki n g
, , cr u el , as

A chil d , of p layi n g w ea ri e d , d ro p s h is ow ers .

Ah , Go d, I d id h a ve na ugh t to h o ld yo u ,

A p au s e .

Yo u r l e tt er ca me , th e las t , th e d read ful o ne ;

A nd h
t en I wi s h ed to die . No t to d i s tress yo u
Do I t el l y o u t h is . O ne l e tt er m o re
I m ean t to wri t e in p art i n g ; no lam en t ,

No t p assi o n ate , or erce u n b rid led gr i e f

, ,

But j u st to m ak e yo u yearn a bit fo r m e ,

And te ach y o u to f ee l h o m es ic k fo r my l o ve ,

An d h ed a u se a l ate

s few t ea rs , ca tw s th en t oo .

I d id no t wri t e t ha t l et t er , no , w hy sho u ld I ?
I c o u ld no t kn o w h ow much of yo ur rea l h eart
W as in al l i
t h s , t h at so wi t h gl i tt eri n g
An d so w i th f ev er l le d my se n s es fu ll ,

Th at th ru th e day I w al k e d as in a d ream .

No good i n t en t tu rns f ai thless ness to t r thu .

A nd t ears can n o t re cal l t h at w h ich is d ead .

 D E ATH A ND T HE FOOL 39

O ne d o es no t die of th ese t h n s i g . Nay much later

, ,

A f t er lo n g w ea ry mi se ry w as gr an t e d

an d t

Th at I m igh t lay m e d o wn an d die . I p rayed

T hat in y o u r l as t h o u r I m igh t co m e t o yo u ,

No t h o rrib le , n o t to to r m en t y o u t h en ,
Bu t as the c u p o f w ine h
t at o n e h as d ru n k
An d se t as id e , it s f ragran ce vagu e re cal ls
A d i s t an t hal f f o rgo tt en gent le ,o y
, , .

E x it .

C la u d i o b u ries h is fa c e i n h is h a n ds . A M an en

i m m ediat ely f t er H e is f Clau dio s

t e rs a . a pp ar en t ly o

ag e . He is c ar eless ly dress ed i n a d u s ty t ra v el i n g

s u it . Th e w o o den h a n dle o f a k n if e p r o t r u des fr o m

h is l ef t breas t p o c k et ,
. He re m a n s i s ta n d n g i in the

ce n t er o f t h e s tag e fac i ng Clau dio .

An d are yo u l ivi n g st i ll , et ern al t rier ?

A n d do yo u st i ll rea d H o race , an d t ak e p rid e

In m o cki n g b ri l l i an cy an d u n m o ve d h eart ?
Wi t h p re t ty s p ee ch yo u fo und yo u r way to me ,
4o D EATH A ND T HE FOOL

P reten d ed i n teres t in w h at m o v ed me .

, ou s aid th t a I b ro ugh t th n s i g up in yo u r m i n d
T h at sec re t s le pt in y o u ; j us t as t h e win d
O f n igh t at t im es o f d i s t an t go al d o th W h i s p er .

O , y es , a , n e Eo l i an h a rp , i n d eed ,

, ou w ere, an d eve r w as th e lo ves i c k w i n d

Fo r it , a no t h er s
w o rn , e x h au s te d b reath ,

T w as m i n e o r so m eo n e e ls e s .

We h ad been
Goo d ch um s fo r yea rs . Go o d c h um s ? Th at is

t wix t us

W as c o mm o n c o n versa t i o n day an d n igh t .

W e h ad t h e s am e ac qu ai n t an c es an d p lay ed ,

A l i k e w i th w o m en . C o mm o n , ev en as

B etw een a m as t e r an d h is sl a ve is co mm o n
His h o u s e h is , se d an , do g , an d m eals , an d wh ip .

To h o u s e is p leas u re p ri s o n ;

o ne the , t ot h e r,
H im t h e se da n b ears , w h i le h e it s w e igh t
U p o n h is s ho u ld er f eels ; o ne in th e gard en
F ro l ics w i th th e do g , th e o ther w ai ts on it .

E m o t i o n s h al f co mp let ed p earls , , in p ai n
My so ul h ad o n c e c o n c e ve i d , yo u t o o k f ro m me ,

And as yo u r p lay th i n gs t h re w th e m up in air .

q u ick t o h u rn q uic k t d o ne wi t h

, ou, c , an d h av e

f ri en d s
 DEAT H A N D T HE FOOL 41

I wi th s i len t
, w oo i n g in my so ul
An d t e et h fa s t l o c ke d ; wh i le yo u wi th o u t co n s t ra n t i
At al l th n s i g fumb le d ,I s to o d by abas h e d ,

C o n fu se d , my w o rd s d i e d ere I s p o k e t h em .

A Wo m an ca m e up o n o ur p at h . And I
W as o v erc o me as w i th a d read fu l i lln ess ,

Wh ere i n t h e s en ses reel wi th o ve rst rai n

F ro m h av i n g gaz e d to o lo n g to w ar d one d es i re ,

O ne go al , w i th f as c i n at i n g m elan c h o ly ,

Wi t h f rag ran ce lled , an d ery glo w , as ligh t n i n g

T h ru so mb re d ark n ess h o v ers . A n d yo u , to o ,

B eh el d t h ese t h n s an d i g w e re att rac t ed , es ,

B ec au s e I , t oo , am j u s t l i ke t h at at t im es ;

Th e G i rl s lass i t ud e u re d

rare all me,

Her s t ern d i s d ai n , h er c h as ten e d m i en , al l t h s i

yo u n g D id i
,
In o n e so .
yo u n o t t el l me th s

In l at er years ? It all all u re d yo u so ,

To me a m o re m erel, blo o d b rai n s ,

tw s t h an an d

And sat at ei d , th e n , t o m e yo u u n g
T h e pupp et , al l d e f ac e d h er im age w as
In y o u w i th s u rf e i t , t err ib ly d i s gu re d ,

Of a ll h e r w o n d ro u s ch arm sh e w as d en ud ed ,

He r f eat u res sen s eles s , an d h er l i v i n g h ai r

42 DE AT H A ND T HE FOOL

H u n g d e ad ; , ou t h rew a sp ec t re to m e,
Wi t h yo u r vi le a rt to b ru t i s h no t h i n gn ess
, ou an alyz ed h er s wee t an d s u b t le ch a rm .

Fo r t h is , at las t I , h a t e d yo u ,

e e n as

In d im f o rebod i n g I h ad a l ways h at e d ,

An d I av o id ed you .

T h en D es ti n y
A t l as t my sh a tt ere d s pi ri t bl es se d an d p lac ed
On c e m o re an aim an d wi ll wi t hi n my br eas t ,

Wh ic h w as no t qui te d ead t o all go o d en d eavo r

D es pi te y o u r p o i so no u s p ro x im i ty ,

A ye , fo r a lo f t y pu rp ose D es ti ny
,

D ro v e m e t o s ee k d eat h th ru t h is m u rd ro u s b lad e ,

W h ich u n g me d o wn i n to a w ay s id e di t ch .

T h ere lyi n g I by s l o w d egr ees d ec ay ed

, ,

Fo r a
re so n s wh i c h yo u c o uld no t c o mp reh en d ;

An d st i ll was th ri c e m o re bl essed th an y o u , wh o ne er

W as augh t t o o n e , n o r any augh t t o yo u .

E xi t .

GL A UB I O .

W as na ugh t t o o n e , n o r an y augh t to me .
44 D EAT H A ND T HE FO 0L

Be t ho u m y l if e , D ea t h ,
i c
s n e m y l if e w as d ead ,
W h at f o rc es m e , wh o i
n e t h e r s ta te affrm ,

To h d eath h l if e m
?
c all t ee , an d t o t er to t er

M o re l i v i n g l if e t h an all l i f e ever he ld
T h o u d id s t c o n n e w i t hi n o n e l i t t le h o u r .

Wi th eart hly p han to m s f ro m my b rai n d i s p elled .

I gi ve mysel f u n to t hy m ys t i c p o w e r .

He s t o ps a m o m en t to re fl e c t .

M ay h ap tis b u t a d y i n g f eebl e no t i o n

, ,

W as h e d up w ard by my d ead ly w ak e fu l b lo o d , ,

B u t n e er be f o re in l i v i n g erc e em o t i o n

H av e I f e l t t h u s i t t h ere f o re s ee m et h goo d
, .

I f n o w t is d es t i n e d I s h all be e ffac ed

,

M y b ra i n t hi s las t ho u r fu ll y h ath emb rac e d ;

A n d li f e may go w i th all its so ull es s s h am .

No w t h at I die I f eel a t l as t I am
,
.

In s l eep o u r d ream ed e m o t i o n s o ft am ass

T i ll c o n sci o u s n ess at las t th ru s l eep is b reaki n g ;
SO n o w do I th ru ex c ess f ee li n g p as s

F ro m o u t li f e s d ream i n g u n to d eath s awaki n g ,

.

He s i n ks t D ea t h
,
dead a s f eet .
 D EA T H A ND T HE FOO L 45

D E A TH

Sl o w ly p ass es o u t, s h a ki n g his h ead .

Ho w w o n d e r fu l th es e h um an s are , i n d ee d ,

W ho do e xpl ai n t h e i nexp l i c able ,

A n d w h at w as n ev e r w ri t , t h ey rea d;
Th e i n t ri c at e t h ey , s ubj ug at i n g ,
bind ,

And thr u e t ern a l d ark n ess p ath s t h ey ,n d .

He g o es o ut t h ru t h e m iddle d o o r h is las t w o rds

,

a re fa i n t ly a ud i bl e . Th e ro o m re m a i n s q u ie t .

Th r o u g h the w i ndo w D ea t h , draw i ng his bo w

ac r o s s t h e s t ri n g s , is s e en to p as s , i m m e d i a t e ly b e
h in d h i m f o ll o w the M o th er , t he G i rl , an d a fig u re
l
c os e ly res e m bli ng C lau dio .
U N IVE R S IT,

Un ive rs ity o f Califo rnia

S O UTHERN REG IO NAL LIBRAR, FACILIT,
Re tu rn th is mate rial to th e lib rary
fro m wh ic h it was b o rro we d
.

1 01997 .