Der Schmetterling und der Jadevogel
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Das einsam gelegene Haus auf dem Hügel machte den Eindruck einer
chinesischen Gaststätte. Obwohl es spät am Tage war, hatte man darauf
verzichtet, die La...
7.8.20
Théophile Gautier, from the Comedy of death
I have returned from the land of ghosts,
But still, I maintain the pale shade of the dead
Far away from silent kingdoms
My clothes resemble a funeral dress
On an urn, thrown from my back to the ground
Hanging along my body.
I come from the hands of a death
More miserly than the one who wept at the tomb of Lazarus;
She looks after her keep:
She releases the body, but retains the soul;
She renders the torch, but fans the flame;
And Christ would have no say.
But Alas! I am no more than a shadow of my former self,
A living tomb where lies all that I love,
Survived only by myself;
With me, I carry iced mortal remains
Of my illusions, charming and passed away
Of which I am the shroud.
I am still too young; I want to love and to live,
O death, I can’t bring myself to follow you
On your somber path;
I haven’t had the time to build the column
Where glory will come to suspend my crown;
O death, come back tomorrow!