Human, All Too Human · Friedrich Nietzsche

Part 1: An Epode, Among Friends

15 of 28 · 1 min of reading

AN EPODE.

AMONG FRIENDS.

(Translated by T. COMMON.)

Nice, when mute we lie a-dreaming,

Nicer still when we are laughing,

'Neath the sky heaven's chariot speeding,

On the moss the book a-reading,

Sweetly loud with friends all laughing

Joyous, with white teeth a-gleaming.

Do I well, we're mute and humble;

Do I ill--we'll laugh exceeding;

Make it worse and worse, unheeding,

Worse proceeding, more laughs needing,

Till into the grave we stumble.

Friends! Yea! so shall it obtain?

Amen! Till we meet again.

II.

No excuses need be started!

Give, ye glad ones, open hearted,

To this foolish book before you

Ear and heart and lodging meet;

Trust me, 'twas not meant to bore you,

Though of folly I may treat!

What I find, seek, and am needing,

Was it e'er in book for reading?

Honour now fools in my name,

Learn from out this book by reading

How "our sense" from reason came.

Thus, my friends, shall it obtain?

Amen! Till we meet again.

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End of part 15 of 28