Life and the Ideal by Friedrich Schiller

By Friedrich Schiller

Nov 25, 2023

∙ Paid

Athanadoros, Hagesandros, and Polydoros of Rhodes, Laocoön and his Sons, early first century C.E., marble, 7'10 1/2" high (Vatican Museums; photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Featured in New Lyre Summer 2022

Forever calm and fair and crystal clear
Flows life upon Olympus’ tranquil plains,
Among its changeless climes and deathless race.
Moons trace their routes and countless ages wane,
But carefree and above all vanity
Unfurls the splendid rose of youth divine.
Yet mortal man has but a choice between
Sensual joy and true seren…

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