Life and the Ideal by Friedrich Schiller

By Friedrich Schiller

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 serenity, 
Whilst on the beaming Heavens' brow, 
They’re effortlessly wed.

If you desire to be god-like on Earth,
To finally be free from the threat of death,
Think twice before you pluck the fruit. 
Your eyes can feed on their charms forever, 
But joy’s desires will always quickly wane 
And be consumed by endless transience. 
Even Ceres' daughter could not escape 
As she sailed the nine-fold rivers of Styx:
She grasped the apple and then sealed her fate 
Among the shades of Orcus. 

The Fates alone hold sway over the flesh 
And every perishable thing that dwells 
Below within Earth’s turbid vortexes. 
But high above their reach, within fair realms 
And in th…