Prometheus by Wolfgang von Goethe

Translation

Celebrating the life of Johan Wolfgang Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) with original translations of his finest ballads and poems. In “Prometheus,” the poet comes of age and recognizes his own sovereign creative independence. He does so in the face of Zeus, who wished to deny mankind knowledge of fire.

So cover up thy heaven, Zeus,
With cloudy mist!
And like a boy, who chops
The heads from thistles,
Go blast the oaks and mountaintops!
Yet thou must permit me
To keep my world,
And my rude dwelling,
That thou didst not build,
And my warm hearth,
Whose cheerful glow
Fills thee with envy.

I know nothing shabbier
Under the sun than ye godlings!
Ye nourish mis'rably,
With sacrifices
And with prayer-breath,
Your poor majesty,
And but for fools' hope
From children and beggars,
All of you would famish.

Back in my childhood,
I didn't know up from down,
And I cast erratic glances
Up yonder, as if yonder were
An ear to hear my lamentation,
A heart like mine,
One to take pity on the trampled.

Who …