Delmore Schwartz
..
HOLDERLIN
Now as before do you not hear the nameless voices,
Serene in the midst of their rejoicing,
Chanting to those who have hopes and make choices,
Clear as the birds in the thick summer foliage:
It is! It is!
~e
are!
~e
are!
Clearly, as if they were us and yet not us,
Hidden like the future, distant as the stars,
Having no more meaning than the fullness of music,
Chanting from the blue peaks where success,
Effort and desire are meaningless,
Surpassed at last in the joy of joy,
Chanting enchanted the blue's last vow:
It is! It is!
This is eternity: eternity is now!
BAUDELAIRE
When I fall asleep, and even during sleep,
I hear, quite distinctly, voices speaking
Whole phrases, commonplace and trivial,
Having no relation to my affairs.
Dear mother, is any time left to us
In which to be happy? My debts are immense.
My bank account is subject to the court's judgment.
I know nothing. I cannot know anything.
I have lost the ability to make an effort.
But now as before my love for you increases.
