Faust I 1544-1571
The earth’s a prison—one can’t get away From it, whatever clothes one wears. I’m still too young to lack desires, Not young enough now for mere play. What satisfaction can life hold? Do without, do without! That old Command pursues us down the years Endlessly echoing in our ears— The same old hoarse repeated song Heard hour by hour our whole life long! With each new dawn I wake aghast, My eyes with bitter tears are filled To think that when this day has passed I’ll not have had one single wish fulfilled, That even my presentiments of joy Will die of nagging scruples, and life’s mess Of trivial impediments destroy My active soul’s creativeness. When the night falls, I seek my bed With anxious fears, with many a sigh, But find no peace: with sights of dread Wild dreams torment me as I lie. And though a god lives in my heart, Though all my powers waken at his word, Though he can move my every inmost part— Yet nothing in the outer world is stirred. Thus by existence tortured and oppressed I crave for death, I long for rest.
translated by: David Luke