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Jan Andrzej Morsztyn
Jan Andrzej Morsztyn - INCONSTANCY
INCONSTANCY
1
Sooner one will bag the wind, sooner one will place
Into his pocket tiny pieces of sunrays,
Sooner the blustering sea by threats he will calm,
Sooner he'll grasp the enormous world in his palm,
Sooner without harm he'll put out fire with his fist,
Sooner he will capture in the net cloudy mist,
Sooner, while crying, he will flood Etna with tears,
Sooner the mute will sing, and one with insane fears
Speak wisely; sooner Fortune will show the same face
And death and laughter will live in one dwelling place,
Sooner the poet and vain dream tell a true tale,
Sooner tears will not be fruitful for the angel,
2
Sooner the sun will hide in a cave for the night,
Peace will be in prison, men in desert abide,
Sooner all reason will perish and words will flee,
Than any fair lady will ever constant be.
Translated by Michael J. Mikoś
Notes
1
The poem was inspired by Giambattisto Marino, the main representative of Italian baroque.
2
The angel's tears will not help the unfortunate person for whom the angel laments.