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Jan Kochanowski
JAN KOCHANOWSKI - On Human Life
ON HUMAN LIFE
Eternal Thought
1
, existing longer than Time's span,
If You are ever moved by the same thing as man,
I believe in heaven You must have a true show
2
,
Looking at various matters of this world below.
You barely toss something out, when we, like children,
Will snatch up even scraps in this turmoil and din,
One will have his sleeve torn off, one will lose his cap;
While still another will lose some hair in this scrap.
At the very end misfortune or death sets in,
And one will soon drop those trinkets, though unwilling.
Lord, if I may, let me feel this pleasure with You,
Let others fight on, while I wonder at the view.
Translated by Michael J. Mikoś
Notes
1
Eternal Thought is a philosophical description of God.
2
During the carnival festivities of Shrovetide sweets were often tossed to the crowd and many people fought for them.