The End of the 19th Century

A curse?… But only savages in pain abuse their god that’s hiding in the air. An irony?… but how can you compare most dreadful scorns with every day’s disdain?

Contempt?… but only fools despise the weight that is too heavy for their feeble arms. Despair?… so hearing danger’s grim alarms just like a scorpion we end our fate?

Struggle?… but how an ant succeed in strife when thrust upon a rail before the train? Resignation?… but can there be less pain when we acquiesce to the butcher’s knife?

The future life?… The stars who can explore, and who can guess the ending of the world? Joy?… but at the bottom of our souls lie furled, those thoughts that mid enjoyment cry for more.

So what is left? In all the faiths of yore we find no comfort. Things for us are clear. What is your shield against the evil’s spear, man of the fin-de-siècle?… He spoke no more.

Koniec wieku (Przerwa-Tetmajer)