شعری زیبا از فریدریش هولدرلین

The Course of Life
Translations by James Mitchell

You too wanted better things, but love

forces all of us down. Sorrow bends us more

forcefully, but the arc doesn't return to its

.point of origin without a reason

Upwards or downwards! In holy Night

where mute Nature plans the coming days

doesn't there reign in the most twisted Orcus

?something straight and direct

This I have learned. Never to my knowledge

did you, all-preserving gods, like mortal

masters, lead me providentially

.along a straight path

The gods say that man should test

everything, and that strongly nourished

he be thankful for everything, and understand

.the freedom to set forth wherever he will