An
enemy of the State?!
It’s
an old fable
That
people are still blissfully swallowing.
Born
in Constantinople? Foreigner!
Studied
at Saint-Cyr? Soldier!
Traitor!
Accomplice to Dumouriez!
And a
poet? Corrupter of hearts
And
mores!
I
once lived joyfully
Without
hatred or vengeance
Pure,
innocent and strong.
I
thought myself a giant
But
I’m just a servant
Who’s
changed masters.
An
obedient servant to violent passions!
Ah,
worse yet! I kill and tremble,
And
while I kill, I weep!
Me, a
son of the Revolution,
The
first to hear its cry
For the
world, I united that cry to my own.
Have
I now lost faith
In
that dream of destiny?
Oh
how my path
Shone
with glory!
The
heart’s conscience
Reawakening
the people,
Gathering
up the tears
Of
the vanquished and suffering,
Making
the world a Pantheon,
Changing
men into gods;
And
in one kiss,
In
one kiss and one embrace
To
love all mankind!
Juan Pons in Giordano's Andrea Chenier.
Met,
1996.
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