Bertolt Brecht
The Mask Of Evil
On my wall hangs a Japanese carving, The mask of an evil demon, decorated with gold lacquer. Sympathetically I observe The swollen veins of the forehead, indicating What a strain it is to be
Questions From A Worker Who Reads
Who built Thebes of the seven gates? In the books you will find the names of kings. Did the kings haul up the lumps of rock? And Babylon, many times demolished Who raised it
Ich habe dich nie je so geliebt
[Original] Ich habe dich nie je so geliebt, ma soeur Als wie ich fortging von dir in jenem Abendrot. Der Wald schluckte mich, der blaue Wald, ma soeur Über dem immer schon die bleichen
To read in the morning and at night
Morgens und abends zu lesen Der, den ich liebe Hat mir gesagt DaЯ er mich braucht. Darum Gebe ich auf mich acht Sehe auf meinen Weg und Fürchte von jedem Regentropfen DaЯ er mich
What Has Happened?
The industrialist is having his aeroplane serviced. The priest is wondering what he said in his sermon eight weeks ago About tithes. The generals are putting on civvies and looking like bank clerks. Public
I Never Loved You More
I never loved you more, ma soeur Than as I walked away from you that evening. The forest swallowed me, the blue forest, ma soeur The blue forest and above it pale stars in
On Reading A Recent Greek Poet
After the wailing had already begun Along the walls, their ruin certain, The Trojans fidgeted with bits of wood In the three-ply doors, itsy-bitsy Pieces of wood, fussing with them. And began to get
Kinderhymne (Children's Hymn)
[original] Anmut sparet nicht noch Mьhe Leidenschaft nicht noch Verstand DaЯ ein gutes Deutschland blьhe Wie ein andres gutes Land DaЯ die Vцlker nicht erbleichen Wie vor einer Rдuberin Sondern ihre Hдnde reichen Uns
On The Critical Attitude
The critical attitude Strikes many people as unfruitful That is because they find the state Impervious to their criticism But what in this case is an unfruitful attitude Is merely a feeble attitude. Give
How Fortunate The Man With None
You saw sagacious Solomon You know what came of him, To him complexities seemed plain. He cursed the hour that gave birth to him And saw that everything was vain. How great and wise
From A German War Primer
AMONGST THE HIGHLY PLACED It is considered low to talk about food. The fact is: they have Already eaten. The lowly must leave this earth Without having tasted Any good meat. For wondering where
I want to go with the one I love
[Original] Ich will mit dem gehen, den ich liebe. Ich will nicht ausrechnen, was es kostet. Ich will nicht nachdenken, ob es gut ist. Ich will nicht wissen, ob er mich liebt. Ich will
O Germany, Pale Mother!
Let others speak of her shame, I speak of my own. O Germany, pale mother! How soiled you are As you sit among the peoples. You flaunt yourself Among the besmirched. The poorest of
Send Me A Leaf
Send me a leaf, but from a bush That grows at least one half hour Away from your house, then You must go and will be strong, and I Thank you for the pretty
To Those Born After
To the cities I came in a time of disorder That was ruled by hunger. I sheltered with the people in a time of uproar And then I joined in their rebellion. That’s how