Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ASCENSION, by HEINRICH HEINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ASCENSION, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The body lay on the bier of death
Last Line: "but say, from vienna or munich instead."
Subject(s): Ascension Day; Death; Life; Religion; Soul; Dead, The; Theology


THE body lay on the bier of death,
While the poor soul, when gone its breath,
Escaping from earth's constant riot,
Was on its way to heavenly quiet.

Then knock'd it at the portal high,
And spake these words with a heavy sigh:
"Saint Peter, give me inside a place,
"I am so tired of life's hard race.

"On silken pillows I fain would rest
"In heaven's bright realms, and play my best
"With darling angels at blindman's-buff,
"Enjoying repose and bliss enough!"

A clatter of slippers ere long was heard,
A bunch of keys appear'd to be stirr'd,
And out of a lattice, the entrance near,
Saint Peter's visage was seen to peer.

He spake: "The vagabonds come again,
"The gipsies, Poles, and their beggarly train,
"The idlers and the Hottentots --
"They come alone and they come in knots,
"And fain would enter on heaven's bright rest,
"And there be angels, and there be blest.
"Halloa, halloa! For gallows' faces
"Like yours, for such contemptible races
"Were never created the halls of bliss, --
"Your portion's with Satan, far off from this.
"Away, away, and take your flight
"To the black pool of endless night." --

The old man thus growl'd, but hadn't the heart
To continue to play a blustering part,
So added these words, its spirits to cheer:
"Poor soul, in truth thou dost not appear
"To that base troop of rogues to belong --
"Well, well, I'll grant thy desire so strong,
"Because it is my birthday to-day,
"And I feel just now in a merciful way.
"But meanwhile tell me the country and place
"From whence thou comest; and was it the case
"That thou wast married? It happens sometimes
"A husband's patience atones for all crimes;
"A husband need not in hell to be stew'd,
"Nor need we him from heaven exclude."

The soul replied: "From Prussia I came,
"My native town is Berlin by name,
"There ripples the Spree, and in its bed
"The young cadets jump heels over head;
"It overflows kindly, when rains begin --
"A beautiful spot is indeed Berlin!
"I was a private teacher when there,
"And much philosophy read with care.
"I married a chanoinesse -- strange to say,
"She quarrell'd frightfully every day,
"Especially when in the house was no bread --
"'Twas this that kill'd me, and now I am dead.'

Saint Peter cried: "Alack, alack!
"Philosophy's but the trade of a quack.
"In truth it is a puzzle to me
"Why people study philosophy.
"It is such tedious and profitless stuff,
"And is moreover godless enough;
"In hunger and doubt their votaries dwell,
"Till Satan carries them off to hell.
"Well thy Xantippe might make exclamations
"Against the thin and washy potations
"From whence upon her, with comforting gleam
"No eye of fat could ever beam.
"But now, poor soul, pray comforted be!
"The strictest commands are given to me,
"'Tis true, that each who whilst he did live
"To philosophy used his attention to give,
"Especially to the godless German,
"Should be driven away from hence like vermin.
"Yet 'tis my birthday to-day, as I
"Have said, so there is a reason why
"I'll not reject thee, but ope for a minute
"The gate of heaven -- quick, enter within it
"With utmost speed --
"Now all is right!
"The whole of the day, from morn's first light
"Till late in the evening, thou canst walk
"Round heaven at will, and dreamily stalk
"Along its jewel-paved streets so fair;
"But mind, thou must not meddle when there
"With any philosophy, or I shall be
"Soon compromised most terribly.
"When angles thou hearest singing, assume
"A face of rapture, and never of gloom;
"But if an archangel sang the song,
"Be full of inspiration strong,
"And say that Malibran ne'er pretended
"To have a soprano so rich and splendid;
"And ever applaud each tuneful hymn
"Of cherubim and of seraphim.
"Compare them all with Signor Rubini,
"With Mario and Tamburini,
"Give them the title of Excellencies,
"And be not sparing of reverencies.
"The singers in heaven, as well as on earth,
"Have all loved flattery since their birth.
"The world's great Chapel-master on high,
"E'en. He is pleased when they glorify
"His works, and delighteth to hear ador'd
"The wonders of God, the mighty Lord,
"And when a psalm to His glory and praise
"In thickest incense clouds they raise.

"Forget me not. Whenever to thee
"The glory of heaven causes ennui,
"Then hither come, and at cards we'll play.
"All games alike are in my way,
"From doubledummy to faro I'll go, --
"We'll also drink. But, apropos,
"If thou should'st meet, when going from hence,
"The Lord, and He should ask thee from whence
"Thou com'st, let no word of Berlin be said,
"But say, from Vienna or Munich instead."





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