I’ve decided to return to the emperor’s court <br />once more I shall see if it’s possible to live there <br />I could stay here in this remote province <br />under the full sweet leaves of sycamores <br />under the rule of sickly nepotists <br /> <br />when I return I don’t intend to commend myself <br />I shall applaud in measured portions <br />smile in ounces frown discreetly <br />for that they will not give me a golden chain <br />this iron one will suffice <br /> <br />I’ve decided to return tomorrow or the next day <br />I cannot live among vineyards nothing here is mine <br />trees have no roots houses no foundations the rain is glassy flowers smell of wax <br />a dry cloud rattles against the empty sky <br />so I shall return tomorrow the next day in any case I shall return <br /> <br />I must come to terms with my face again <br />with my lower lip so it knows how to check scorn <br />with my eyes so they remain ideally empty <br />and with that miserable chin the hare of my face <br />which trembles when the chief of guards walks in <br /> <br />of one thing I am sure I will not drink wine with him <br />when he brings his goblet nearer I will lower my eyes <br />and pretend I’m picking bits of food from between my teeth <br />besides the emperor likes courage of convictions <br />to a certain extent to a certain reasonable extent <br />he is after all a man like everyone <br />and already tired by all those tricks with poison <br />he cannot drink his fill incessant chess <br />this left cup is for Drusus from the right one pretend to sip <br />then drink only water never lose sight of Tacitus <br /> <br />take a walk in the garden and return when the copse has been removed <br />I’ve decided to return to the emperor’s court <br />I really hope that things will work out somehow<br /><br />Zbigniew Herbert<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-return-of-the-proconsul/
