2. As a poet Mickiewicz first gained
attention with his “Ballads and
Romances”. This collection of
poems opened the romantic era
in Polish literature. Following
this, Mickiewicz wrote the
fantastic drama “Forefathers'
Eve” (1823-32), in which Poland
had a messianic role among the
nations of Western Europe. The
drama presents a vision of the
country where the sufferings of
Polish nation are equated with
the Passion of Christ.
3. ODE TO YOUTH
No Heart, no Spirit – Lo! cadaverous crowds! O Youth!
Pass me thy wings, And let me o’er the dead earth soar;
Let me vanish in delusion’s clouds, Where many the Zeal
begets a wonder And grows a flower of novelty up
yonder, Adorned in Hope’s enamellings.
Who by his elder age shall darkened be His toilsome
forehead to the ground bent low, Let him no more
perceive or know Than his thus lowered selfish eyes may
see.
Youth! Up and over the horizons rise, And smoothly
penetrate With Thy all-seeing eyes The nations small and
great.
Lo there! The space of dearth, Where putrid vapors in
the chaos wrestle: ’Tis Earth! Up from the waters where
the dead wind blows A shell-clad Reptile rose. He is his
own rudder, sailor and vessel. He often dives and rises
up with little trouble, For some smaller brutes he craves,
The waves cleave not to him nor he to the waves; And
suddenly he bumps upon a rock and bursts like a bubble.
Nobody knew his life, and of his death nobody wists.
Egoists…
