CUERVO - Biblioteca Nacional de Colombia

PARACELSUS
Dimly, the characters a simpler man
Might read distinct enough. Old eastern books
Say, the fallen prince of morning some short space
Remained unchanged Ul feature-nay, his brow
Seemed hued with triumph: every spirit then
Praising; his heart on flame the while :-a tale I
Well, Festus, what discover you, I pray?
Festus. Some foul deed sullies then a life which else
Were raised supreme?
Paracelsus. Good: I do well-most well !
Why strive to make men hear, feel, fret themselves
With what 'tis past their power to comprehend?
I would not strive now: only, having nursed
The faint surmise that one yet walked the earth,
One, at least, not the utter fool of show,
Not absolutely formed to be the dupe
Of shallow plausibilities alone;
One who, in youth found wise enough to choose
The happiness his riper years approve,
Was yet so anxious for another's sake,
That, ere his friend could rush upon a course
Mad, ruinous, the converse of his own,
His gentler spirit essayed, prejudged for him
The perilous path, foresaw its destiny,
And warned the weak one m such tender words,
Such accents-his whole heart in every tone­
That oft their memory comforted that friend
\Vhen rather it should have increased despair:
-Having believed, I say, that this one man
Could never lose the wisdom from the first
• His portion-how should I refuse to grieve
At even my gain if it attest his loss,
At triumph which so signally disturbs
Our old relation, provrng me more wise?
Therefore, once more reminding him how well
He prophesied, I note the single flaw
That spoils his prophet's title: in plain words
You were deceived, and thus were you deceived­
I have not been successful, and yet am
Most wretched; there-'tis said at last; but give
No credit, lest you force me to concede
That common sense yet lives upon the earth.
Festus. You surely do not mean to banter me?
Paracelsus. You know, or (if you have been wise enough
To cleanse your memory of such matters) knew,
As far as words of mine could make it clear,
That 'twas my purpose to find joy or grief
Solely in the fulfilment of my plan,
Or plot, or whatsoe'er it was; rejoicing
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