HEINRICH HEINE - Repositories

Oh then a more sullen rancor possesses me.
And I fain would shatter the new Temples,
And battle for you, ye ancient gods,—
For you and your good ambrosial cause.
And before your high altars.
Rebuilt with their extinguished fires.
Fain would I kneel and pray,
And supplicating uplift mine arms.
Always ye ancient gods,
Even in the battles of mortals,
Always did ye espouse the cause of the victor.
But man is more magnanimous than ye.
And in the battles of the gods, he now takes the part
Of the gods who have been vanquished.
Thus spake I, and lo, visibly blushed
Yonder the wan cloud figures.
And they gazed upon me like the dying.
Transfigured by sorrow, and suddenly disappeared.
The moon was concealed
Behind dark advancing clouds.
Loud roared the sea.
And triumphantly came forth in the heavens
The eternal stars.
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