1. Springtime was a dreamy spirit,
Youthful, perfuming the robe.

2. It walked the world with a poet's idea,
And toured it in an enchanting procession.

3. The horizon, it filled with tenderness, as though
It were the heart of the generous creative existence.

4. And the universe, from the purity of life, is as though
It were a temple, and the forest like a prayer niche.

5. And the warbling poet dances chanting
To the sun above the roses and grass.

6. The poetry of happiness and peace and his soul
Is drunk on the magic of the enchanting world.

7. And the mountain snake saw him and was annoyed
By his joy and outpouring of youth.

8. So it pounced on him furiously, as though
It were the lash of fate and curse of the gods.

9. The wretch was ambushed and cried out in the horror of fate,
Looking around for rescuers.

10. And the poor fellow gushed as he screamed in revolt:
What have I done to deserve my punishment?

11. Nothing but that I was infatuated
With creation, singing in my forest.

12. I cast from the world a pure tenderness
And whispered to it the murmur of an innocent lover.

13. Is this considered a crime in existence?
Where is justice, O comrades of my youth?

14. No, where is it, for here the sacred law
Is the view of the strong, the idea of the victor.

15. And the happiness of the weak is a crime that
Has no fate with the strong other than harshest punishment.

16. So let the world, which I sang to, witness
The dreams of youth and the glory of fascination,

17. That peace is a false truth,
And justice the fading philosophy of the dying flame.

18. There is no justice unless might is equal
And terrorism clashes with terrorism.

19. The snake smiled a derisive smile
And answered arrogantly and mendaciously:

20. O you naïve chatterer, I grieve
For the revolt of your confused clamor.

21. The wise pardon a fool when he rages
With the confusion of youth in his agitated heart.

22. So restrain your raging emotions, they have
Strayed with your madness, and listen to my speech.

23. I am a god whom the people have long worshipped,
My shadow, and feared my curse and punishment.

24. And they came to me with offerings of sacrifices,
Happy like the most devout worshipper.

25. And the soul’s happiness is that one day
It becomes a sacrifice for the gods.

26. So it becomes in the spirit of divinity a holy
Morsel, saved from filth.

27. Does it not please you to be my sacrifice,
To dissolve into my flesh and nerves?

28. To become resolve in my blood, ardor
In my eyes, oneness in my fangs?

29. To melt into my endless spirit
And become part of my divinity and youth?

30. I wanted immortality made whole for you
In my enduring spirit across the eras.

31. So think to understand what I want, for it
Is loftier than the brief, fleeting life.

32. The warbler answered him in the throes of death
As it choked him: To you, my answer-

33. I see no echo of the weak truth,
Opinion is the victor’s opinion.

34. So do your will which you have willed
And spare your majesty from hearing my speech.

35. And so injustice becomes persuasive logic
To hide the ugliness of personal interests.