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- 03/30/2024
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
The Ultimate Vehicle of Earthly Bliss - 11. Release
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Ein Lied vom Tod
(an Novalis gegeben)
Sieh wie zärtlich ist der Tod –
Kommt mit weichen leisen Händen,
Nimmt dir deine letzte Not
Laß dich nicht vom Leben schänden
Sieh wie zärtlich ist der Tod
Flammend rot sind seine Kränze
Und du neigst dich seinen Küssen
Und er führt dich zu der Grenze,
Wo du schweigst vor selgem Wissen
Flammend rot sind seine Kränze.
Heimat ist für dich der Tod
Heimatlos war dir das Leben
Herz, zerbrich nun deine Not –
Darfst einmal dein Letztes geben
Darfst – einmal – dein – Letztes – geben. [i]
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Death’s Song
(Actually by Novalis)
See how loving Death can be –
Coming with such gentle, soft hands
To negate every last need
And keep life from ravaging you
See how loving Death can be
Flaming red are his laurel wreaths
While you’re bending to his kisses
While he leads you to the border,
Where knowledge itself is quiet
Flaming red are his laurel wreaths.
For Death is a home for you
And life nothing but homelessness
So heart, negate your last need –
Allow yourself to give your all
Allow – for once – your – final – release.
[i] “Ein Lied vom Tod” Toni Schwabe, Ibid., p. 61
https://archive.org/details/3476447/page/60/mode/2up
Schwabe’s annotation of “an Novalis gegeben” presents a problem. A cursory glance might suggest her meaning is that the poem was “Provided to Novalis.” On reflection, however, this seems an odd thing to say. Presented when, and by whom? In other words, why not credit the poet who actually wrote it, and not Novalis as the mere receiver of the work?
An equally plausible understanding of the phrase is “Actually by Novalis,” which I have used. Poets through the centuries have written pieces in the style of admired predecessors, and many of the creators have said these works were “Actually by” so and so.
In any event – provided to, or actually by – Death’s Song was certainly written by Toni Schwabe.
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