the relevance of the classics

Each has their own fate And their own wide road: One builds, another destroys, Another with insatiable eye Peers beyond the edge of the world — Seeking some land To seize and carry with him Into the grave. One picks aces At his in-law’s table, While another in the corner quietly Sharpens a knife for his brother. And yet another, quiet and sober, God-fearing, Creeps up like a little cat, Waits for an unhappy Moment — then sinks His claws into your liver, — And do not beg: neither children Nor wife will win your freedom. And another, generous and lavish, Forever building temples; And he so loves the fatherland, So grieves over it, Drains its poor blood Like water!.. And the brethren keep silent, Eyes wide open! Like lambs: “Let it be,” they say, “Perhaps it must be so.” Must be so! Because there is no God in heaven! And you, yoked, fall down And plead for some paradise In the next world? There is none! There is none! No use praying. Wake up: All in this world — Both princes and paupers — Are children of Adam. And this one… and that one… but what of me?! Here it is, good people: I feast and make merry On weekdays and Sundays. And you are bored! You grieve! By God, I don’t hear you, And don’t shout! I drink my own, Not the blood of men!