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I respect Faust as well as Dorian Gray, But the devil will never get my soul! Why did the gipsy prophecy me? They mentioned the day of my death to me... God may keep you save at that date, - Don’t mark it at your calendar - or In the last hour see and change it, Therefore I didn’t wait, because the crows are not reall Angels are wailing in order not to bleat, - That people not snigger in the shade, - Quicker protect and guard - Quicker! They have my soul Doubts and angst were sowed! ...I ask not much instead of immortality: A broad street, and a friend and a horse. I ask for obediently lowered head, On this day when I let myself go Don’t swim behind in the name of compassion.
© Elisabeth Jelinek. Translation, 2019