NATURE
by: Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883)
- DREAMED I had come into an immense
underground temple with lofty arched roof. It was filled with
a sort of underground uniform light.
-
- In the very middle of the temple sat a majestic woman in
a flowing robe of green colour. Her head propped on her hand,
she seemed buried in deep thought.
-
- At once I was aware that this woman was Nature herself; and
a thrill of reverent awe sent an instantaneous shiver through
my inmost soul.
-
- I approached the sitting figure, and making a respectful
bow, 'O common Mother of us all!' I cried, 'of what is thy meditation?
Is it of the future destinies of man thou ponderest? or how he
may attain the highest possible perfection and happiness?'
-
- The woman slowly turned upon me her dark menacing eyes. Her
lips moved, and I heard a ringing voice like the clang of iron.
-
- 'I am thinking how to give greater power to the leg-muscles
of the flea, that he may more easily escape from his enemies.
The balance of attack and defence is broken. . . . It must be
restored.'
-
- 'What,' I faltered in reply, 'what is it thou art thinking
upon? But are not we, men, thy favourite children?'
-
- The woman frowned slightly. 'All creatures are my children,'
she pronounced, 'and I care for them alike, and all alike I destroy.'
-
- 'But right . . . reason . . . justice . . .' I faltered again.
-
- 'Those are men's words,' I heard the iron voice saying. 'I
know not right nor wrong. . . . Reason is no law for me -- and
what is justice? -- I have given thee life, I shall take it away
and give to others, worms or men . . . I care not. . . . Do thou
meanwhile look out for thyself, and hinder me not!'
-
- I would have retorted . . . but the earth uttered a hollow
groan and shuddered, and I awoke.
"Nature" is reprinted
from Dream Tales and Prose Poems. Ivan Turgenev. (Trans.
Constance Garnett). New York: The Macmillan Company, 1920. |
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POEMS BY IVAN TURGENEV |
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