Page 19 and 20

Thus, if all this did not exist on earth,
What would, exactly - be the purpose of a satirist?!" -

That he spoke, then disappeared into the dark night. -

I was soon red and soon sick,
"Surprised yet again,
I hadn't thought of that! -
Man alive!" this crossed my mind:
"I shouldn't write any more poems?!
And the world ought not to abide satirists?!
That is not possible, that cannot be!"

And in my cheeks I felt my blood rushing,
And I felt a hotness burning in my heart,
"No, no," I shouted out, "I'll admit this:
I have erred! Morality is good!!
It is the holiest of earth's good things,
We all, all live because of it,
hail it and its brave guardian!" -
And off I went with apprehensive steps,
To ask for the lawyer's apology,
And humbly I knocked on his door.

I would speak just like a book

And repentfully grasp his knees -

But he had a lady visitor --

So, regretfully - I wasn't admitted.

[End of chapter 1: The Invention of Morality.]

Page 18

The newspapers already accuse me so,
I lacked the holy wrath,
But now a way and a goal beckon me!
Smash me if you will, but I must change them!" -

"On the contrary!" said Satan frigidly,
"I value such unselfish action!
Always combat only the false morals,
When your outrage is so high and sincere,
But first deliberate once more,
Whether morality - is actually so bad!

Because of morality the whole world lives,
that is, it holds mankind together.
Because of morality we have both
high and low officers of morality.
Because of morality we have censors,
the noble-born lawyers.
Because of morality we have the common people,
the marriage brokers and newlyweds.
Because of morality we have tenants of virtue,
the fortune hunters, the counsel daughters,
Hypocrites and saps live in good silence,
Falseness and foolishness live - and you live, too! ---

Page 17

So spoke the devil. - But I began to tremble
as a heroic plan bubbled within.
Never before in my entire life
had this magnificent feeling occurred.
"Satan!" I yelled with a haughty gesture,
"You have measured with great cunning
the egotism of the giants of the world.
But you have forgotten one thing!
One thing, Satan, that you forgot,
That stands here before you in shame and outrage:
The satirist is he, the uncorrupted poet,
He who knows no selfish interests.
He who would reveal your dirty pact!
I want to speak to young and old
and wish to accomplish my high duty.
And wish to hold a mirror up to the world.

I'll bellow in the ear of humankind
And drive them to a spring of genuine truth. -

Page 15/16

Thus, we created a monopoly
much like tobacco and alcohol,
as the state wore the people out,
with a design - called "wedlock."

The consumer must pay his taxes,
Moreover, he needs a church blessing,
But he can't do it all,
So - he falls into my claws!

The state first deliberated for a while,
Because they are always somewhat sluggish,
The church immediately understood me. -
So we kept humankind in groups:
Taxmen, clerks, and clerics -

And in doing so, I still stand strong!"

Page 14

So now I sat and lamented long,
And I commenced to rack my poor brain:
"Now, where can I find sinning people?" -
But gradually it began to hit me:
"If man," so I said after a short time,
"Doesn't do what's forbidden,
Then the quick and easy solution:
Forbid what he does! -
Listen well - in this hour,
Whipped up from imperiousness and mental wretchedness,

I invented morality! -

It was a colossal idea!!

Man degenerated into plight instantly,
Descended into conflict and got off track -
Since those old days my rule has thrived,
And claimed millions of subjects!" -

---

My head whirled. Yet diligently
Satan went on: "Every invention has
an initial requirement - the financial foundation.
So I needed a mighty ally.

I betook myself to churches and states
and with them created a triumvirate.
"My good sirs," I said, "I have developed
a phenomenal tax object:
Carnality is the height of life on earth,
This point can be counted on!

Page 13

"Well, that had long been my desire. --
Thus, I searched for my vassals,
Yet when I looked at this business in the cold light of day,
Then I saw I was lost -
Because sinners didn't yet exist on the earth.
Man, as is generally known, had only two drives:
Sensuality - and appetite;

He had meat and vegetables and love,
so he had an untainted mind.

Pages 9/10/11/12

"And was born in a holy place
An angel with an innocent lily.

Yet not long could I abide the above,
I could feel that it was unfeasible,

I began to drill and to rummage,

And one day - I flew afar.
I fell off the world and fell into the abyss -
Thankfully, without bodily harm -
And next to me lay a pink slip,
that decreed my disciplinary transfer.

I was appointed the king of the evil.
To lord and rule over the sinners,
over the sacrilegious human beings.