I’ve decided to return to the emperor’s court br once more I shall see if it’s possible to live there br I could stay here in this remote province br under the full sweet leaves of sycamores br under the rule of sickly nepotists br br when I return I don’t intend to commend myself br I shall applaud in measured portions br smile in ounces frown discreetly br for that they will not give me a golden chain br this iron one will suffice br br I’ve decided to return tomorrow or the next day br I cannot live among vineyards nothing here is mine br trees have no roots houses no foundations the rain is glassy flowers smell of wax br a dry cloud rattles against the empty sky br so I shall return tomorrow the next day in any case I shall return br br I must come to terms with my face again br with my lower lip so it knows how to check scorn br with my eyes so they remain ideally empty br and with that miserable chin the hare of my face br which trembles when the chief of guards walks in br br of one thing I am sure I will not drink wine with him br when he brings his goblet nearer I will lower my eyes br and pretend I’m picking bits of food from between my teeth br besides the emperor likes courage of convictions br to a certain extent to a certain reasonable extent br he is after all a man like everyone br and already tired by all those tricks with poison br he cannot drink his fill incessant chess br this left cup is for Drusus from the right one pretend to sip br then drink only water never lose sight of Tacitus br br take a walk in the garden and return when the copse has been removed br I’ve decided to return to the emperor’s court br I really hope that things will work out somehowbr br Zbigniew Herbertbr br