The Lord bears all that He afflicts and loves
Up and away Elijah-wise.
Fervent and swift the hearts He gives to them:
These are their chariots of fire.

But those Elijahs, soaring Heavenward,
Remain in endless winter fast;
Their chariots clatter, raising clouds of snow,
O’er frozen Himalayan crests.

There, doleful-exiled between Earth and Heaven
The wind of Fate flings them afar.
Malign and frigid is the loveliness
Toward which speeds Elijah’s car.

Icicle-hung their brains, their hearts afire,
The earth-bound view them with disdain,
But with cold diamond-dust the pitying Sun
Bestrews the ice along their way.

Translated by: Bernard Adams

Tags: Endre Ady