The Blessed One


I am unable to suffer. I am someone,
by the pleasure of the gods, who can feel
no pain, and I live between a cradle
and a coffin, ignorant of your misfortunes.

Perhaps I myself am an Immortal.
Observe me well: do you see in me any
trace of your suffering? And all your collected
misery cannot avail to make me sad.

There is so much goodness in my heart that war
is a game to me; every face becomes beautiful
in my sight, every voice is a song.

And if you could give me for an hour a little
of your suffering, I would give you in exchange
the exalted happiness of which I am prisoner.


Umberto Saba (tr. George Hochfield and Leonard Nathan)