Night Rounds Read Online Free PDF Page A

Welt …..
    (In this world)
    The living room is spinning round and round now. Only the violinist remains stationary.
    nicht nur den Einen …..
    (There is not just one)
    As a child, you were always frightened in those whirling contraptions that go faster and faster and are called "caterpillars." Remember…
    Es gibt so viele …..
    (There are so many)
    You used to howl, but it was no use. The caterpillar kept on whirling.
    Es gibt so viele …..
    You insisted on getting into those caterpillars. Why?
    Ich lüge auch…..
    (I lie too)
    They stand up, clapping … The living room is whirling, whirling. It almost seems to be tipping. They'll lose their balance. The vases of Bowers will be smashed on the Boor. The violinist sings in urgent tones.
    Ich lüge auch
    You howled, but it was no use. No one could hear you above the hubbub of the fair.
    Es muss ja Lüge sein
    (It has to be a lie)
    The Lieutenant's face. Ten, twenty other faces there's no time to identify. The living room is whirling much too fast, like the caterpillar called "Sirocco" in Luna Park.
    den ich gewählt …..
    (The one I chose)
    After five minutes it was whirling so fast you couldn't recognize the faces of those who stayed below, watching.
    Heute dir gehören …..
    (Today belongs to you)
    Still, as you swept past, occasionally you could pick out a nose, a hand, a laugh, a set of teeth, or a pair of staring eyes. The Lieutenant's deep blue eyes. Ten, twenty other faces. Those whose addresses you just gave and who will be arrested tonight. Luckily, they rush by in time with the music and you don't have a chance to assemble their features.
    und Liebe schwören …..
    (And vows his love)
    His voice races on even faster, he clutches his violin with the haggard look of a castaway...
    Ich liebe jeden …..
    (I love them all)
    The others clap, clap, clap. Their cheeks are distended, their eyes wild, they will all surely die of a stroke . . .
    Ich lüge auch …..
    (I lie too)
    The Lieutenant's face. Ten, twenty other faces whose features are now discernible. They are about to be arrested. They seem to be calling you to account. For a few minutes you aren't the least bit sorry for giving their addresses. Caught in the fearless stare of these heroes, you're even tempted to scream out at the top of your lungs just what you are: a stool pigeon. But, inch by inch, the glaze on their faces chips away, their arrogance pales, and the conviction that glistened in their eyes vanishes like the flame of a snuffed-out candle. A tear makes its way down the cheek of one of them. Another lowers his head and glances at you sadly. Still another stares at you dazedly, as if he didn't expect that from you….
    Als ihr bleicher Leib im Wasser …..
    (As her pale corpse in the water)
    Their faces rotate, very slowly. They murmur gentle reproaches as they pass. Then, while they're still turning, their faces contract, they ignore you now, and their eyes and their mouths convey a hideous fear. Surely they're thinking of what's in store for them. They've become like those children who cry out for mama in the dark…
    Von den Bächen in die grösseren Flüsse …..
    (From the brooks into the greater streams)
    You recall all the nice things they did for you. One of them used to read you his girl's letters.
    Als ihr bleicher Leib im Wasser…..
    (As her pale corpse in the water)
    Another wore black leather shoes. Another could name every star in the sky. REMORSE. These faces will go on turning forever and you'll never sleep soundly again. But something the Lieutenant said comes back to you: "The guys in my outfit are tough as they come. They'll die if they have to, but you won't wring a word from them." All the better. Once more their faces turn to stone. The Lieutenant's deep blue eyes. Ten, twenty other faces laden with scorn. If they want to die like heroes, let them die!
    Aus der Flüssen in das Meer …..
    (From the rivers to the sea)
    He is silent. He has propped his violin against the