Bertolt Brecht

The Augsburger walks with Dante through the hell of the departed. He addresses the inconsolable and reports to them that on earth some things have changed. When I’d reported to the couple, thus That up there no one murders now for gain Since no one owns a thing, the faithless spouse Who’d beguiled that woman so improperly Lifted his hand, now tied to hers by chains And looked at her and turned perplexed to me So no one steals, if  there’s no property? I shook my head. And as their hands just touched I saw a blush suffuse the woman’s cheeks. He saw it too and cried, She hasn’t once Shown so much since the day she was seduced! And murmuring, Then there’s no abstinence? They moved off swiftly. And the ties that fused Them tight were of no weight or consequence. Translated from the German

No need to drive a nail into the wall To hang your hat on; When you come in, just drop it on the chair No guest has sat on. Don’t worry about watering the flowers— In fact, don’t plant them. You will have gone back home before they bloom, And who will want them? If mastering the language is too hard, Only be patient; The telegram imploring your return Won’t need translation. Remember, when the ceiling sheds itself In flakes of plaster, The wall that keeps you out is crumbling too, As fast or faster. Translated from the German by Adam Kirsch