World's Longest Palindrome with True Quality (Full Translation)

NEW HISTORY
FULL TRANSLATION FROM FINNISH
THE WORLD’S LONGEST PALINDROME WITH TRUE QUALITY
BY
HARRI CARLSON

THIS TRANSLATION OF THE ORIGINAL FINNISH VERSION IS
NOT A PALINDROME ANYMORE, GOOD HEAVENS!
To read the full palindrome in Finnish
please see my original SlideShare:
”The longest palindrome in the world”.
ATTENTION! NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE
Some pictures used in this slideshow may include restrictions for
commercial purposes. All pictures are taken from Google Images with
filter which allows non-commercial use.

.
The whole idea is …well, let´s be honest:
ALMOST TOO CRAZY TO BE TRUE!
How about an English translation of Finnish palindrome with over 30 000 words?
No, this English translation isn’t anymore a palindrome. But still…
This book shows that ‘constrained writing’ really is a key to
wonderful literature, poetry and true art!
This book also tells the world that:
Finnish is the most unique and amazing language in the world!

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The original Finnish version of “New History” is the only real book in the world, which can be read also
backwards. It includes two parts.
1.New History: The world’s history written so, that it can be read also backwards
This history-part is truly excellent Finnish.
2. Chaos: Our history backwards. This part is mostly only words, names or short sentences .
So Chaos-part is quite a...rubbish, but anyway, Finnish all the way!
New History + Chaos = A real palindrome (in Finnish).
This book is revolutionary in the field of palindromes. First time a talent to create palindromes is used as a
tool to write real novel which can be taken seriously among wider public. Restricted writing guarantees, that
the text is full of magical beauty. I could never have written this book with normal "easy" way. Only with
palindromic-technique it started to live.
Although this English translation is not anymore a palindrome, it was still worth of writing. Finnish may be
the most amazing language, but written English is one of the most beautiful languages in the world.
Combining these two languages made the book even more magical. The final result is a mythical song of our
history. And all the time, the original background lies in a real palindrome. Most of all it shows the power of
restricted writing. Palindrome is not anymore just “ a funny and awkward hobby” but a serious art mode.
The original Finnish palindrome goes like this: Start, slide 5…Middle, slide 149…. End, slide 184.
.

NEW HISTORY
Oh light,
please be gentle.
Come, bring down this everlasting darkness and
icy nightmare.
And the crashing shine became.
The infinite space was real, and oh so close.
The rippling waters were singing at the moonlight.
Somewhere beneath the rocky grounds the lava-
rivers were running and burying gases.
The planet was cooling down,
quiet, without a single voice.
This… this must be a dream!

.
Dear Earth, be blue and create even more that deep blueness.
Let the wonderful mist rise.
Oh look, the earth is so beautiful.
So sweet, so severe, so tender and timelessly silent.
But the ocean was all the time open.
And so it was a loving mother for the cells
A lightning! Two! Six hundred lightning strike there!
Then, eternally came some oxygen, odourless hydrogen,
titanium, lots of melting iron, silicon and tin.
Some cells start to copy themselves. How very convenient!
6

.
The oxides were hissing.
Is this shriveling time finally really ending?
Please come. Look at this creation
and be enchanted by every single moment of it.
Slimy stuff, in other words a soup of bacteria, is clotting.
Though it is not yet time for bugs and gastropods.
But anyway, at least blue-green alga is already sneaking
in this infertile scenery.
A sulfur-organism is getting flagellum-legs.
And that’s it!!
Soon they all come forward to the skins of those minor mites:
Tiny fins, funny jumping limbs and scale gliders.
7

..
But they all shall live without a belly button
until the mammals make their entrance
with a mighty slam dunk.
So at first there comes a line of some fungi
and fine-grained worms.
Also the toads are stepping to the ground.
Oh what a cute female frog there
stands still and watches the starry sky…
It seems that the life is wobbling from the
sea to these sandy necks right now.
8

.
A dew fell like an eternal vail of water drops.
The Earth was always changing.
There comes the pre-bluebells.
That period, The Devonian, was like a hot road.
Rains, enormous downpours even,
pushed forward both flora and fauna.
And so they all had become: trees, ferns, nutrient
bushes, bryophyte and flowers. The whole evolution
was a truly overwhelming and inspiring sight.
Suddenly all those wide neighborhoods were quite
inhabited.
Like a beautiful maiden, Goddess Gaia sleeps under the
moonlight…
… at home.
9

.
The little creatures get the most excellent arsenals of teeth, and so
they are able to bite the others. But soon this fact causes some very
radical disadvantages. Some other may get killed, you see. On the
other hand the buffét table suited well for those saw-jaws. The
predators started to grow. And straight away the feast began.
Sweet as sugar cubes small species stared at the rise of the
dinosaurs. But unfortunately they did not pay attention to those
hungry mouths. So they end up chopped and chewed.
Wonderful and deep blue. Somewhere beneath…
the lizard blood is boiling. A cartilaginous fish is chasing a
’whipper squid’. And so a tragedy took place under the surface.
The water is dark now. To meet the mighty harness whales is an
honor for a big bone fish, isn’t it? Well, in the next moment it may
withdraw the arena quite silent…
as a carrion.
10

.
The Jurassic period opens the gate for greedy ”birds”.
Little cowards are hiding immobile, while up there
stalks the pigeon-squad most beasty one. A flying
dinosaur wants to pick up some tasty ‘take away’.
Hundreds of millions years ago an open sky fills up
with giant magpies, huge quacker-gannets,
big mouthed duck creatures,
lizard-like jackdaws and whale-ospreys.
Are these flying orcs of Mordor hungry for raw meat?
I’m afraid they are.
11

.
And then dawned the next period called Cretaceous.
An army of cunning dinosaurs is lumbering in this opening ceremony
of a war. All their weapons are in constant readiness. T-rex is getting
very angry. To ease this inner pressure it hits down one
scabby Saw-saurus.
The earth was quaking . What a terrible noise!
Tyranno- and Skewer-saurus were both falling down. Velociraptors
are not in a cherishing mood today. They overthrow the others to
the ground. What an excellent team-killer, you may say!
But even this is not enough. The shivering coldness arrives behind
this sky. Enormous territories are freezing. An evil darkness finds it’s
way here. Why, oh why must that meteorite crash exactly there?
The land of dinosaurs was destroyed. The melting night-sky rocked
them off to sleep. It is raining ashes. Next day will never rise again.
The eternal kingdom of our monstrous friends vanished into thin air.
Extinction!
12

.
But soon the dark times were left behind again.
Here trample and totter already the mammals.
A vast plain spreads out on the surface of the earth. Right there a pre-
elephant brings some leftovers. Spot headed hyena smells the meal first...
Or then maybe not – a peculiar wolf-beast steels it’s dinner in the end.
On that savannah is tiptoeing this and that.
It is time for the great land mammals.
This furious epoch presents us pre-species from whales to bulls. There, a
chatty little horse creature takes some snack of hay. The laughter of this
grass-nibbler is contagious. And so, some ancestor sheep join the party
saying: ”Baah!”
But insatiable scavenger dogs are winning this prey-lottery tonight.
That means breakfast for the crows. So let the wildest raven rave begin!!
Even an old tiger takes part with it’s shiny sable now red and bloody.
13

,
Now I notice the monkeys.
A cheerful godinotia, that minimal naked fellow, is like a lovely little Lucifer.
Wow, it grabs the branches with those skillful hands. Well, that’s new.
Stand at attention and sing for it’s glory! In a way it is our forefather.
A great Lilliput, I must say.
An ’individual’ is climbing up…and falling down.
Oh, you mean, that the monkeys landed from the trees by a rattling accident?
Tada! While soon there is all sorts of stepper-apes on the ground.
Do you already hear their voice?
This strong and sturdy alpha male may rule all these females of the pack
night after night. The conqueror beast rose on two legs to look even more
handsome. Perhaps the gathering demanded also two hands a little bit later.
Click!
Since that day, the mind started to progress and the brainpan to grow.
14

.
Long time ago, in the region of present Kenya…
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps!
This cycle passes the gorillas. At this very moment I see a Habilis.
Please come, powerful Homo-genus. Finally we can meet those
close relatives of our species
I suppose you are looking at that same period too. Homo Erectus is
standing nicely. Quite a dude with tangled hair, isn’t he. And we
shall not forget the Robustus. A club in his hand he growls and
tramps like a true idler. Anyway, the great borderline is right here!
Make a fire. Take a stone. Lay your beautiful hand on it. Sing with
that wheezing voice of yours. Live…live at home!
A tender smoke is already rising also from that valley of ’Neander’.
And next door to them there was soon living new people…
You and me!
*****
15

.
Ray of light caresses the shoulder of a sleeping birch forest.
Morning kisses shyly this innocent woodland.
So lovely purls the water.
Listen how that crystal stream giggles.
Feels like one breath could broke that fragile music.
The dew glitters in the mist like tears of vanishing ghosts.
But soon falls silent that melancholic flute of a blackbird.
A light breeze carries the music to the sky.
And the haze is gone. Bright wind blows sleep away from
the eyelashes of a willow .
Although the bushes whisper, are your secrets kept.
Softest mosses muffle your words.
An overpowering smell surrounds you.
Sacredness takes you in places…
no one will find.
17

.
And right there was a silent boy.
Stands still, completely speechless.
Then hears that finally it is the time.
The wind carries the message:
”Stay there. Take some stones. Hide.”
A chase is rolling this way.
The trap is set, isn’t it.
So he lies in wait.
Takes his weapon. A spear.
Throws!
One classy cast stiffens the big beast
and it falls down to the pit.
Terrible bear can’t move anymore.
The clever tribe forms a ring
and kills the great predator.
That young man, called Inuk, was a real hero!
18

.
Summer. By Pyrenees. Behind the great Taiga forests. So, far far away from the Big Ice
is a Stone age village. There live some families, who belong to the clan of the
mammoth. Ravens are wishing the hunters very warm welcome. Women and children
sing along and leave their work straight away.
A cauldron is already bubbling. All the women are glancing at the hero Inuk. But he can
see only one girl - most beautiful Enýa. Silky cheeks of young lady are slightly flushing.
And the boy have never felt like this before.
Tam-Tam-Tam-Tam-Tam-Tam! Hypnotic drumming honors the spirit of the holy bear.
Sorrow and joy together. Eating too much but singing even more, front of the big
bonfire. The happiness really lives here, under these million stars.
The Shaman is spelling. Women’s wildest screaming fills the magical night. This whirling
dance is pure ecstasy! Tam-Tam-Tam-Tam-Tam-Tam!
”Ya-Ya-We, Ya-Ya-We, Ya-Ya-We, Ya-Ha-We, Ya heee!”
Look, their god is called ”Eco” . They believe in Mother nature only. Heaven is here, not
behind the wax-statues. The Nature is their only religion. This shout is real and comes
from the soul: ”Eco!”. Even the cave art tells the same. Leave all that vanity. Earth is the
holiest. Earth is everything.
19

.
New tasks are waiting next morning. Dwellings need to be cleaned.
A dirt floor, walls made of tanned skin and a small smoke hole above.
Load bearing structure was made of bones, wood and even some
mammoth tusks. A real home indeed!
A cup filled with train oil gives tender light. Heavenly swinging cradles,
big blankets, all kinds of belongings, cups and mugs.
Also many weapons there is.
Amount of artifacts seems to grow. Here is a needle, bony scraper and
pincers. Here some slates, cutting blades and big stone flakes – maybe
somebody had used flint tinder. One reel of tendon string, a rasp,
bolas, fishing rod, a mallet, a bow and things like that.
The men are blustering:
”We take our food with traps! Perhaps some mammoth for lunch or
maybe a wild boar? And we will kill big rhinoceros too!”
Well, the ladies may do better. They find mushrooms and eggs. They
know all the delicious blueberry fields. So women gather all the
essential groceries. As a luxurious bonus some soft feather.
20

.
Without women would men die in hunger, that’s for sure. That is why
the more beautiful gender is ever holy. Even the Shaman is molding
Venus-statues. It was exactly the women who learned some great
things on these grounds. Soon the backyards are giving wild wheat,
fine grain plants and beans. And here are hoof prints of bull, sheep and
maybe donkey. Hurray! The village is getting prettier every day. Clay
pots, boats and fishing-skills were the latest innovations.
Finally….
Inuk whispers to Enýa:
” I love you. Kiss me. ”
Secretly they hide in one cave aside.
Touching hands.
Of those hands they made small pictures to the granite wall.
Red ochre powder decorates the moment. And it will last forever…
till the end of time.
***** 21

.
Soon the living space is getting more narrow. They have to wander.
But other people are already living there - quite close to the Big Ice. And
to survive, the thickest coat was a must. So, very versatile were their
clothes: Furry caps, mittens and warm boots made of reindeer’s fur.
Sable coat, fox fur and also seal skin
They do know how to fish or hunt the game. They do know how to
move on iced sea. And yes, they do have the best weapons and busiest
traps.
They destroy fat walruses and catch whales with agile kayaks. And at the
very next moment Seal mother’s baby pups become orphans.
Inconvenience doesn’t put down Arctic people. But the migration far
from south breaks this harmonious enchantment.
The new era is coming.
Trade is becoming lively. Big sleighs are pulling all those thick bear skins
through snowfields. And payment may be made in many forms: New
metal, fine clay bowls or then just latest know-how.
The air was really full of joy at these latitudes right now.
23

.
Aside stands a man in low spirits. Doesn’t look excited, not
at all. Prepares skis and packs his equipment. Early in the
morning thrusts ski poles into snow and escapes from that
hustle and bustle.
The sun hasn’t woke up yet. But he is already flying
through endless snow drifts. Frost is kissing the cheeks.
What a beautiful jingle sounds there in the hesitating light.
Trees are carrying heaviest snow crowns. Wind raises
dancing powder snow statues. And all that whiteness is
sparkling like a sea of diamonds.
Oh, forever and ever may that bright hoarfrost tinkle and
those crispy ice holes crackle. The whole world is glazed
with icy rime and freezing breaths.
In the evening finally arrives the twilight of the Polar night.
The deepness of the blue breaks the heart. The stars arrive
from nowhere.
The journey has sure been very tough today.
24

.
A small campfire drives the frost farther away
and a fur duvet defeats the chilly wind.
A small ’lean-to’ shelter was a most elegant residence.
And there he sits. On the top of a fell. Above the river. Above the
valleys. Watches the monumental space. Watches the moon.
Watches the Northern lights - so pure, so clear. The lovely music of
Northern sky. Heavenly shining spectacle with roaring silence.
Maybe the Great Fox is sweeping cosmic powder snow with it’s tail.
This magic melts frozen longing. The pain of soul turns to
happiness. Therefore he must call the wolves.
”Awoooo! Awoooo! Awoooo! ”
That man followed his own paths. Poor hermit may have been shy
but honest and dissident forefather of the future Finns.
*****
25

.
Far away in South the progress was obvious.
Hand ploughs made nice furrows into fields. With oak-wheels the
carts got going. Harvests grew bigger with bronze tools.
That was a new mixture made of copper and tin by the way.
Augur priests were demanding standing stones to the burial tombs.
All over raised big sacred mounds and megaliths.
They might have been religious, at least they were important and
holy. Also stars and planets could have been observed at those
places during thousands of years.
The sky was shining blue. Stone age was only a distant memory.
A man learned the numbers and the letters. Pre history was over.
The truth was no longer hidden.
From now on we…
can read all about it.
******
27

.
Oh Great Seshat, thee do I offer my best beer, my slaves and my pastries.
O Seshat, thy humble subjects do have no money. May Goddess Isis be
my witness. Please take my word. Let this papyrus come unfastened and
let my strange story be reborn….here, front of your eyes.
My name was Sinuhe. By Khnum, Sinuhe was the name of mine. Beautiful
was my home, fellah Asapaluen my father and weaver Imotitel my
mother. So yes, mercy and blessing did I get. That era was new. The time
belonged to Pharaoh Amenemhat. In those days the infinite Nile was our
love, our happiness.
Beautiful Nile. Wonderful Nile. Nile the mightiest. Nile the one
illuminated from the heaven. I want to call you my Mother, while you
gave birth to our land. Hapy, oh Hapy. You nourish the acacias. You let the
ibises be safe on your silty banks. And a convoy of Crocodiles is always
welcome to you.
Guarantee us good harvest. Give us plenty of flax. Be gentle to our barley
and offer us fish. Tenderly surround young ladies when they dive into
you. Because you are the greatest. Because you are like deep blue space.
To us all…You are forever holy!
29

.
So please, ever tender Heket, look at the Egypt. Here they salút you in a row,
statues of big cat predators (faces of men though).
The God of sky, Ra-Horakhty, is the most handsome. And behind him there
stands a massive structure called Pyramid. Almost touching the moon. The
door of death. The door of life. A monumental Mastaba-tomb made of
stones. A home for those who were chosen by our high honored Osiris. But
also an eternal home for our Pharaoh – for him, who ruled me a lifetime.
I was ordered to live my life unhappy, far far away from the pleasures of our
Kingdom. As a soldier of steppes.
Endless times I looked for my way back home.
At the Southern Cataracts my path led me to the fortresses of famous
Mirgissa. And then later to the kingdom of golden Kush. And golden indeed
were it’s hot mines.
The women were true beauties with black skin and stunning smiles. This
means new slave-girls for Thebes. The whole city was like one big jewel.
There was so much to tell. There were big baboons, graceful gazelles and also
elephants - made of ivory of course. Lots of bijoux, chrism and honey. I will
always remember that place…. A heaven on earth.
30

.
Oh Khepri, my feet took me to the desert of Wadi Tumilat.
This caravan road was like a hot highway. But the Sinai Peninsula will take
you, if you miss the oases. And we, we surely missed… and got lost!
Not a slightest hope of salvation. Totally dull we sucked the cactuses only
to starve to death in that sand desert. ”This will be my end”, I thought.
So the deepest sleep took me…
But my suspicious was huge when I opened my eyes again. A strange
man, a Sheikh, had captured this dying wanderer. And look, just one
goblet of milk restored my strengths.
So blessed was my time on that oasis. The night skies were like fairytales.
Young women whispered to me like summer breeze.
That secret and luxurious tent must have been in the paradise.
Perhaps, when my time has come, I will find my way back there.
But…it was not yet the Time. So we had to move on again…towards the
land of Syria, towards the land of Great river valleys. They all were vassal
states of my Pharaoh. And we settled down in a big and heavenly palace.
The state of Mitanni was my new home.
The trees were waving. Above all, the Cedars were melancholically
humming. And purest water was murmuring in princely springs
31

.
The harem got new maidens from Abyssinia.
Beautiful Elifiloi was meant to be my wife!
But oh no, before that we had to put down a rebellion at Ashkelon. It was
time to risk my head. And my fighting-spirit was real for good reason. So my
comrades were teasing me:
”Busy to get back home, Sinuhe?”
”A craving to touch the waist of Elifiloi, Sinuhe?”
Every evening I was full of hope an joy: ”The war will soon be over.”
At last, back home returned this handsome hero – me, Sinuhe!
Even from a distance I heard the praising song. A glorious triumph was only
for us. Like fresh water was that day.
Most cherishing balms and most sparkling wines were brought to us.
Bending tables were full of dates, juicy figs, meat and big cakes.
But the sweetest thing was Elifiloi, my dear Bambi, my beautiful joy.
Later my life sailed into calm waters. My pretty wife gave me six daughters.
So I was living happily as a cat. I got older without any sorrow. But as an old
man I started to miss the land of my fathers. I was told that a new Pharaoh
was born. So I took my property and said farewell to my family.
32

.
I have no words to describe my happiness when I came to the
border of my home valley.
Beautiful Nile. Wonderful Nile. I kiss thy land.
A new day has not yet began. So I stand alone on the quiet
flax-meadow. A weak wind shivers the leaves of acacias.
Suddenly I hear beautiful singing somewhere.
Lovely Thebes -with harps and auloi it accompanies my walk
And there, on the right, I see the unbelievable house of my
Pharaoh. A heaven is waiting me there.
All my beloved ones embrace me. A masseuse comes
undressed to this bathtub. She shaves my beard and spreads
the most sedative balm to my face. And my nightmares vanish.
The ghosts of my past are gone
So beautiful to be at home again. Sweetest angels protect my
bed with their wings.
There I sleep, between the softest pillows…
without any dreams.
33

.
Next morning I saw it, an obelisk was made for me. I can’t
help crying. Look, the name ’Sinuhe’ was put into the
stone. There ends my path. This song was over.
Oh Great Seshat, even the Time will not take my body. The
best part comes here. This burial tomb is right beside the
famous Amenemhat! Osiris does not let his beloved ones
be devastated
Oh dearest Death, please do come.
Sing your tender words my beautiful Ba-bird.
The priest may come.
The priest may open my mouth,
and get my soul off to sleep.
Ba, here I am.
Come,
fly inside me.
****** 34

.
Middle-East, what an exciting and dizzying place!
Already before Iraq, the whole region was famous due to those twin
streams. Look, that land was Mesopotamia!
Water was rolling over like in Apocalyptic Flood. The Oriental myths
about Noah’s Ark must be true. Oh my, let us begin right from the
beginning. So shall we open the Epos...
A new king called Etana flew up to the sky with his Eagle wings. This
beautiful legend is the starting point for the whole history. Etana came
down and brought finally a stability to all his subjects.
That time the grand Kish was the strongest of all cities. Ooh, what a
developer it was to be! Well, also the neighbors were getting hungry for
power. For example the city of Uruk presented us Gilgamesh, the real
forefather of all Sumerians.
Trade grew even bigger – so did the wars. We can still read stories about
those times. Under the ground there is lying endless piles of clay tablets.
They are full of fascinating magic. Full of wedge shaped marks, signs
and syllables. Fluent information… <> I-I `/ I= < , I II I> I= I= I> .
36

.
First of all, we get to know all those divinities. For example Anu was a god of sky.
Lovely Ishtar was goddess of love...and war. Ea was a true humanist. We hear also
powerful predictions. A small piece of chicken’s liver could be full of omens.
They had all the means to obtain both mathematical and financial wisdom. They named
star constellation and neighboring planets. They were pretty precise at calendar
adjustments etc. They really improved our common welfare.
In the land of Sumer there were priests, vassals, viziers and shepherds. But also canals,
harems, mines and gold treasures. So very thrilling, cool and fun. In other words;
What a wonderful Civilization!
But so very thin is the happiness. Next day these children of ”Eden” wanted to entertain
themselves with some quarrels at the borders. For a start enters Eannatum from the city
of Lagash. First he tore up the city of Umma. But soon it was Umma’s turn to be a tearer.
Boy, because their wars they did not see the real dangers.
So here comes ’The Man’, Sargon. With new weapons, bows, he conquers all the others.
Akkad was now the true Empire. And so the Semitic people were the rulers.
Soon were they squabbling again. And the whole country was ruined. In the end
Gudea scrapes the scrap together. In a humane way he seized power just before…
the winds of change were blowing.
37

.
Does this caravan place look familiar to you?
Wonderful Babylon! Glorious gardens are hanging and ‘Babylo-babes’ bathing
in the rivers filled with milk and honey.
The circumstances were further developed by king Hammurabi. He drove
immoral social ills away. He passed most modern laws. With notable steles he
promoted equal rights. He set norms both for brothels and bar nights and for
landowners and those who were planning to commit adultery.
And that was not all. The land was covered with a chain of inns. It had customs
in every border and also most effective network of Post roads. All this boosted
their business. Yet the taxation was balanced better than before.
But oh my…despite of all these very promising reforms, were cruel
conquerors knocking on the heaven’s door again. First came in the Hittites.
They were followed by brutal men from the East. These ’Assyrian beard fellas’
loved to hate. And ‘hate’ did these subjugators get! Assyria was expanding
and depressed vassals did not even try to fight back. Arrows arrived like
pouring rain and filled the sky. The job was finished with curved sabers and
so the heads were really rolling. Complaint desk was closed, I suppose.
38

.
Luckily this time did not mean extinction to the real humanists. New nations were
wandering and already witnessing the Iron Age.
Humiliated happiness was healed by King Curys – father of the whole Persia.
Mesopotamia was vanished as a state, but it’s spirit survived. Civilization and culture
were on the highest level also in Persian Empire.
So The Hellenes should be thankful for all those wise men of Ancient Mesopotamia.
Great scholars of a great period lit the candle of Art and Science. The most glorious
conquest of all time.
At the same time Eastern and Asian regions even further away joined the party!
For example in India developed an urbane civilization which introduced us
zoning mapped cities, houses with water pipes and even toilets. So sophisticated!
Sewerage system kept streets clean. Sounds smart, doesn’t it. And due to trade
routes all these things came to west and integrated with Hellenistic culture .
But now we shall visit ancient Crete, just as bystanders. Later we will gather
courage and sail as an Ithacan hero through
most miraculous adventures of our journey!
***** 39

..
Please come to the island. Listen. The Sea tells you a story. Cherish
that eternal message. Oh Crete, you are the land of my dreams.
Wars are unknown to you. Evilness has not found it’s way here. As a
timeless bridge you bring the civilization to us. You nourish us with
fruits and wine.
My fruitful Minoan ladies, your noble days are full of light and joy.
Your vivid words I hear. Your calling eyes I see. Am I allowed to look
beautiful priestesses at all? Or will a boy too reckless be paralyzed?
Oh Crete, most enchanting island. Are you real? Or am I sleeping in
Wonderland? Your fabulous past really is one of a kind.
Your fascinating rising was a spell, your hazy fall a mystery.
Tell me that story again…..about labyrinth and horrible Minotaur!
Tell how heroic Theseus took it’s life.
And by the way! Remember the days when Zeus was in Crete.
Remember how he married divine Europe right here.
Such beautiful lines are opening…
the Saga of our Home Continent.
41

.
Zeus blows our focus to Ancient Greece.
Golden Mycenae got strong grip on the power. Instead of
being satisfied with it, they started to get greedy. So
workdays were filled with warfare. King Agamemnon was a
devious warrior with…a golden mask!
How humble is that, may I ask?
Well, from somewhere came new people, perhaps Dorians.
And then arrived the Ionians. Soon the whole Attica was
filled with different tribes. And these ethnic groups formed
many city states called Poleis.
Oh, Children of Hellen’s. I am waiting for the curtain to rise.
In this drama men are not washing dishes although
they do love their women.
They do not hesitate…
to die for you.
*****
42

.
I am Odysseys. A True Ithacan.
The sorrow fills my heart, while I am far away from home. Far away from my love, my
dear Penelope. I was thrown to the open sea again and again and again. Even in my
dreams I moved away . I was furious and all my wars were in vain - all the time I
moved farther from my home.
Well, let me tell the whole story. First we must invite here neat and naughty nuisance,
Goddess Eris. One day, this professional of discord and mistress of wicked wizards
lured three young ladies come into serious conflict over…an apple. This apple was
meant to be given to ‘the most beautiful women in the world’. The Miss Universe
contest began right away! Aphrodite, Pallas Athena and blond beauty, Hera, gave us
quite a cat fight.
After a while Zeus appointed handsome Paris to decide who should be the winner.
Aphrodite purrs to Paris by promising him a wife - Helen.
Oh wonderful Helen of Sparta.
Well the competition was over. Aphrodite was the prettiest again.
But wait a minute…She didn’t keep her promise.
Poor Paris didn’t get Helen as a present. So he kidnapped our lovely princess by force.
And Paris flee the fast and furious chasers. City of Troy gave him a warm welcome.
And that, my friend, that was a crucial step to a war! 44

.
I was among the others helping Achilles to save beautiful Helen – our precious
treasure.
Forever we besieged this country. Achilles was a true hero. So one morning he
presented an invitation to the duel. In this monumental fight he then brushed
and crushed prince Hector. But even this was not enough to end the war.
Paris stabbed Achilles to the heel. Against all the odds Paris was wounded
exactly the same way little bit later.
Anyway, the name of the game was ’distress and destruction’. We got tired and
wanted to return back home. But to maintain our dignity we must get Helen.
And so we placed a huge wooden horse just front of the Troy’s gate.
We pretended that we sailed away with our ships. But in actual we were waiting
inside our horse. And after the sunset we got off that big belly.
Sneaky steps and whispered words.
All those Trojan cockroaches were sleeping. Did not even think that an army of
Grim Reapers was arriving. They didn’t wake up ever again. But this creeping
revenge was just getting started. Soon the whole world was crashing and
banging.
City of Troy was destroyed. Hungry flames were devouring the houses. Without
mercy we killed the children of crying mothers. Without mercy we slaughtered
brave men and beautiful women. Every single one of them. 45

.
Finally Helen was free. The exhausting wartime was over. “Back home the next
morning”, was my plan. But oh no, all the curse and misery was still to come. My
unbelievable journey was just beginning.
No one could explain the witchcraft of the winds. So we adrift here and there.
A horrible storm hurled us to a faraway beach. There me and my men met the
most monstrous creature. The sight took our breath away. A frightful Cyclops was
living on those cliffy caves with his 105 sheep.
Well, we got in that gave, all right. But not out. So very impolite was our host.
He considered us as appetizers.
I told him that my name was ”No One”. I had the most genius plan.
We should blind the only eye of this Giant Hermit or otherwise we will end up
into his mouth.
At the evening Cyclops was having his dinner again.
Without any mercy he crunched and chewed roasted legs of my comrades.
Later this Burping Goblin took a nap.
Right then, we kindly passed a sharp toothpick to this Ogre.
So we stabbed our weapon to his eerie eye. 46

.
Cyclops was crying like a siren. He flung the stony boulder door open and
tried to shout for help. But neighbor cyclopes laughed:
”Have you lost your mind? Did ’No one ’ stab you in the eye?”
This massive Meat Doughnut fell into apathy. So he sat down by the mouth
of his cave. Perhaps he wanted just to say farewell to his beloved sheep, or
then jus control that we didn’t try to escape among them.
But Greedy Glutton missed his lunch. We had the most firmest grip of those
big and woolly sheep-bellies.
Like little lambs we escaped under that baaing flock.
When we got up our sails again, I loudly mocked that Poor Creature. And of
course he got even more furious. So he slang huge stones on us and shouted
angry demands to the Great Poseidon:
”Raise the Winds! Raise the Storms to the sailors!
Destroy that Deceitful Ithacan!”
And look, next moment the wind was rising.
Hundred lightning were striking. Hailstorm got thicker and thicker.
We couldn’t see ahead of us at all.
I really thought we were going to die.
•
47

.
Next morning the sea had calmed down…even too much. Our ship didn’t move at all.
But the Ruler of the Winds, Aeolus, helped us. He gave me a bag containing all of the
winds. With this magical treasure I could call West Wind like a God. But Aeolus did set
just one condition. I was the only one allowed to use that bag. Normal laymen must not
even touch it. Otherwise the Winds might get furious.
And can you believe it! Early in the morning we already saw a hunch of Ithaca. Our
beloved homeland was calling us in the hazy horizon! Tears were running through my
eyes like rivers. But….
One lousy loser opened the Windbag in secret. So the West Wind got mad and adverse
of course. This traitor was thrown overboard. Our Journey was back to the start again.
And that journey sure was full of adventures and dangers. From time to time it was even
quite a quality time…but only for some of us. Namely stunning sorceress, Divine Circe,
turned couple of my men into pig! Doesn’t sound fair, does it? Meanwhile I was more
lucky. Circe didn’t conjure a pigtail to my bottom or a snout to my face. Far from it.
Instead I was cherished in a blissful bubble bath by beautiful babes. I was daily
’demanded’ to dying delicious dinners. And those ”cruel nymphs” insisted me to sleep
with them…without pyjamas. To be honest, we didn’t sleep too much. But please, you
don’t necessarily have to tell this to my poor Penelope back home.
48

.
And so my life went on. I started to feel myself lazy. A longing to the open
sea grew bigger day by day. And oh my, such wild ventures were still waiting
for us. Brand new hazards and hardships were sharpening their claws.
At first we met the horrors of the chilliest Underworld. There, in Holy
Hades, we got some useful advices from Wise Tiresias. I still want to thank
this great prophet. So many dear soul-mates came to meet us there in the
land of Death. But we started to feel cold.
So we wanted to get back into daylight.
One day we met those teasing and tempting tweeties.
Inside my head I can still hear Sweet Sirens singing.
But perhaps my name was cursed. Monstrous Scylla stalked my sailors. And
horrible Charybdis hammered my ship. Later we met Titan Helios and his
immortal Herds of Oxen. My stupid men could see only heavenly stakes and
beefs. The greediness was rewarded with a revenge.
So, deep and dark storm arrived with tremendous thunder.
Furious sky toppled our mast and chopped our ship into pieces.
The sea took all my friends. All.
49

.
I kept afloat relying on our foremast. For days I floated on the waves. I was saved by
a nymph, who was little bit too overheated. After Insatiable Calypso had given me
700 kisses I realized that she was a real man-eater. It was gentleman’s responsibility
to please that poor woman, wasn’t it?
Well, that pleasing took five years. Typical for a man? I did miss my home, didn’t I…?
I had to escape. And so I was again out in the open sea.
Another storm raised. I was lost and shipwrecked to an island. Finally I ended to a
evergreen valley. I was so exhausted that I lost my consciousness. So I had to lay
down on the softest grass bed. A bubbling spring lulled me to deepest sleep.
When I woke up, I was not alone anymore. And quite a wake-up it was. Eight perfect
hotties were washing their clothes and themselves by the river…undressed (again!).
Well it is not appropriate to spy barelegged and topless beauties.
So I stepped forward.
These female sugar smoothies were frightened and hid behind the stones. But one of
them stood straightforward. I might have flushed quite a bit, before this curvy cat
opened her lovely lips. Graceful Faiac told that her name was Nausicaa. Then she
asked:
” Did you fall from heaven to us?”
50

.
The fair Faiacs treated me like a king night after night. Afterwards they asked
me to step into their finest ship which was going to take me back home.
Was it finally really true?
**
I fall down on my knees, on the shore of my fatherland.
How soft is its sand. In Ithaca my heart belongs, forever.
Between the stones the waves are speaking my language,
and the wind is playing my music
In the shadows I walk up to the village to see my most loyal servant.
He tells me the latest news. My wife is surrounded by most disgusting
‘wooing-competition’. My house is full of flattering fools. So he tells.
Disguised , as an old man with scarred face, I limp to my house. At the gate I
see my faithful dog, which recognizes its master right away.
The reunion is so great pleasure, that it dies at the very next moment.
Inside my house partying parasites are trying to ruin my marriage.
But I am going to make them pay for it.
51

.
Penelope is trying to get noisy nobodies out of our house: ”Only such man may
marry me, who can pull my husband’s bow and shoot an arrow with it.
I will never, never, take, anyone else!”
My wisest wife knows, that no one, expect me, can pull that bow.
Next day there is a shooting competition in my house. But the arrows do not flash.
Weak arms of the young men are like pieces of string.
Then it is my turn. I am still pretending to be doddering old man, so the house fills
with boos and jeers, humiliation and laughter. Then the silence falls.
So beautifully the arrows are flying to the target. Young upstarts can’t believe their
eyes. I loose my control and my bow sings the whole night:
´”Try, try to take my woman! Take her, and your blood will run like a river!”
Next morning they all are dead as stones.
But now a warm wave runs through my body. I can’t stop tears falling. My love
comes to me. This feels like a dream. Her kisses blow my misty sorrow away.
”My woman, please forgive me.”
”Of course I forgive you… My silly, silly man.”
***** 52

.
So begins the new era of Ancient Greece.
Oh, do hear the glorious story of the Hellenes.
Overpowering Athens was the heart and soul of the whole Greece. It left even the
harsh Sparta in the shadows. It was exactly Athens, that carried a torch in the
darkness. True innovator it was. Like a lighthouse it showed the way of humanity
to all its neighbors. This sophisticated sailor-’nation’ was open-minded towards
strange cultures, and so even democracy began to simmer. Wise men of the
Acropolis started to debate about state and government.
We should all respect their reverence!
But good Solon was the first who did really change political structures.
Solon enlightened us to avoid greediness. The ”moderation” was his favorite
word. He tamed bookkeepers by easing the burdens of poorest debtors. He cut
taxes and insisted more human legislation. He proposed that common people
could get together and govern the whole state. And as if this all was not enough,
Solon was also a brilliant poet. What a fine and great man!
Tyrant Peisistratus made other kind of reforms for example as a constructor of
many buildings which made Athens even more beautiful.
First time the power was shared to many quarters.
54

.
Many men had time to idleness now. That is why new kind of dialogues
could be heard on the market places. Vivid Philosophers were asking:
”Is Is is if this is isn’t in a sentence?”
”Yes it is….. Is is always is ”
”Or is a no no if no-one knows that no is a no?”
”If no is not no it must be yes. Yes?”
”No!”
With passion they searched ultimate starting point of our existence. They tried to
figure out where we were going and what was the meaning of life. Some of them found
answers from the stars – some from the atoms. But all of them were wise. Great Thales
was earliest of these famous Philosophers: ”The deepest nature of all matter is Water!”
Water indeed…the same man stirred skies so eager, that one day he fell in well.
Anaximenes concluded that everything in the world is composed of air, even our souls.
Anaximander cherished an idea about “evolution”! But the great Heraclitus said it best:
”No man ever steps in the same river twice”
Immortal chapter in the History of Geometry and Mathematics was written by
Pythagoras when he presented his ideas and axioms. Also other breakthroughs he had:
”The Earth is not a pancake. It must be a ball…even rotating one!”
55

.
Different Schools of Philosophy started to rise.
First came the extra logical Eleatics. They could prove that even Achilles could
never win ‘starting turtle’ in a race.
Soon even more awkward hair splitters stepped to the stage. Seems like they all
had lost the common sense for a while. For example the great Sophists turned
the rules of proper and rational debate totally upside down. There was not a
single word which they wouldn’t have torn up.
They could for example ask: ”Are you still beating your wife?”
Even the most gentle man could not answer either yes or no.
But fortunately arrived Socrates. He brought back the real quality by teaching
highest ethics. Although Socrates was crippled by face, he was most beautiful
by his thoughts.
At the beginning of every dialogue he cunningly and submissively gave in to his
impertinent opponents. But in the end he had always beaten them.
This wise old mentor made true art with his words.
But even too popular was he among the youth.
Or maybe he made other older and wiser men look like a fool.
At least this speaker was now accused to be a sinner.
56

.
Well at least one thing was for sure: No one else had ever had
such a plea for innocence. Socrates was now showing highest
morals himself by staying cool as a milk-churn front of that harsh
court. He did not beg for mercy, while:
“A judgement doesn’t hurt innocent man - it hurts the judges “
More than for himself, he felt sorry for his persecutors.
Now there was just one more cup of densest wine to drink. The
wine of death. But not even then did this great man lose his
temper. Instead he warmly mocked his closest friends and
relatives who “were crying like women” during these heavy
farewells.
And so…The most beautiful life was over .
But that life was greater than death.
That name was chiseled forever in the stones of History.
Socrates.
57

.
But soon it was not anymore question of just words but also actions. Man called
Diogenes decided to live in a wooden barrel. This ascetic man didn’t need even clothes.
And pure water was like the most delicious dinner for him:
”He has the most who is most content with the least”
What! Happiness without things and trash? Well, Stoic philosophers put on at least
some clothes. But also their motto guided us to avoid desire and greed. This path takes
us to Epicureanism. Finally we are allowed to live a little again. Of course we should still
look down on money and fortune but at least we don’t have to be total fruitcakes
anymore. Good food, a decent home and close friends. That’s it. Do not search anything
else. Do not take a wife. Do not hesitate to be lazy, the haste will spoil your life.
We must get more this Attic genius! So let’s sit down and listen the words of Plato. He
surely had even wider perspective to improve whole society. This noble and wise man
wanted to promote public welfare and an Ideal State. Famous speaker had even an own
academy where pupils could study all kinds of arts and science. But of course, Ethics was
still the most important subject. He loved the ’truth’ more than anything. So he tried to
describe form of ”good” . His most important work was called ”Republic”. But he also
knew the deepest essence of the words – so we should call him as the father for
The Theory of Forms.
58

.
But Plato was a ”father” also to his most famous follower, Aristotle. This
ingenious man was a true multi-talent.
A physicist and a rocker in same package.
Aristotle was thinking and measuring spaces and universes. His brain
produced incredible ideas from tiniest atom to most extreme infinity. In
the field of biology he introduced a prototype of taxonomic classification.
What a versatile person once and for all!
But now we must put an end to this fascinating song of Hellene History.
So many stories remain untold. There would just never be enough time
and space to tell them all. So please, read them yourself. They all are
calling for you on dusty library shelves.
Open, open a musical box and see brave and handsome Leonidas in that
narrow pass . Or hear the words of Lady Sappho. Let the melancholic
Drama surround you and find your hidden sorrows. Or then…come to the
stadium, sit down on the front row and enjoy the Olympic games!
Oh Greece. You are a timeless masterpiece. You are immortal.
I can still hear your voice. But can you hear me…
your faraway drifting child?
***** 59

.
Forum Romanum.
What a lovely morning at this monumental center of famous Latium. Holy Tiber
is calm like a mirror. At first one pheasant screeches in the shades of oldest oaks.
Then high above, the titmice start tweeting their happiness. Soon the blue sky is
full of summery joy. Terra Aurum est!
Tallest Acacias are whispering, and suddenly a hazel grouse flies away in the heat
of fluttering enthusiasm. The swaying line of cypresses is protecting the
groaning and puffing crowd on the road. Via Appia.
Market carts are clattering on cobblestones. Hurry up with all those nectar pots
and prune baskets! Bring in those hot breads and cakes! The main gate is closing
soon. These good people have left their fields and vineyards and entering the
wonderful Rome.
And they all are welcomed with whole new smells. The most vulgar Suburra had
certainly woken up. These cozy and narrow alleys are offering every possible
flavor of breakfast. A mixture of frying sausages and smoking pork chops, but
also rotting garbage, sweat and other excretions. Compared to this, above
mentioned Forum is like a paradise.
”Well maybe the fish market could be moved a bit” murmurs Sutorius Iratus.
But most of them do not complain. Clients and peasants find their places on
that Market Square.
61

.
All those slaves want to get incomes for their masters and also for
themselves… only a minuscule share of course. That is to support own family
back home. While the wife is the laziest creature ever seen.
She breast feeds Senator Livio’s only son.
Senator himself is having a busy day today with all those meetings, debates
and important issues. The Senate has to handle opposition’s demand for
ending the weekly providing of free wheat to Roman citizens. This claim is
only a smaller part of political machination to bring back the republican
government. So they have to vote on a proposal and its negative.
But now the wise Seneca takes the floor (some others take a nap).
His powerful speech destroys insidious plotting against the Emperor. For
some Nero, the Roman Emperor, is far from perfect ruler. That is why they try
to incite the citizens to rebellion without wheat and bread. But the
momentum is not right yet. So the Senate returns to everyday issues.
This means that these honored Senators move to the Bathhouse. There, by
those relaxing pools, the beautiful courtesans are serving some grapes.
62

.
Some others have a bit harsher life. Faraway on the
muddy hinterlands young and scary Legionnaire is
carrying his metal striped armor, javelin, centurion
helmet and short sword.
He is thinking home.
Remembering breathtaking girl living next door.
But there is no time for dreaming and weeping.
Barbarous Germania is unable to live in peace. War is
its favorite entertainment. And if Hispania is not
fighting, at least Lusitania is revolting against the
borders of Roman Empire.
There simply have to be wars. Always!
But due to constant battles, the boy doesn’t know
anything about the cruel destiny of that lovely flower
in neighbor. That sweetest silky-cheek had stolen
some silver coins as a housemaid of patrician Titus. So
tonight she will indeed be paid. She has got an
invitation to the magnificent Colosseum!
63

.
What an unbelievable scene with deafening noise! Endless
rows of seats are touching the sky, and all of them full of
citizens from every class. Thousand flaming torches are
shedding light on this Wonderland. Mighty lions, lethal ’boa
constrictors’, furiously shouting elephants and even ’killer
sharks’ in the pool.
And among all this intoxicating madness the bravest heroes
are fighting for their lives. Front of all those beasts the
glorious and muscular Gladiators are standing without any
fear…at least at the beginning. While all that
handsomeness vanishes in those hot and dusty battles.
Without a face even the prettiest man may find mirrors
quite useless.
For the horrifying ending Emperor Nero turns down his
thumb. This action fills the whole arena with roaring and
cheering.
64

.
Afterwards a smaller group follows a private ”itinerarium” to get back home. Tipsy singing
can be heard from far. They go through Porta Asinaria and pass one of those brand new
obelisks. Finally they arrive to the secret and luxury Villa of beautiful Octavia. Door handles
are pure gold. Most of the decorative harmony is finest marble. Even the dinner set is
silver. And on the wall ripples a mountain stream with crystal clear water. The tables are set
and full of ’small’ snacks like grilled wild boar and plum-filled veal cutlets. There is also
some chicken and roasted rabbits. Small statue strains delicious bouillon over the baked
salmon. And smoked dove fillets are creatively placed back into bird nests.
A famous fatty, Utopius, is lying on a divan. Once more he fills his large wine cup, belches
and giggles like a girl. Finally says:
”Dear uncle, did you see that lower class slut, who couldn’t stand up anymore during
whipping. She was so powerless and bare naked when the tigers came and tore her to
pieces. That all was so splendid! I couldn’t help laughing!”
”Exactly! That was somehow so very arousing. Let’s laugh together: Hah hah haa!”
Far far away behind the mountains the echoing laugh sounds from the blackest beak of
lonely raven. Like an orphan child that Legionnaire boy feels the coldest wind approaching
and senses its painful message.
And he can’t stop beautiful raindrops falling.
***** 65

.
Rome was not built in a day. But on the other hand it was not
destroyed in a minute either. The ”shutdown” took centuries. But it is
fair to say that glorious days of hegemony were over and it was time
to pay the bill. The destruction had many faces such as plaque
epidemic, barbarian attacks and for example social disorder.
The Emperor-institution became almost a joke. Soon there were
even two emperors at the same time. The stronger one was in the
East, which became new center for the whole Empire. The Christians
were glad, while eastern culture understood spiritual searching much
better. So monasteries started to rise everywhere. The West lost its
dignity even more. Era of Byzantine Empire had become!
This struggle for power was like a cold shower for Rome. It had to
step aside. So sad. Will it regress without an Emperor? Will it be only
a small village again? Not quite. Even though living in Byzantium the
new Emperor respected Old Rome’s crucial role in our history.
Rome was the mother of the whole civilization.
67

.
We should therefore deeply thank Emperor Justinian the Great. He smarted the whole empire
up with restoring many beautiful buildings. He assisted old empire to drive greedy vultures
away from nests which they had built to the ruins of West-Rome. His lifetime mission was to
unify and rewrite the whole Roman Law. This probably secured the survival of lovely Latin.
Like all good neighbors did also these two have many arguments every now and then. But West
Rome had one advantage on its side. Their bishop was primary of all the bishops. With good
reason he was called a Pope. Namely, Saint Pieter had been fishing in same bishopric in his
time. Not even the Emperor could order the Pope. What an excellent trump card this was for
”Italy”. Well instead of Rome it was now Ravenna’s turn to be the capital of Italy. To be honest,
this development did not promote peace in hectic regions. And so, from far arrived the Goths!
Whole land was in depression. Without resistance it submit to these strange people.
Such is life.
This wave of Germanic people was only a prelude! Behind the mighty Danube many other
tribes sensed the winds of changes. And they all started wandering: For example Saxons,
Alemanni and Vandals. But also Huns and even Picts. And we shall not forget the Slavs and
other eastern folks either. Soon we had many new friends like Bohemia, Sussex, Essex, the real
Saxony and Avarian Khanate. Well maybe we shouldn’t enumerate the whole list here. It is
obvious that the party got going. Quite a land-reform in its broadest sense!
68

.
But also the area of current France was seething. Merovingian people settled down in
there. They favored own family and divided the country by following a doctrine of
shameless nepotism. But do not cry my friend, it was not yet time for pure feudalism.
Everything was still quite fragmentary and chaotic. So there was an urge for
pretty powerful Pope.
Luckily there was one sophisticated monk. Saint Gregory kept apathy away by helping
both poor and sick. He understood the deeper value of Church Art and made also the
Benedictine monasteries blossom. Under his rule the bishops started to gain power even
in the former pagan countries. An epithet ”Great” was completely justified for him. Amen!
On the other hand some people might have thought that all these bright bishoprics and
awesome abbeys started to become too strong. At least these saints did know how the
economic machine works. Shiny and decorative domes were springing up like mushrooms.
Beautiful Basilicas raised here and there. Glittering glamour was guarding God. ”They are
rolling in money in those presbyteries.”, spitted a casual passer-by through his teeth.
But what else could they have done? Saint Mary demanded all those Icons, didn’t she?
Also her longhaired son had to be portrayed of course. In the end this debate led into
more serious argument called Schism.
69

.
During Holy Synods there were altercations about the question who we
should worship most – The Father or The Son? And also that was causing
quarrels, if we should pray to that handsome and soulful savior himself or
was his picture enough holy to save us? Iconoclasm-conflict was then a real
troublemaker on the Eastern side. So in the end Orthodox Catholic Church
found its own path and we had to say farewells to our eastern brothers…But
let me go on with Western version of this wonderful story.
Well, the shining halo above Emperor was vanishing in cozy wood icons. The
days of his fame were gone. Too bad, while at the same time the Islam
started to rise and all those old repressions began to boil over. Muslims were
eager to seize power even in the regions of Andalusia.
But right then Charles the Great rode in with his snow-white mount!
And he sure was one-of-a-kind! Look that brave savior of our holy church.
Look that healer of our self-esteem. Look that greatest idol of the century.
Whole Europe from Italia to Germania almost as one union! Oui pardon -
especially the Franks were his noble subjects. No wonder that Pope Leo had
to crown this great Charlemagne. And so finally there was
Holy Roman Emperor riding among us…bringing joy and light to us.
70

.
But only for a short while did this happiness last. There was not enough thrones for
those many sons of Great Charles. So grandfather’s inheritance fell to pieces and
turned to complicated cocktail of border skirmishes.
In every poor cottage and farmhouse people had to forge horseshoes again to
guarantee good fortune. It was no longer possible to appeal to this beloved
representative of highest authorities. The Emperor was gone.
Whole new actors could now play the crème de la crème. Many boastful barons took
slices of the power. Maybe some had been promoted earls and lords already under
the rule of Charles. The feudalist-fussing could not be stopped anymore.
And so the time of the Nobility had become. And oh how noble they were. The bold
and the beautiful gave us protection against all the enemies! A Knight got nice piece of
land as a compensation, when he offered a horse and its rider for army. But also
plump priests and appealing abbots deserved land and other benefits.
Of course all these privileges became quickly hereditary property of mighty families.
Everyday living turned even more hierarchical. Estates of the realm started to sneak
into society. Forests and fields were loaned for these commoners.
Blessed subjects were more or less vital vassals.
71

.
They all got what they needed. That lazy noble aristocracy was a synonym for money.
And simple common people were synonyms for drudging. Once a drudger always a
drudger. But they had no reasons to complain. A humble peasant family was in safe as
long as they remembered curtsy and bow to their master. This was crucial. The going
could be quite rough from time to time. And most of the time it surely was.
Scary strangers from faraway were now knocking on the door. Vulgar Vikings were
stealing men, raping women and probably eating children with excellent appetite.
Laughing they burned all the houses. Whole life was like a nightmare when these
Scandinavian giants came for a visit. They found America. They found Asia. All over
Europe did they revel. They loved wars and riches (and women). They sang for Thor,
and swore in the name of Odin. Cheerful they drank beer… until the Valhalla called
them in the end. That could not go on too long. The party was over.
Even today their descendants may sing their heroic saga with pride.
But there were also other eternal enemies. For example the Hungarians or the mighty
Moors…to name few. The whole continent seemed to be on its way to Hell. On the
windy hills the Devil himself was playing darkest hymn with the gross-woods.
The Millennium is waiting tomorrow. The storm is rising today!
Is the sky falling tonight?
*****
72

.
Most vivid evening breeze swishes faraway-forest.
In the shades of trees walks fearless young man. Somehow he looks very
familiar, doesn’t he? Searching for a place to rest a little. Steps aside from
path. First under old oaks. Then climbs towards the evening sky.
His name is Robin. Quickly he and his well-known Hood vanish among the
green leaves. Silently the branches give way to this Tree-creeper. And there he
settles, in the cradle of oak’s crown. Opens his small ’belt and bag’, takes a
slice of smoked chicken and crusty clap-bread. Then lifts wine-skin on his lips
and finally lies down under his woolen cape.
Deepening blue sky gets some scattered stars. There comes Big Dipper,
Cassiopeia, Sagitta’s arrow, Perseus, Aries and shiny Goat Star of Auriga. Then
arrives Swan, Capricorn and Little Fox. Soon above arrives also Northern
Crown, Fishes, Crab, The Great Orion in most magnificent constellation…and
finally the small ’Lyre’. So beautifully its strings are joining this splendid
symphony. Sleep, sleep, sszzz…
So he sleeps under the night sky. Fairytales of Milky Way are filling his
dreams. The soul of this youngster is still free and so very pure. Even nearby
hooting owl does not disturb our hero.
74

.
Joyful birds wake Robin up next morning. He takes few steps in the meadow which
still is moist after night. Quickly washes his face in a small and sparkling stream.
What a wonderful life!
Then short trip through beaming forest. And there, hiding by the rocky heather field,
waits his most loyal companion. Will Scarlet whistles quiet sign. So there they are,
two handsome and merry fellows. Will offers Robin some mead to drink and fair
slice of pork fat to eat.
By a small river they come to even smaller bridge only to see most awkward sight. On
the eastern bank stands the biggest and tallest grown man they ever seen. Right
away outbreaks a ’war’. Which one has the honor to be the first to cross the river
along that narrowest log? It seems that boys will be boys. So Robin and the stranger
step to the bridge exactly same time, both clattering thick wooden staffs.
Oh boy, those staffs do really clatter! Heads of these men must also be made of thick
wood, while neither is falling despite the hard strikes. But that brisk and fit giant
mugs some real bomber-hits and finally sends Robin into the brook . Will Scarlet
can’t help laughing. The battle is over.
Squelching and soaking wet Robin sneaks from the cold water. Head is humming. But
that big Teddy-bear laughs: ”Ho, ho, ho! Thank you for most entertaining show. Who
are you, and what on earth are you doing in that river? Ho, ho, ho!”
75

.
Next moment all three are laughing loud!
”Little John” joins these merry outlaws who fight for a good cause.
The times are hard indeed. Good outlaws are in great demand. Like true
barbarians the Norman lords are exploiting the Saxon people.
They tax like robbers and order brutal punishments for the poor.
They set farmhouses on fire. They drag women by hair and rape them.
All this submission can be seen in burning piles of corpses.
Whole country is longing The King to return. But these harsh times have
taken His Majesty to a holy war against soldiers of Allah. At this very
moment, somewhere far in the Eastern seas sails beloved King Richard .
Some dukes and slimy brother of the king are ruling now. Prince John may
still host the Royal castle, but not for long, if he doesn’t pay attention to
those outlaws and their rising rebellion, which starts to give hope to
oppressed people. Very tense times have arrived in Nottingham.
This issue is on the table also in the Royal castle. A quartet of Prince John,
the Bishop, Guy of Gisborne and that famous Sheriff is having dinner.
Oh yes of course, little bit aside, there sits also wonderful Lady Marian.
She isn’t at all interested in these political machinations.
But in secret she must think a bit this mysterious Robin. 76

.
Robin’s laughter echoes further away in the backwoods.
Also this morning includes playing, wrestling, ballgames and
serious archery competitions of course.
A stranger, Friar Tuck, is taking his daily nap on the river bank. The boys end up
in same ’fishing grounds’. What an amusing sight is this sleeping fisher. Suddenly
a river trout catches delicious but fateful lunch. Quickly Robin takes that
beautiful fish off the hook and moves it on the round belly of Saint Snorer.
Soon the friar wakes up. With a great astonishment he notices the trout on his
lap: ”Did this fall from heaven?”.
” Ha, ha, ha! What a hilarious sight! Your mouth looked like a ring well.”
The blood of fooled man boils over! But the real entertainment is just starting.
” Stand up holy man! Hurry up, carry me in your back. My dear ’brother’, I want
to get on the other side of this river with dry socks.”
And so this stocky priest steps into crystal water. Does not say a word.
But in the middle he drops his boastful burden. One SPLASH and few SPLATTS!
Quickly like a flash the friar takes his sword and snorting attacks the Hoggish
Hood. It is time for thundering fight!
77

.Two talented swordsmen are fencing, and little river roils like a
white water. But the monk is smarter. His sword sends smug
smile off Robin’s face.
” Stand up, you silly boy! Carry your ’father’ in your back to the
sandy bank. Even your fancy hair is already combed like
hackney horse!” Funny friar cracks everyone up.
”Hah hah. Listen to me father. You are fighting like a champion,
you are a Saxon and also a preacher. Swear, that you are loyal
to us, and we will offer you easy days, good food and barrel of
best beer. ”
And so this good monk got a place among merry men.
”Two places, I’d rather say”, corrects Little-John and looks this
fat friar from head to toe.
And laughter rings out under oldest oaks.
78

.
Soon it is time to gather some ’loose change’ again. And how convenient,
exactly today the tax-money-chests are travelling through the forest. They are
protected by the very best guards and archers. The convoy is followed by most
noble escorts: Sir Guy, Bony Bishop, Sturdy Sheriff and Marvelous Maid Marian.
Robin has a clever plan. His men climb up to the trees. There they have most
complicated network of lianas. Additional shelter is arranged by fake bushes.
All set? Let the party begin!
Its raining arrows. Weak men fall from their horse-saddles. Like unnaturally fast
murder-ghosts the outlaws come down from the sky. The fight is over in a
minute. The mail-shirts didn’t even realize what happened. And so Guy of
Gisborne, Bad Bishop, Selfish Sheriff and Lovely Lady Marian are seated by the
most wonderful feast buffet. There is hundred seats around that oak-table. Oh,
how delicious looks, smells and sounds all that boiling, frying and smelting.
Beef stew with baked bacon and rump stakes with mustard coating. Grilled
chicken in skewers. Crusty wild boar ribs and juicy lamb chops. There is also
grouse pies, planked trout and other wild game specials. How about a smoked
leg of deer? As a dessert apples, arctic brambles and raspberries.
And all this may be washed down with frosty beer.
A bone flute and dreaming lute make everyone’s feet tap.
79

.
Atmosphere of darkening night is full of joy and warmth.
In her heart Lady Marian is laughing. She can’t yet show her lovely
smile – not to these robbers and thieves. But…she doesn’t hesitate
a second, when Robin asks her for a little walk.
Under the shining moon they sit. The maiden watches in secret this
fair Saxon: ”Who is this Crazy Hooder-man? He protects poor and
sick mothers and fathers and those who have lost everything. He
saves lives of the children who were already supposed to be
doomed. And.. he is also.. oh, so very handsome.
I’m afraid I love this silly boy. ”
And Robin has same kind of thoughts:
”So beautiful is Lady Marian. Unbelievable enchanting to be a
Norman. If I just could get one kiss…”
But Robin forces himself to cool down. He won’t take kiss by force.
So, shyly he escorts Lady Marian back.
80

.
Later, thick smoke is rising from Royal castle. The biggest fools of whole region are
trying to find a solution how to end continuous humiliations . They don’t want to be
target for this Saxon’s horseplay anymore.
”Target! That’s it”, exclaims that robust Sheriff. ”With a fair contest we make him
fall into a trap. Lets announce an open invitation for a Championship!”
”Championship? What on earth are you talking about?”, sir Guy gets excited.
”Well, our annoying tormentor is quite an archer, isn’t he? So shouldn’t we search
for an archer-champion?”
”Ho, ho, ho! Well well well, your blockhead is not just sawdust. And the winner may
meet Lady Marian in victory ceremony, I presume?”
”Hallelujah! This trap could really go off!”, giggles the Bishop.
The meadow is full of people now. A moat murmurs nearby. Wind sways the
selling-stands by the wall. Here smells delicious cabbage stew, grilled chicken and
sausages. It is a real carnival day! Flags are waving in every possible colors. The
excitement of waiting is filled with entertainment. Clowns, magicians and
troubadours are followed by ecstatic children: ”Oooh!!”
And then it is the time!
81

.
Hundred horns are playing fanfare: ”Troot, to-troot, to-to-to-to-trooot!”
In the royal box sit some very devious foxes. All made of noble wood but rotten anyway.
Even Prince John himself is here. He wants to see if Robin is finally caught.
The atmosphere of archery contest is very excited and tense right from the beginning.
First everyone may shoot two times. After every round the worst shooter drops out.
”Twang-zap, twang-zap, twang-zap!”, every single arrow finds the target.
The lute is playing and people are singing!
”Arrooow-tchuk, arrooow-tchuk, arrooow-tchuk!”, again the bull’s-eye is shaking.
”Oh my, these men do know how to handle a bow!”
”They really do!”
After five hour-glasses, it is time for the Grand Final. The meadow looks much more
open now with only two best archers left. They are famous and strong castellan Phillip
of Arras and a skillful tinker, who is a total stranger for everyone….expect for Lady
Marian: ”Oh my dear God! It can’t be true…No, it is true..that tinker, is he really…him?”
Lady Marian is nervous like a cat on the hot roof. (Adorably cute she flushes.)
But also sulky Sir Guy recognizes him. Gisborne turns red at first. But soon the hate
turns into malicious! ”Ha Ha! My dear fellow, at last you will get your ‘prize’!”
82

.
The culmination of the contest is at hand. The big crowd is waiting in quiet
excitement. The target is moved even further to the other side of the field.
” I do not even see it anymore”, whispered the shoemaker.
But the archers do see it indeed!
One arrow is sticking out of the bull’s-eye. The Castellan is already celebrating
in his mind. But he shouldn’t laugh yet. The Tinker is drawing his bow and starts
to aim. Everybody is holding breath. One could hear a pin drop.
”Fwoooooom!”….This must be a dream! Now there are two arrows, but…
the latter has split the former in two! People are cheering loudly! They just
can’t believe their eyes. This is a miracle! Screams and hoorays are filling the
whole meadow!
Beautiful Lady Marian may present the prize. Robin kneels front of her. But as
we already know, in that royal box the others are not on nice mood today.
And so the trap goes off!
You poor hooder-boy. Why you had to be so greedy? This road takes you to the
castle’s darkest dungeon. The rats of the lowest cellar cells are waiting for you.
You can only blame yourself! Farewell my friend!
83

.
Luckily there are women in this world! Blond-haired Bess, the personal maid of Lady
Marian, happens to be regular customer in a tavern that was visited even more regular
by some of the Sherwood’s merry men. So to save Robin, Lady Marian has to head
there. For Much the Miller’s son she tells about a secret passage to the castle.
At this very moment Little John and few other outlaws are tiptoeing in that dark
tunnel. Quietly must they really sneak in the bowels of the castle. First they have to
find the keys of the dungeon. They are kept under the pillow of sleeping Sheriff!
Shhh…shaking snoring. ”Sleep, sleep sleepy sheep”, Friar Tuck is lullabying.
Soon these ”ghosts” continue downstairs in that silent castle. In the lowest cellars their
shadows are fliting on cold walls, frightening paintings and suits of armor.
”What took you so long my friends? Did you think that I really enjoy having this iron
ball and chains….Ha, ha, ha!” Robin laughs, when he sees ghostly Little-John.
Door of secret tunnel is soon closed again. Men are running fast in the moonlight.
”Jiihooo!”, the freedom feels so wonderful. Starry night sky and freshest summer wind
are full of magic!
But lovely lady Marian is now the following victim. The treachery of secret-passage
was seen by the neighbor. The ‘platform of robe-collars’ is calling dear Marian.
She is languishing in the tower right now. Please, somebody! Help! 84

.
Robin doesn’t know anything about terrible arrest. He is concentrated in his job…as a
thief. His next ’customer’ happens to be a rich abbot. This nice man gives his money
pouch without any resistance. Impressed Robin asks him for a dinner. Later Robin tells
him everything without having a slightest idea, who this bright-eyed abbot is in real.
His Majesty himself has returned in disguise!
Richard, the noble Crusader, has sailed along the great Danube, first to the Seine and
then further to the Channel. And there he stands now. Front of these ragged men who
are chased by his fellow Normans.
Real King takes off his abbot-hood. A deep sigh can be heard under those ever-holy
oldest oaks. All the outlaws kneel down. This kind of honor, is the greatest moment in
their lives. Richard understands that these men are his most loyal supporters. Front of
these humble and honest subjects he feels cold shivers down in his back.
”Enough! Rise, Saxon! I must thank you for everything! You shall not be called an
outlaw anymore. You are a baron now! Hooray for you and your men: Hooray!”
Maid Bess brings the horrible news from the castle. Next minute The King and the Sax-
men are riding fast to prevent the most unfair hanging
In the castle the going has gone wild. Real party is going on. But the coup attempt
won’t be succeed. Prince John may regret first. He tried to steel the crown. But now
Richard throws him out of nobleness and far from England! 85

.
Then it is Gisborne’s turn. Rapidly he sneaks towards the tower trying
to escape. But Robin is chasing this coward. It would be so very heroic
to rescue Lady Marian with a fair sword-duel, wouldn’t it?
”Click, clack, clikety clak.” The swordsmen take some steps upward, and
then the furious fight goes on again: ”Zick, Zack, Zic-ka Zack!” .
Robin is stronger. Six plank tables have tipped over and one big mirror
has fallen down.
Saxon sets his sword under Gisborne’s chin. Does not kill, even though
he should. He just wants to teach how blessed it is to be forgiven.
Now our hero can’t wait a single moment anymore . He steps into
tower. Opens the locked door…
Lady Marian is in sleep. Robin watches beautiful woman between big
pillows. Shyly and gently he kisses her. Soft silky lips gets warmer…
and the evening sky fills with shining stars.
*****
.
86

.
Anno Domini 1347. Oared ship owned by city of Genoa is approaching Messina’s main harbor. It
comes from the Near East and brings new goods from Oriental Trade routes. Joyful shouts carry
the message through harbor. Depressed times get some light again. Small and scruffy children
are running down and laughing loud. Their yelling gets everyone excited. There hasn’t been too
many ships lately. Tin-smith, priest, barber-surgeon and doctor, they all come to see the cargo of
the ship: Novelties, luxury items and common bulk from salt to honey.
But the sea is somehow strange today. So still and silent.
”Something is wrong now”, says the Mason to his wife. That ’mortar-baker’ has the right hunch
indeed. The ship is bringing most frightening horrors. Hundred living dead are decaying in the
hold. And the oarsmen aren’t so fresh either. Some of them may be already dead. New cruel
master has arrived. Plague. The Black Death!
***
In those days Devil and God were playing most terrible chess. No one was safe. Feverish children
were thrown out of homes. Crying mothers abandoned their babies. In this brutal nightmare
dying men, women and children were lying in dirty gutters. Rotting heaps all over continent.
Some nuns tried to ease the pain of people. But they died among the others. Here and there rose
big fires. Greedy Devil was collecting poor burning souls. And fiendish laughter crew bigger and
bigger. The last shards of love and hope were only like drying well or ridiculous scene. 88

.
The new blustering of England started to threaten France.
Hundred Years’ War gave us entertainment now.
The days of our fathers seemed to be so far behind. A War lost its last
remains of ethical standards. From-now-on chivalrous behavior was only a
bad joke. Men of honor, true knights and swordsmen vanished. Gunpowder
was the new ruler! Who could have protested against gunpowder?
Anyway it seemed that this destroying gave us true pleasure. At least wars
were followed by wars. Even inside the borders people were killing each
others. Wars of the Roses would be just one example. In Bohemia flamed
Hussite wars. And the Janissaries became famous in violent wars of
Ottoman Empire. They even fired a cannon there. Era of bombardment had
arrived. Goodbye, oh humanity, goodbye!
Maybe we should pass all these war stories.
They just are too depressing to hear.
89

.
Well, utopian day dreaming may be better than fighting, but it doesn’t bring any
bread to the table. Frost spoiled harvests too often. Decreasing farming land
kept people in hunger. Social concoction was boiling loud, but the steam got still
out. Towns and cities began to crow faster and faster.
Still, many people stayed in the countryside under local Baron or Lord of the
manor. Hard working guaranteed favors by Earls and elite. At these unstable
times poor people really thanked God for this shelter.
Peasants were helping their mighty masters. They were breeding cattle and
timbering trees. Hay-mowing and hammering, sweeping and sawing. Some of
them got own land…by paying high rent of course. After building own sweet
home the feeling was quite a bit better anyway.
Somehow the true wealth and big money was always collected by the great and
noble families. Many things which had earlier been shared and common became
now privately owned. But that money came back. It was invested in iron
furnaces and forges or clothing and textile trade. Brand new branches began to
employ common people. Wife could be a weaver and husband a bricklayer.
True Professionals formed guilds. Hello pretty progress! Be my guest booming
business!
90

.
Also the ships got their patronages. Big caravel squadrons got eager shareholders.
This risk-taking meant considerable surety bonds and interest rates.
It wasn’t anymore question of playing money.
So the banking sector was born in Italy. Door was now open for greed. Oh sure, our
hands might still have been holding the Bible, but our eyes were now watching the
Ledger. At the same time some men tried to tame the time. They were inventing
mechanical clocks. So we had them both now: the hurry and the money.
We didn’t miss a thing anymore….except maybe….stomach ulcer.
Sure there were also other sides of life. For example enjoyable Art and all those
civilizing Universities. And of course the Literature opened our senses with whole
new novels and poems. Oh look that overpowering beauty! Release the Renaissance!
Donatello touched us with sculptures and Dante with words, some others with
paintings like Mona Lisa. Portraits and buildings, works of art and science. Fair
capitalistic competition and innocent love of humanism. So many ways we began to
break our oppressive chains. We wanted to search and create something new again!
Well yes, echoes of Classical Antiquity could still be heard in Renaissance many ways.
Universities from Sorbonne to Prague gave education from rhetoric to poetry.
91

.
In Italy most eager spokesmen of trade supported also civilization and culture.
Some famous families should therefore be thanked with a deep bow. A patron, for
example in Milan, promoted arts and science in a way that inspired whole
continent. The artists became true stars and idols. There was no reason to be
modest. ”Man was the measure of all things!”
Many things moved all over Europe quite fast. Eternal depression was gone. The
Habsburg Monarchy was in charge all over. Sweden and Denmark formed an union
to block this expansion. Royal lifestyle and Parisian fashion was anyway adopted
also in Northern kingdoms. Baltic Sea region was finally drawn into maps. Ships of
Hanseatic League opened these markets in many ways. Continental commerce and
manners found a home in the most wonderful City of Turku.
New knowledge arrived from Germany. Printing Revolution enabled ABC-books and
Bibles. But also many heretic doctrines were now heard. Clouds were gathering
above holy Church. News and arguments arrived from the big world. Schism took
again a century or so. There were even two Popes at the same time. One was
sulking in Avignon and another was cranking in Rome.
Well, finally the most powerful bishops had a meeting. And the harmony
returned…just for a while though. New problems were waiting behind the corner.
92

.
At first, it was essential to execute Jan Hus. He dared to criticize the rich possessions of the
Church. The whole doctrine was claimed to be rotten. Witch-hunt began and our Holy Church
was divided. But many were the protesters, among them Thomas More and the ’leading actor’
Martin Luther. For many kings and queens it was only a pleasure to collect fortune and money
from fat bishops and to take the vast fields and forests of their filthy-rich monasteries. The
Protestantism gave most brilliant opportunity to strengthen power of the profane rulers. As a
bonus the fame was guaranteed as a modest and humble reformer of the whole religion!
But the Catholic side stroke back! In many countries the heretics started to be in real trouble.
The defenders of new doctrine were literally on fire. They were burned at the stake. The dark
smoke rose to the sky. My dear God, what were you thinking then?
Soon Ignatius of Loyola and his Jesuit Knights were maintaining harder discipline. Strongest
sacredness and biggest belief did really need extra protection. New information about ’heaven
and earth’ was shaking the whole world order in most blaspheming way.
Scientifically watertight evidences and annoying facts were presented by Tycko Brahe and
Copernicus. They were searching spaces. They proofed that Earth was not the center of our
Universe. They created maps of planetary system and could imagine all possible dimensions of
the starry sky.
Admiring these great men makes me hear distant cosmic roar… It takes me to a dream…
93

.
Galileo,
In this dream I follow you to the Tower of Pisa.
Measuring time I start to drop down feathers and stones.
Full of hope we look up to night sky with your spyglass.
The sight makes me speechless.
Instinctively I realize that I will never see anything like this again.
First time in history the Jupiter introduces its moons to us.
There, there is the Great Saturn.
But what are those mysterious rings?
And there, those overpowering and enchanting mists…oh, they all
are filled with thousands of stars.
Wonderful and weightless feeling is filling my brains.
I am flying in an accelerating suction of cosmic space-stream.
This is not a dream anymore. I am fully awake!
Here I surf on the beautiful curls of Berenice’s hair.
Like a hot bullet I dive to the stream of Seven Sisters.
Breathtaking and luminous sea is full of miracles!
94

.
Eternal space wind cools my feverish body.
Along a lonely ray of moon light I climb…
to the top of an asteroid.
The blue Earth is somewhere below me.
With that stone-horse
I ride across the bridge of stars.
As a meteorite I fly through your sky.
Oh, my beautiful maiden, make a wish…
wish for love!
But…I glide too far to get your tender love.
In excitement I must have flown backwards in time.
In a fleeting moment after midnight
my shooting star passes you.
Once again hundred years wandering…
to touch you, my love.
Far away, I fall into the ocean-waves.
It is year 1492.
*****
95

.
The Caravels are creaking. Shrouds, cleats and bowsprits are murmuring under
tension. The bow is rolling on the waves, which are getting bigger but also longer
and calmer before sunset. Roaring ocean is kissing goodnight to the escaping
light.
Brisk but short evening breeze rises once more. Last escorts, Northern gannets,
are gliding in autumn night’s happiness. So beautiful birds, gallant and majestic.
On the foredeck, there are some robes and lanterns. Sails are in excellent trim
with this fresh wind. The Square Rig is squeaking satisfied. Tar smells and salt is
making hair rough. Here, here do I belong.
My name is Columbus. I am ”the Admiral” of my little fleet. Under my command
there are Pinta, Niña and Santa Maria. Our target is to find a new sea-route to
Asia by heading open seas in the West. If the luck is on our side, we will be
stranded smoothly on the sandy beaches of the rich Indian spice-shore.
Sure, there has been many arguments about the actual size of the Earth. But I
am absolutely sure that we will reach eastern countries quite fast. So basically it
has only been question of finding the financiers. Most generous supporter has
been wonderful Queen Isabel, the mother of Castile.
So here am I, out on the open sea. My life sails before the wind just like my
ships. And my heart fills with joy!
97

.
But I have to calm down. Because some of my men are scared:
”We will sail over the edge of ocean. We will fall off the earth”, they keep cursing.
All of them have to satisfy with smelling salted fish with bad and watery wine.
Without complaints they work hard every single day.
No wonder that their exhausted minds are tortured with superstitious thoughts.
And I must admit, that there were quite many bad omens on our sailing. Right in
the beginning Pinta lost its rudder. We couldn’t return to Palos anymore, so we
had to sail to one dry-dock in the Canary Islands. So, Pinta was under repair in Las
Palmas. Meanwhile I visited other islands. One of them was home for noble lady
called Beatriz. I gave my time to this tempting woman quite a lot. Afterwards we
saw some pirates hiding between those islands. But I think they were sent by my
competitors. Many neighbor countries tried to prevent my sail to Asia.
Well, now we are on our way again with brilliant speed. But later in captain’s cabin
when I keep the log, I mark our daily stages shorter than they really are. So the
men don’t realize how far we are from home.
Today we were becalmed some hours at first. But then we reached the Trade
Wind. And that forever powerful gale in our sails it felt like we were flying!
98

.
Mornings are now like serene and weightless honey. Just like April of Andalusia.
One can almost hear Nightingale singing.
Today we had one ghostly moment. The sea was completely calm. Suddenly
thickest mist rose from the horizon and surrounded our ships. The compass needle
got crazy. Soon we noticed huge amount of green grass floating around us. Even
the helmsmen were shaking and saying that we were entering the Underworld.
Such a nonsense of course. But I wanted to support my men. So fatherly I tried to
keep them occupied in various tasks.
And it didn’t take long before all that haze was vanished and wind filled our sails
again. Oh, what a summery morning it appeared to be. First we caught some Tuna
fishes. Sure this was brilliant, but after a while fabulous Flying fishes flew to our
frying pans without any effort. And laughter rang out in every ship.
But true joy began at the evening, when a shout from Crow’s nest announced
really big news. Far in the horizon, in western sky, there were some birds flying
home. Shouts were travelling fast from mast to mast. Hopeful joy echoed from ship
to ship. I leaned myself on mizzen-mast, amazed by beauty of the space.
Wonderful wind and calming sea rocked me to the sweetest sleep.
99

.
Next morning we saw more signs of land. A big Pelican landed on the yard of
lower mast-sail. Also some smaller birds were guiding us now. But I am afraid
that eagerness to really see land grew too much because of these hints. While
on Tuesday we heard shouting from Niña;
” Land Ahoy. Land! Land!!”
We already praised the Lord. Couple of us were almost crying. And we all were
embracing our closest comrades. Then we set our course due South-West.
But…our bows did never touch the yearned ground. The ”land” must have
been only a dark cloud in horizon.
So the beginning of October was more or less depressing. Well, at least we
have learned our lesson. From now on, only absolute certain observations of
land would allow announcements with southing.
We sailed forward without any tacks, even though I was pretty sure that in
South there would have been some smaller islands. At that moment the
atmosphere was very tense, so an instinct for self-preservation told me to
abstain from suggesting extra miles.
So we continued towards South-West. Tonight I saw far away some seagulls. It
means that there is land….doesn’t it?
Doesn’t it?
100

.
One day, before noon, Niña shot its cannon as a sign that they had seen
land. But once more it was a false alarm. Probably someone was hoping to
get the money-prize which I had promised for first discovery of land.
Those 10 000 Maravedis were whispering tempting words for sailors’ pay
packet. Quite a retirement reserve it sure would have been. But because of
that prize some men started to see silly mirages. Also spirit of rebellion was
rising. The men wanted to return home.
But today Admiral (that is me) had finally some luck. Namely we saw a
beautiful wild rose floating among the waves! Later, when evening dim was
growing, I noticed some weak blazes of possible campfires.
My heart started to beat faster and it was difficult to breath. I had to lean
myself on the ship’s rail. Then I commanded all seamen and mates on the
deck to say a prayer. Some were repeating almost whole Bible, some started
to sing psalms. Mother Mary and Messiah were both insisted to bless our
ships.
101

.
And look, the prayers helped.
In the dimness we heard something! Or in the
darkness rather, while it was two o’clock and the
Moon was in clouds. We heard the waves rolling to
the sandy beach with cherishing roar.
And we didn’t even dare to breathe. We didn’t want
to lose that wonderful sound ever again.
Here I stand. Still silent.
There it is. Land.
What a long longed, trembling moment.
Like a small paradise it rises front of my ship.
This overpowering sight I had been searching
whole my life….even in my dreams.
New route to East is real now.
Here it is, here is…
India!
*****
102

.
Overwhelming, massive and timeless palace. Elite’s own mad house where
subjects are total nobodies. Versailles. Agitateur de l’amour!
An innocent young woman is sitting on the stairs…
**
My dear friend, come with me. Try to imagine this enormous paradise that
extends from east to west. Reach out your hand. Feel slender water-drops on
your skin. Wind blows them to you from nearby fountains. The smell of Lilac
Bushes are full of love. In evening like this your wildest dreams come true.
Beautiful girl, hear the longing sorrow of that nocturnal fluting songbird. Let it
comfort and cherish your soul. Tremble like those Aspens. You are so very young.
You don’t have to be strong yet.
Night protects you. It tucks you in bed of lovely smelling grass. This royal
parkland has never been so deserted, has it? No one else has come out from the
Palace. At last you can be alone. So, lay yourself down in secret.
Loosen your tight corset. Pick some roses in your hand and caress them with
your kisses. Let the fever burn, Marié.
104

.
Musical honey is draining through open terrace doors of the Palace. Though, it
can’t be Vivaldi yet? Hum of conversation, southing and laughing escapes out
with bright and shining lights. But also one shadow figure staggers to that same
terrace. Decoration of the railing, a brittle braid of blooming Bluebells, experiences
unexpected hardship. Louis XIV stamps those flowers about drunkenly. Yes there
he is. The sunniest King of all, Le Roi Soleil.
He is not too shy. Opens the button and ’makes some water’ down to the
vegetable garden. Then takes a breath of fresh summer night and watches the big
immobile marble sculptures in the darkness. The frogs are singing on lava stones
by the beautiful fountains. An owl hoots hidden in the group of spruces. Well, at
least the cuckoo falls silent for a while. But…our King sighs deep…the terrace door
opens again. The magical moment is gone.
A woman is now cackling to the King. Maria Theresa of Spain is asking an opinion
about budding catastrophe of one certain love-affair. She is worried about the
marriage intrigues regarding her handsome godson - Count René d’Amanite.
This famous playboy has unpredictably but seriously fallen in love.
105

.
”That smooth kitten is only 17 years old. An insignificant subject of ours. I can’t believe it, a
cook-girl! Marié, or ’something’. Just a greedy upstart she is, nothing else. That cunning
scatterbrain has flirted with poor René. Her curly blond hair has moved his brains from hat
to trousers. Well, I drove that girl out of the Palace. But please my Majesty, could You still try
to talk sense to my blind godson. Silly dreamer must realize that the interests of court must
always be put first. I want to marry him off to Anna de la Vienna from Austria. I have spoken.”
”Damn it, woman! I have much bigger problems on my shoulders! Even a dog lifts its leg on
your marriage-games. Half of our continent is waging war against me. At this very moment I
should be conquering thrones in south and preventing maritime wars in north. Do you think
that German’s border violations or Sweden’s intimidates are only child’s play? Turkey or
Flanders, please tell me one single country which doesn’t cause me gray hair! So my dear
wife, don’t disturb me with your silly love-things. Leave me alone. If you let me tickle younger
women tonight, then you may meet me tomorrow.”
In her mind Maria Theresa curses his King. All alone, but with most beautiful elegance, she
returns to the hullabaloo of the salon.
Flashing lace, flying satin and dancing wigs. The diamonds are sparkling on the soft and fresh
bosoms. In this Baroque Ballroom flirting and gorging is getting wild. The priest feels himself
ashamed a bit (but not before Monday morning of course).
106

.
Marié, Marié. Did you really think that a man, so noble, would choose such a by-blow. You
should be spanked. Have you forgotten your position? Don’t say it. Don’t say, that this
passionate love is somehow different. Why would this fairytale become true and carry a
common country girl to the arms of proud and royal count d’Amanite? Let me laugh!
But. The plot goes on as in the novels of Shakespeare, Racine or masterly Molière. The turns
in this love-affair are totally unexpected. Madame de Montespan steps now on stage. This
Athénaïs, marquise de Montespan, is mistress of the King. Yes the very same King who is the
husband of Maria Theresa. Where ever two women are in a state of war, there is also
continuous tormenting. So Madame de Montespan decides to help poor Marié.
Therefore some ladies are going to have a horseback riding picnic in this sunny summer
morning. Athènaïs is followed by young Marié and six other beautiful ’honey-pies’. In their
baskets they have some chicken, roasted hazel grouse, melons and salad. They arrive to a
small meadow. What a wonderful day there among humming high grass.
Madame de Montespan happens to know, that soon there will also arrive some handsome
youngsters. Very familiar gentlemen are going to prey on grey wolves. The leader of fast
riding hunters is count René! Further in the forest the clatter of hooves is approaching.
Cunning Madame de Montespan asks if Marié could be so kind and pick up some fresh
water from the nearby stream.
107

.
Chaffinches are singing on the trees. Young beauty goes towards the stream with
swinging loin and strawberry-cheeks. Most glamorously she starts to sing. Her innocent
happiness is so very wonderful and touching,
But, oh no! Madame de Montespan’s kindly push for Cupid appears to be unsuccessful.
That small river is going to be a fatal curse for young-Marié. The clattering doesn’t
belong to horses of our dear Count. Instead these riders are most inglorious robbers.
Quickly and with violence six masked men catch slender and helpless Honeysuckle.
The young maiden is turned over. Silk and lace don’t give much protection for petite
woman. Men are already slobbering. Horrible puffing and laughter clouds her eyes
with tears.
Little bit aside, in the mist, she senses something familiar. Slowly, like in silent black and
white pictures this nightmarish dance goes on and on. Count René is clearing the road
with his raging sword.
Next moment first of these filthy men is in the ground - dead as a stone.
Oh please come my darling, drive away these cruel people! Count, desperately in love,
has soon mass-murdered five devilish fox-faces. But he can’t stop yet. The leader of the
robbers sticks his sword into Rene’s neck. Slowly hero falls down, right next to Marié.
108

.
René cant say a word – ever again.
But yet he smiles, and thinks…
this must be the Heaven.
While Marié gently touches his feverish lips.
A brief and beautiful moment…
and then, they both pass away.
On a branch of nearby tree,
two hawks, female and male, spread their wings,
and vanish into the blue sky.
And there they live,
in the depths of the Pyrenees.
Somewhere in the green valley-land
they fly forever free…
free and happy.
*****
109

World's Longest Palindrome with True Quality (Full Translation)

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World's Longest Palindrome with True Quality (Full Translation)