Josef Čapek

“ As if some destiny were pacing upon it with heavy tread.
Perchance all is being changed!
I fain would see in a rose-hued radiance
The joys of men and their hopes,
And be healed and with a free spirit,
O, fain would I live
Or be dead
Or else depart
To distant regions!
O, fain would I be happier!
Amid turmoil a new day is being born,
A great matter is approaching with dire tread,
O, would that I were liberated!
Would that the curse were removed from me,
That I may not be damned!
With strange turmoil the earth is tossing;
With heavy tread something paces hither ”

“ The city and the people are all alive, and everything is the same as it was yesterday. I should like to be with you far away from here; I should like to be with you on a new earth, where there are no people, only we two with our love, in a new paradise, far from this city and the people, only we two, happy and alone. ”

“ Second Street-Sweeper:
—with all this filth, and with our scrapers and brooms, and with us and our crooked legs and our regulation caps with the badge of this Babylon on them that stinks so vilely beneath my broom!
First Street-Sweeper:
I tell you, this city is the most miserable of all cities in the world. Anywhere is better than this.
Second Street-Sweeper:
Ah! you are right; the people and the cities are happier everywhere else. But this city, it is crumbling like a scurf, it oozes dirt like a sore, and fie! it sweats slime and spittle. ”

“ The track of a bird in the winds cannot be seen, nor the path upon waters whence flows human youth. There are many human paths inscribed in the dust, and the tracks of human tread are engraved in the mire which you wipe away and smooth out. Do you not oft-times hear a shower of tears and drops of blood soaking the ground of the city? It is slippery with the mire which has been created by torment. You gather it and smooth it out. I imagine that you possess the skill of reading from the dust how grief creeps along the pavement of the city and stations itself in corners. ”

“ And riches, treasures?
Pieris:
Oh, treasure-house of a happy future! It is a new continent, a new paradise. The age-old dream is here becoming real. To us is granted a new world, new life. In unutterable purity gleams the naked earth. It is radiant with hopes and glows with the glory of coming ages. An immaculate, shining, uninscribed tablet awaits the advent of man, that he may mark it with his love and his spirit. ”

“ The morning, then, brought us the astounding news that in the centre of the ocean there has emerged from the depths of the sea a new land, a new continent.
To the five parts of the world has been added a sixth. A great event has occurred. Its hugeness overwhelms us; its beauty delights and captivates us with a divine awe face to face with the marvels of creation. ”

“ The Dollarson organisations!
Dollarson:
Excursions to the Land of Hopes! Colonisation of the Land of Hopes! There are estates; there you will earn riches; there you will find gold!
Chorus of Paupers:
Everything can be found there!
Dollarson:
Yes, there you’ll find entertainments and jollity; you’ll gain possessions, earn riches, discover gold!
Chorus of Paupers:
In the Land of Hopes there is everything——
First and Second Sandwichmen:
Apply to Dollarson!
Dollarson:
That’s it! There is liberty too. There you’ll find peace of mind, a refuge, escape and oblivion! ”

“ I am free to prepare for departure, that I may seek my fortune in the New Land. It is sad to be fettered by a grave and a woman, by a mother who has lost her child, by a weeping dove who cannot be comforted. It is sad to stand in the midst of one’s grief and not to depart from it. Not so a freeman. He goes away as he pleases; he regrets nothing and is reminded of nothing. And why? This is how I look at it: he who goes away leaves unhappiness behind him.
The scene is changed by the projection of an image of suburban fences and factories. ”

“ In all countries of the world, and precisely at this hour, the whole of mankind is solemnly assembled under the auspices of the same rejoicings by which our beautiful city is set astir. These rejoicings are to-day arched above the world like a rainbow of peace. ”

“ Dollarson:
Nonsense! What does anyone get out of your offer? You ridiculous apostle! what does anyone gain from these hopes of yours? What is the good of an empty hope here, when there you can possess? Why vainly hope and dream here, when there you can take? Listen, people! The New Continent is already waiting for you and offers you its gifts. Hallo! where are you, people of the New World?
The Crowd:
Ah! I am not daring enough.
Dollarson:
You need only put zest into it. The New Continent is for all who demand more than they own now. ”

“ At the same time, however, we experience a feeling of joy, an emotion of zealous sympathy and humane solidarity, for we are children of the same great mother earth, who this night has laid into our hand the youngest member, the youngest continent, a new world. This family joy to-day solemnly stirs the hearts of all lands and nations of the earth. But this joy can best be interpreted to us only by the words of a poet. Mr. Pieris has consented to recite an ode in honour of the new continent, and I now call upon him to speak. ”

“ Dollarson:
—on the New Continent. It is already waiting. It desires to rid itself of its plenty. Who can hesitate? It is new-born, virginally rich, with its resources unused. Ha, ha, ha! who would not go to the full table? There is enough of it for all.
The Crowd:
And why, perhaps I shall be rich and happy.
Dollarson:
Ah! who would be unwilling? Who is without soil? There is soil which yields life and riches, and the earth opens her treasures for the man who does not hesitate to take them. Listen carefully. I tell you that gold is to be found there. ”

“ The scene represents a space in a large modern city. In front an upraised area with an outlet forward. Houses are indicated by strips of dark material and transparencies, upon which the changes of scene are projected in signs.
Night, darkness, uproar and turmoil, the music of boilers and an organ.
Elan Chol:
O, assuredly,
In this moment some grievous destiny is approaching!
Earth and heavens are collapsing!
Would that I were engulfed by an abyss
And concealed by stones!
What is life to me?
Woe unto thee, Elan Chol!
Thou art not as other men. ”

“ The Land of Hopes is in our possession as far as the frontiers marked out by us. Our flags are flying upon our territory to the full extent of our claims. Thus has it been sealed by fire, blood and the sword. So to them who have perished let there be grateful memory and renown. However, it is sweet to lay down one’s life for the benefit of days yet to be. Our share in the Land of Hopes comprises over 5,000,000 square kilometres. Its maximum width is 2,200 kilometres; its maximum length 3,800 kilometres—all fine promising soil along the sides and in the middle, on top and within. ”

“ The bird’s soul is small, yet it has wings, but we have lost our child and here is his grave. A bird has its wide home amid all flowers and its element is the airy horizon. But my flowers and horizon are yonder tomb in the graveyard. ”

“ Dollarson:
The war has been successfully concluded. The turmoil of war is disposed of, the cannon are mute, and amid the dawn red with heroes’ blood a new day is being born. We have won the war. The Land of Hopes is ours. Now all we need do is to take charge of the territory thus acquired. ”

“ My heart is nothing but tears and nothing but love for you. But alas! you will never love me any more.
The Lover:
Oh, you are beautiful! You are as beautiful as you used to be! Don’t look at me. My heart is devoured by a bitter flame. You are a harlot, but you are beautiful. I love you, but I shall never bring it over me to forgive you. ”

“ The first plough has not tilled that land with a fruitful furrow, and the first spade did not loosen its soil for a living harvest. The first plough and spade furrowed it with a war-trench, and the first herb which sprouted from it was bullet and barbed wire.
Dollarson:
Such was the demand of destiny. That first trench and the furrow hollowed out by munitions, they imprinted upon it the seal of human ownership. The New Continent must be turned into property. ”

“ And strew the light of joy before it.
From our cradle it is born.
Welcome ye the youngest sister!
A new continent has been born from ocean,
New Atlantis.
Ah, from ocean-foam a new Aphrodite emerges.
Nature has created a new land. ”

“ Ha! shame upon you—shame upon you, city full of lewdness and mischief! Woe unto you, unclean streets, cross-roads of sin and marts of transgression! Oh, whore of Babylon! God’s countenance is bowed above your roofs that it may judge you. ”

“ Take the soil into your hands. Take gold into your hands. Property is the thing which I hold in my hands. The New Continent is asking to be owned. It desires to be in somebody’s hands. Give me your hands. Everything can be found there. Even the most poverty-stricken among you can be a Dollarson on a small scale. ”

“ Or, we’ll say, why don’t people shriek when they’re in the greatest pain, but are in a sort of dumb, endless brooding? Or again, why is it that there’s sometimes a child who doesn’t learn how to play and dies an early death? And then it stares at you so. Why do they close the eyes of the dead? ”

“ May this fair rainbow never be blotted out, and may it continue for ever, perpetually shedding the light of family affection upon the links which bind nation to nation, across all continents and oceans. ”

“ Everyone’s grumbling about the hard times, that it’s more than flesh and blood can stand. And the people who’ve already gone away from here! Everybody wants to clear off, to escape; they can’t live here. ”

“ Ha! the hour of judgment is coming, and Babylon will be razed to the ground, and stone shall not remain upon stone. The earth shall split asunder, and from the abyss shall be heard the voices of the rejected: “Alas, mountains, fall ye upon us! ”

“ Ungodly people, wallowing in the slough of your countless sins, the measure of your drunkenness, lewdness, selfishness, profiteering, pillage and hatred is brim-full. Lo, the God of Hosts has raised His right hand in righteous menace and this night proclaimed unto you the hour of destruction. ”

“ Dollarson:
Why continue with this litany of names? They merely indicate the economic, political, social and intellectual importance which the whole world attaches to the New Continent, and what great hopes are associated with its future. That is why it is called the Land of Hopes. ”

“ Dollarson:
The brainy man does not allow events to take him by surprise, but has the knack of taking advantage of them in good time. Join in with your capital. Most advantageous investment for savings. Highest interest, splendid dividends. It would be the devil’s own job to stop you and me from getting rich.
Second Sandwichman:
Join in! The Dollarson shares are now issued.
Don’t delay, but subscribe now.
Dollarson:
The man with his wits about him foresees, uses his judgment, and watches over his success. We are faced by far-reaching problems of colonisation. Remember the emigrants. ”

“ Whoever passes this way, whether Christian or pagan, trader or girl in patent shoes, thief or street-urchin, even an old man who is worn out with age, each and every one of them, I tell you how it strikes me: they all go tramping along after their business, hurrying and scurrying, and shaking off what they are filled with. ”

“ Above, on the horizon, a large star then begins to shine with a changing light. A Man with a Spade is on the stage. Enter a Father and Mother, both dressed in mourning. At the back is projected the image of a small graveyard on a hill. ”

“ Hear what Dollarson thinks about it. Dollarson has expressed the opinion that this is a fine big deal. His view is that we have gained much more than we hoped to get. He says that we have reason for pride and satisfaction. He further states that the finest thing of all is now in store for us, since now that the task of the war has been carried out, the task of peace has to be achieved. And where the heroes performed their deeds, workers are now needed. ”

“ Black angels have been seen, or fateful shadows without a body, too, who live a queer life of their own, and anyone who’s born from such a connection (for sometimes they enter a human bed) , anyone who’s taken his origin from there, he’s ill-fated. ”

“ Everyone complains, everyone’s dissatisfied——
Second Gossip:
What can you expect? Everything’s so dear, there’s no work, it’s impossible to earn a living; people are going about without a rag on their backs, and can’t find a home. ”

“ Enter Vandergold.
Second Man from the Crowd:
But Mr. Vandergold is more wealthy and has a bigger factory——
The Crowd:
Good-day, Mr. Vandergold. Our respects to you, sir.
Vandergold:
Good-day, people. Ah, Dollarson! how are you? Mining shares have dropped a little, but I think you managed to get rid of them in time, eh?
Dollarson:
And what about your railway holdings?
Vandergold:
Yes, yes; it’s the sort of thing that’s got to be put up with. ”

“ Enter Pieris. The scene is changed by the projection of the signs of a city. Walls and windows.)
Pieris:
Oh, you old witless fool, is that what you’ve deserved? For what and for whom have you lived And what are you—what on earth are you? You don’t know. You don’t know until they tell you, until others tell you. Until they tell you—what is it they say? (Looks into a newspaper.) “A phrasemonger.” Oh! “Mr. Pieris lives in the blissful illusion that his hollow prophetic lyrics still mean anything to us. ”