Tommaso Campanella (1568–1639)

Translated by John Addington Symonds

NATURE, by God directed, formed in space

The universal comedy we see;

Wherein each star, each man, each entity,

Each living creature, hath its part and place;

And when the play is over, it shall be

That God will judge with justice and with grace.—

Aping this art divine, the human race

Plans for itself on earth a comedy:

It makes kings, priests, slaves, heroes for the eyes

Of vulgar folk; and gives them masks to play

Their several parts—not wisely, as we see;

For impious men too oft we canonise,

And kill the saints; while spurious lords array

Their hosts against the real nobility.