[Lyric] Along The Road That Leads To Bedlam (Schammasch)

One day four masked men, upon orders received
Threw themselves upon him and bound him hand and foot
So that he could only move his legs

The Whip's harsh lash slashed at his back
And they told him to be on his way without delay
- along the road that leads to Bedlam

He began to smile while scourged and spoke to them with such feelings
Such intelligence concerning so many human sciences he had studied
- displaying vast erudition for one who had not yet crossed the threshold of youth

And his discourse on Humanity's Destiny
During which he laid absolutely bare the poetic nobility of his soul
Made his captors – shaken to the core by what they had done – unbind his battered limbs
And fall on their knees begging forgiveness

His excessive Modesty, which dawned on him because of this idea of being but a monster
Prevents his bestowing his glowing compassion upon any man

He shelters behind his self-respect, offended by this blasphemous assumption
Which arises solely from himself and persists in remaining alone
And without solace in the midst of torments. His pride repeats to him this axiom:
"Let each keep to his own kind."