La Masquerade Infernale Lyrics - Arcturus

[based on the poem "Tragediens Trone" by John Henrik Svaren] 

[is translated by the undersigned, and hereby dedicated to Kristoffer Garm Rygg] 

Hear! 

From this day forth 

are the heights of Horeb broken 

and the sea of sulphur-ice. 

And blasphemy! 

in heaven's chambers: 

Souls had fled their halls 

and closed was the book of life. 

And behold! 

The great, white throne: 

black 

with sacred blood 

Our father - 

Dead by his own hands: 

an epitaph 

worthy no king. 

And so is everything 

a nameless lie. 

Who, my god, 

am I? 

Man knows me 

as Lucifer, the serpent of old. 

The wretched hold my banner high. 

Your gift 

- all life! - 

I grant a grave 

Yet I am not your death. 

Come carry forth the crown 

to your once held throne. 

Here is where my suffering should cease 

- but alas; I am crowned 

in grief unheard of! 

In this lone monarchy 

- without a friend of foe - 

I greet the mourning sun 

with strife and a song: 

Please speak my name! 

And leave me not 

in the dust of death. 

I am weighed down 

beneath the tragedy crown, - 

nameless, 

and alone, 

a fatherless son. 

[JHS 1996]