Protiv svoje volje

When I was lying in my mother's womb,I never had it better there. Until,without so much as asking what I wished,they bore me into life against my will.

They fed me as and when it pleased them best,they bounced me up and down with all their skill,they played with me as cats play with a mouse:and once again, I say, against my will.

When I could stand at last on my own feet,I thought that things would now improve — until,to school again, and every single day,they chased me off, and all against my will.

Then youth arrived, and love along with it:could anything be better? What a thrill!I'd barely started on the bećar's life:the army called me up against my will.

I gave my lovely youth to army life;they sent me home at harvest time; and stillI hadn't had my fill of courting girls:they married me, and that without my will.

On chilly nights the snow would flurry down;a wife beats any stove against the chill.I loved with passion through the long, long nights:the children came, and that without my will.

So that our house be full of everything,and that my children's lot be better still,just like a donkey I would pull and drag:believe me, friends, against my very will.

My wife, her mother too, will often stingme with their tongues, like wasps, so sharp and shrill;I'd gladly give a good loud shout at them,but hold my tongue, although against my will.

The years have done their work, as years must do;my spine is bent, and bends down lower still.Of life there's nothing left but memory:it all went by, and quite against my will.

Old age has slowly come to me as well;if only I were not so often ill!Now I await the blessed joys of heaven —believe me, friends, against my very will.