Antonio Machado

Last Night, As I Was Sleeping

Last night, as I was sleeping,

I dreamt—blessed vision!—

that a fountain flowed

here in my heart.

I said: Why, O water, have you come

along this secret waterway,

spring of new life,

which I have never tasted?

Last night, as I was sleeping,

I dreamt—blessed vision!—

that I had a beehive

here in my heart;

and the golden bees

were making

from all my old sorrows

white wax and sweet honey.

Last night, as I was sleeping.

I dreamt—blessed vision!—

a blazing sun shone

here in my heart.

It was blazing because it gave heat

from a red home,

and it was sun because it gave light

and because it made me weep.

Last night, as I was sleeping.

I dreamt—blessed vision!—

that it was God I had

here in my heart.

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Translated by Ivan Granger