By Antonio Machado
Translated by Robert Bly
(with small emendations by Jeremy Taylor)
Last night as I lay sleeping
I dreamed – marvelous error! –
that a spring was breaking out
here in my heart.
I asked: Along what hidden aqueduct,
oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life,
that I have never tasted before?
Last night as I lay sleeping
I dreamed – marvelous error! –
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.
Last night as I lay sleeping,
I dreamed – marvelous error! –
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
the warmth, as from a hearth,
and sun because the light it gave
caused my eyes to weep.
Last night as I lay sleeping
I dreamed – marvelous error! –
that it was God
I had
here inside my heart.
