I saw a funny little man in dream

Text by Heinrich Heine (1797-1856)
Translated into English by Joseph Massaad 

deutsch - français


I saw a funny little man in dream,
Who walked on stilts, with steps an ell apart,
His linen were white and his dress was smart,
But his inside was coarse and most unclean.

Yes, inside he was a worthless old thing,
Yet, he appeared to be worthy and proud;
His talk of courage, though lengthy and loud,
Was hollow and cant and came to nothing.

" And do you know where he is? Come and see! "
So spoke the sly dream-god, showing me,
Within a framed mirror, of all men,

The small man, who before an alter stood,
Next to my love, both saying: " Yes, they would! "
And a thousand devils laughed: " Amen! "