King:
What is this dream, which I have dreamt?
Who, indeed, is the one that I have seen,
1
Saying: “Haven’t I fulfilled all my promises?”
Speak, O friend; I await your word.
“O youth, O ruddy one, so comely in appearance,”
He promises and vows, “You’ll sprout such glorious
Flourishing [hair] on your head, with brilliant sheen,
If you abandon God’s law forever.”
This one was still speaking, when I saw a man,
2
Elderly, with fearful heart and trembling knees.
Crying out, in bitter voice: “I’ve been hoping for you,
With my loins wracked with pain and staggering.”
“How long, O fool, will you trust the world’s vanities,
Give pangs to song, sorrow to the lyre?
Prepare for the day of destruction, to receive your lot—
You and all your portion are like the lot of emptiness.”
3
How, pray say, can you fool, you dolt, you idiot,
Think that you will remain a guest at the inn forever?
Look to the end of things, and you will see suffering,
On the day when slaughter will be prepared for you.
At once, you’ll be brought to the foe, like an ox to slaughter,
For all his promises are vanity and dreams.
If you rejoice now at the sound of the band, its songs and music,
Tomorrow they’ll all be nothing, pain and staggering.
Arise now, to the beautiful mountain, O you whose hands are pure,
4
To collect the fruit of your Law, the progeny of Noah.
You will gather your reward, which will be extensive,
And dwell the shadow of God, who is mighty in strength.”
They went their way, and I remained,
In tears, upon my bed, moaning with pain.
I arose, with broken heart, and I was broken,
Bitterly crying until the daylight came.
What shall I do now? Whom shall I choose?
I could pursue and attain pleasures for the foe—
Come, O sons of lusciousness and desire,
5
Let us drink our fill until morning, through tomorrow.
But then, on the day of well-being, the time of disaster,
6
What will I respond to God, what will I say further?
For one that walks in wickedness will only add wickedness—
So how could I ask for mirth while I’m still in rebellion?