by Pedro Calderón de la Barca

(a translation)

SEGISMUNDO:

Experience has taught me

that man only dreams what he is

until his final waking.

The king dreams that he’s a king,

and living in this deception,

he rules and issues commands.

written upon the wind

and vanquished unto ashes

by death. Such dire mischance!

What man would presume to reign,

knowing that he must awaken

into the dream of death?

The rich man dreams of his wealth,

which only adds to his cares;

the suffering poor man dreams

of poverty and sorrow.

Men dream when they strive and prosper;

they dream when they toil in vain;

they dream when they harm and offend.

In sum, throughout this world

everyone dreams what he is,

though no one knows this at all.

I dream that I am here,

a captive in this prison;

I’ve dreamed that I saw myself

by fortune much more flattered.

What is life? A frenzy.

What is life? An illusion,

and the greatest good is but trifling.

For all of life is a dream,

and dreams are nothing but dreams.

--Wim Coleman