1. I dreamed that fate was smiling at me,
While many a happy man dreams of misery.

2. When my night ended and I returned to wakefulness,
I saw my day frowning and sullen.

3. My heart is gloomy today, no solace in it,
And my soul writhes - the night has no stars.

4. My day is like a night that maddens me,
My night a narrow, pitch-black grave.

5. Night and day are the same to me, both
Overshadowed by worries hovering over me.

6. My night lasts until day comes,
My day lasts until night comes again.

7. Sorrow has abundant thorns, but
Suffering comes in proportion to feeling.

8. Some people blamed me for my gloom -
What man suffers without being gloomy?

9. Only he who, when hurt, feels no pain
Can bear oppression without complaining.

10. The blood of all the earth will wash away
Every shred of political sophistry.

11. Great is he who rules over all mankind,
But greater still is he who needs no man.

12. There the arrogant one imagines
He will enjoy what he possesses forever.

13. He prides himself on the palace whose balconies
Held him as though no palace ever falls.