The Horse My harsh dreams knew the riding of youMy gold-charioted fate will be your lovely carThat for reins will hold tight to frenzy,My verses, the patterns of all poetry.
The Rabbit There’s another cony I rememberThat I’d so like to take alive.Its haunt is there among the thymeIn the valleys of the Land of Tender.
The Ox This cherubim sings the praisesOf Paradise where, with Angels,We’ll live once more, dear friends,When the good God intends.
The Lion O lion, miserable imageOf kings lamentably chosen,Now you’re only born in a cageIn Hamburg, among the Germans.
The Elephant I carry treasure in my mouth,As an elephant his ivory.At the price of flowing words,Purple death!…I buy my glory.
The Dromedary With his four dromedariesDon Pedro of AlfaroubeiraTravels the world and admires her.He does what I would ratherIf I’d those four dromedaries.
The Cat I wish there to be in my house:A woman possessing reason,A cat among books passing by,Friends for every seasonLacking whom I’m barely alive.
The Tortoise From magic Thrace, O delerium!My sure fingers sound the strings.The creatures pass to the soundsOf my tortoise, and the songs I sing.
