Outside, white snowflakes are blowing br Through the night: the storm is loud: br Here I’m alone, beside the blazing br Hearth inside, warm, quietly bowed. br I sit here in my chair, just thinking, br Here beside the crackling glow, br Kettle humming, as its boiling, br Melodies from long ago. br And my little cat sits near me br Warms its paws beside the coals, br While the flames are flickering, weaving br Brave imaginings in my soul. br Now many a long forgotten age br Rises in twilight air, br As if in shining masquerade, br And faded splendour, there. br Lovely women with knowing glances br Beckoning with sweet mystery, br And Harlequins in prancing dances br Leaping, laughing merrily. br Marble gods from furthest distance br Greet me: near them, dreamlike, grow br Flowers, from tales, that entrance br In the moonlight glow. br Many a magic castle, rising, br Swims uncertainly to view, br Behind them gleaming knights riding br And with them pageboys too. br And all of this goes flashing by, br Hurrying on in shadow flight – br Ah! The kettle’s boiling over, br And the little cat howls with fright.