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

Heinrich Heine

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/altes-kaminst-ck/