Adversity - Shakespeare

“Sweet are the uses of adversity, which like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in its head.”

—As You Like It by William Shakespeare

Alvin Ailey's Revelations - Section 1: Pilgrim Of Sorrow

Last Night As I Was Sleeping - Antonio Machado

Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a spring was breaking out in my heart.
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
Water of a new life
That I have never drunk?

Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.

Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes.

Last night as I slept,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.

(TRANSLATION BY ROBERT BLY)