„Prisoner, tell me, who was it that bound you?” [German translation]

„Prisoner, tell me, who was it that bound you?”

“It was my master,” said the prisoner.

“I thought I could outdo everybody in the world

in wealth and power,

and I amassed in my own treasure-house the money

due to my king.

When sleep overcame me I lay upon the bed

that was for my lord,

and on waking up I found I was a prisoner

in my own treasure-house.”

“Prisoner, tell me, who was it

that wrought this unbreakable chain?”

“It was I,” said the prisoner,

“who forged this chain very carefully.

I thought my invincible power

would hold the world captive

leaving me in a freedom undisturbed.

Thus night and day I worked at the chain

with huge fires and cruel hard strokes.

When at last the work was done

and the links were complete and unbreakable,

I found that it held me in its grip.”