Sparring partner [English translation]

A macaque (fig: monkey) without history,

She says about him,

As he lacks memory

At the bottom of his dark gloves

But his gaze is a veranda (fig: store front, facade)

Give it time and you will see him,

Entering the jungle

No, don't ever meet him

Did you look inside the game

Is this all? -- well, you know

I'm an old sparring partner

And I never saw

A calm more tiger-like

More secret than this,

Take the first bus, go,

Everything else is already poetry

He might be more than 40,

And that applause

Is due to him for love,

No, don't ever meet him

He was there in his smile

Looking at the trams go by

Old elephant track

Spread over the tarmac

• Artist:Paolo Conte
• Album:Paolo Conte Quinque (1984)