1. O my friend, how many a tender apple
Borne by a fragrant branch in the garden

2. Ripening, quivering in its air
Like the sun's quivering at sunset

3. Passion tempted you to pluck it
When the guard was sleeping and the watcher nodding

4. But for a reason you know better than I
You shrank from it, recoiling warily

5. Say to your venturesome soul, hold back!
Stealing apples is no worthy labour

6. And many a yellow one, dawn-coloured
Can drive away the gloom of spirits in despair

7. A roe turned it in her mouth, then passed it by
As though it were the perfumed kiss of a beloved

8. In your soft glance it stirred a fond craving
And kindled in your heart consuming longing

9. But for a reason you know better than I
You shrank from it, recoiling warily

10. Say to your venturesome soul, hold back!
Never was seduced by blondes one sensible or wise

11. Beware, beware her brimming cups!
Sister of treachery, mother of sins

12. And many the rosy lips like those
Dyed as with flame of burning coal

13. Fortune aided you to enjoy them
And to drain what lay beyond that wondrous flame

14. But for a reason you know better than I
You shrank from it, recoiling warily

15. You chide your heart for its caprice
And rebuke the eye that will not heed

16. You killed your passions in their cradle
Nor in love obeyed even the beloved

17. And now when age has freed you
And frost glitters on your temples

18. And your heart surrenders, as your own life
Surrendered to grim, fearful despair

19. I see you mournfully weep
As weeps for the remote, the lonely stranger

20. You wish that youth would come again
Alas no more returns that hoary past

21. Spare your tears, my friend, and sorrow
Night is not outlasted by lamentation

22. When a thing's time has passed, no good remains
The slain needs no physician for his pain